EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVEE. 605 



sion of Soutlidowu blood -vras not to be lost in a few years of time. The attention of 

 farmers who were without the unlimited range for grazing required by the more 

 exclusive wool-growing sheep, was again directed to the improvement of their flocks 

 in the production of mutton. The Southdown has shown itself well adapted to our 

 soil and climate. It was known to mature early, to be prolific, to be of a quiet dis- 

 position, and excel all other breeds in the quality of its mutton. It was believed 

 also to produce a larger proportionate amount of good meat, the fat being less, and 

 the joints smaller than any other sheep. As a mutton sheep it had always found a 

 ready market.* 



Favored by location, the flock of John Wentworth, of Chicago, was 

 comparatively exempt &om the influences that tended to scatter others 

 during the war. In 1861 he received from England two noted rams 

 bred by the Prince of Wales, which he used to good advantage in 

 improving his flock at Summit Farm. In 1872 he bought of Col. L. G. 

 Morris, of l^ew York, the imported ram Audley End, bred by Lord 

 Braybrooke, England, and whose sire and dam were from the Jonas 

 Webb flock. 



The great number taken into the State within recent years forbids 

 mention or enumeration. They have gone into nearly every section, 

 and the State has as good breeding flocks as can be found in any other 

 State of the Union. 



The Shropshires are of comparatively recent introduction into the 

 State, and have made their greatest development since 1883. The 

 climate and herbage agree with them, and they are spreading with 

 wonderful rapidity. They are believed by many to be the coming wool 

 and mutton sheep of the State — the all-purpose sheep. Tbeir carcasses 

 are larger than those of the Southdowns and their mutton but a shade 

 inferior, while their fleeces are heavier. On an average the Illinois 

 Shropshires give fleeces averaging 7 pounds, while those of the South- 

 downs weigh 6 pounds. They are hardy and good mothers. They 

 made a great stride in 1890, when the cross of a Shropshire ram on a 

 Merino ewe carried off the premium at the Chicago fat stock show for 

 the highest quality of mutton. This cross is very popular and is now 

 generally adopted. A cross of the Shropshire on the Cotswold has 

 shown some advantages. 



The experience of a Winnebago County farmer with the Shropshire 

 cross in 1888 xjresents something practical. He bought 93 ewes at $2.17 

 per head and a Shropshire ram for $25. Fifty of the ewes were grade 

 Merinos. From these he had 45 lambs, dropped in May, lost 5 and 

 sold 40 in September for $3 per head. Their average weight was 80 

 pounds. The remaining 43 ewes were grade sheep, and from them he 

 raised 44 lambs and lost none. They were dropped in March, and 34 

 were sold in July and August at $3 each. Their average weight was 

 85 pounds and they were not fat on account of drought. The sheep 

 clipped 7J pounds of wool to the head, which sold for 20 cents per 

 pound. 



* American Southdown Record, Vol, iii. 



