SHROPSHIRE SHEEP 



I3S 



weigh about 225 pounds and the ewes about 175 pounds 

 when mature. Ewes yield about 8 pounds of wool and 

 rams about 1 2 pounds of wool at each clipping. 



The form of the Shropshire is that of a typical mutton 

 sheep. The most distinguishing features of the breed are 



Fig. 47. — Shropshire ewe. 



the head and face. The wool grows down over the face 

 so that the only parts of the head exposed are the ears and 

 the tip of the nose. The wool also grows down on the legs, 

 so that " Shropshire sheep are wool from the nose to the 

 toes." The ears are small, short, and straight. The 

 thickness of the wool around the head gives the ears the 

 appearance of being shorter than they really are. The 

 color of the exposed hair is dark brown and the skin is of a 

 very healthy, bright pink color. The wool, while of medium 

 thickness, is quite dense, and should have no tendency 

 to part in clusters and curls. Shropshires have straight, 

 strong, wide backs; short, wide, thick loins; and long. 



