92 Sheep-Farming 



presented, it is clear that the chief characteristics 

 of the original Shropshire was the production of 

 a very fine quality of wool. At a meeting of a 

 farmer's club in the county of Shropshire, Mr. J. 

 Meire, the first improver of this breed, is quoted as 

 saying: "It is not attempted to be denied that the 

 Shropshire is a cross-bred sheep. The original herd 

 was horned, and the first attempt at improvement 

 was to get rid of these incumbrances ; and there is 

 little doubt that this was effected by a cross of the 

 Southdowns. This sheep was well adapted for the 

 Downs, but for the inclosures of the Shropshire 

 something more docile was required ; consequently 

 recourse was had to the Leicester." In discussing 

 the work accomplished by Mr. Meire, another writer 

 describes the source and direction of the improve- 

 ment as follows: "Mr. Meire was a good judge 

 of stock and set to work upon the coarse Shropshire, 

 going chiefly for these points — straight spine with 

 well-sprung ribs, oblique shoulders, and good rumps. 

 These points could not be obtained by cultivation 

 and selection alone, and Mr. Meire introduced the 

 Southdown, buying or hiring rams from the late Mr. 

 J. EUmann, of Glynde. Aptitude to feed, with 

 short back and chine, were derived from a cross of 

 Leicester blood introduced with great judgment. 

 Having thus obtained what he desired from us, Mr. 

 Meire endeavored to fix the same by close breeding." 

 Another authority indicates the improvement that 



