BREEDING QUALITIES 



119 



the mutton breeds, but it is unusually well adapted to average con- 

 ditions with respect to feed and care. It responds well to rich 

 pastures, but it also does well where the grazing is of only average 

 quality. The Shropshire thrives on forage crops and it takes kindly 

 to the dry lot if soiling crops are available. Whether in the north 

 or south, on lowlands, hills, mountains, or semi-arid plains, it 

 grows into a pretty good Shropshire and satisfies the demand for 

 a good mutton sheep. Although the lambs grow at a fairly rapid 

 rate, they are not inclined to be as plump and firm at an early age 

 as the Southdown, one reason being that so many of them are 



Fig. 75. — Lambs by Shropshire ram in Fig. 150 and out of western ewes shown in Fig. 148. 

 These lambs are the kind that command top prices at the market. 



twins. At three months of age they average about fifty pounds 

 in weight. 



Breeding Qualities. — In prolificacy the Shropshire is unsur- 

 passed by any other widely-distributed improved breed of sheep. A 

 flock of one hundred breeding ewes will often average from one hun- 

 dred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five lambs, and even a 

 larger percentage is not uncommon. Undoubtedly this marked pro- 

 lificacy is due in no small degree to the attention given it by the 

 early improvers of the breed. At birth the lambs weigh about eight 

 pounds. As a rule the singles are considerably heavier, but the 

 average birth weight is cut down materially by the great number of 

 twins. The ewes suckle very well and the lambs are fairly strong at 



