THE SHROPSHIRE 



559 



practice, however, the Shropshire has proved to be a superior feeder 

 and produces a choice grade of mutton, though not likely to take 

 on fat with quite the smoothness and evenness of the Southdown. 



Crossbred or grade Shropshires are to-day one of the most 

 common types of mutton sheep found on the market. Shropshire 

 rams used on native ewes furnish lambs of a much-desired class ; 

 they fatten easily, are not too large, and are profitable killers. In 

 the Mississippi Valley states Shropshire grades are the common 

 sheep outside of Merino communities. A Shropshire ram-Merino 

 ewe cross is also a very 

 beneficial one from a 

 mutton point of view. 

 Used on the long-wool 

 grade ewes a smaller, 

 better mutton sheep 

 results, with a more 

 profitable fleece. In 

 1894 Alexander Bruce, 

 chief live-stock inspec- 

 tor for New South 

 Wales, wrote: "For the 

 production of prime fat 

 lambs there is no better 

 ram (if there be as good) 

 than the Shropshire, 

 and the result is equally 



favorable where that ram is put to crossbred ewes." From a 

 fleece point of view the Shropshire crossbred or grade produces 

 a class of wool much in favor and for which, other things being 

 equal, there is a great demand at the higher market price. 

 Reporting on the use of Shropshire rams on Merino ewes, Craig 

 states of the first cross that "the fleece is exceptional in the 

 degree to which it meets the demand of the market for a medium 

 combing wool. The fiber is coarser and longer than the pure 

 Merino, but these qualities in connection with its firmness and 

 strength make the fleece worth more in the market." 



The Shropshire as a grazing sheep ranks but fair. It is espe- 

 cially adapted to regions where the pastures are superior, but it 

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Fig. 258. Front view ot the Shropshire ram Brough- 

 tons 2532 in field condition. Owned by the Ohio 

 State University. From photograph by the author 



