b6Q = 300 
Practical Agriculture. 
to grey on the jaw ; and the legs are darker than the face. A 
light neck, unlevel back, spine not straight, upright shoulders 
flat ribs, and light rump, are defects in the original stock whicl 
have been replaced by the very converse of each ; and the Shrop 
shires are now noted for their symmetry, their grand backs, an( 
their heavy legs of mutton. They carry fleeces of closer-set fin' 
Weights and wool, longer in staple than that of the Southdowns. In goo( 
Wool. flocks the wool averages 6 to 8 lbs. per fleece ; hoggs clip 
ping up to 12 or 14 lbs. Shropshire shearlings commonly weigl 
20 lbs. or more per quarter ; and two-shears are fed up ti 
40 lbs. or more per quarter. 
They are more prolific than perhaps any other breed, excep 
the Dorsets, the ewes dropping at least one-half twins ; and the^ 
suckle better than any sheep of larger breed. They are hardv 
and particularly adapted for enduring a wet climate. Thougl 
not specially meritorious on the ground of early maturitv, the 
yield flesh of close texture and fine flavour ; their mutton, forth' 
intermixture of fat and rich dark colour, being equal to that o 
Locality. the Southdowns. The breed has extended very rapidly of lati 
years in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcester 
shire, Herefordshire, and the midland counties ; has been esta 
blished in Leicestershire and Yorkshire, and very successfully ii 
Ireland ; while rams are sent into many counties for improvin; 
inferior breeds and for crossing, to raise lambs for the butchei 
Shropshires are the principal sheep at Shrewsbury and othe 
fairs and markets in Shropshire and Staffordshire, and at th( 
auctions of Mr. W. G. Preece, of Shrewsbury, and Messrs 
Lythall and Clarke, of Birmingham. Rams at the private sale 
fetch exceedingly high prices. Among the principal breeder 
now may be named. Lord Chesham ; Mr. T. Mansell, of Ercal 
Park ; Mr. John Evans, of Ufiington ; Mr. J. Coxon, of Freeford 
Mr. E. Crane, of Shrawardine ; iNIr. T. Nock, of Sutton Mad 
dock ; Mr. R. H. Masfen, of Pendefcnd ; Mrs. Beach, o 
Brewood ; Lord Wenlock ; Mr. J. Pulley, of Lower Eaton 
Mr. T. Fenn, of Ludlow : Mr. H. Townshcnd, of Caldicote 
]\Ir. C. Byrd, of Littywood ; Mrs. Smith, of Sutton Maddock 
Mr. W. Orme Foster, of Apley Park ; Mr. H. J. Sheldon, o 
Shipston-on-Stour ; and Mr. S. C, Pilgrim, of Hinckley. 
Dorset Hoi ncJ. Dorset Homed. — The native breed having been driven out o 
the chalk-region of Dorsetshire by the more thrifty Southdowi 
and West Country Down, is found, for the most part, at th< 
western end of the county on the fertile oolite and sand-loam soil; 
with their good upland pastures, also on the rich sheep-pasture; 
of southern Somerset, and scattered along the Dorsetsliire vale; 
which ar(? ever green with water-meadows. The modern or ini' 
proved Dorset sheep has descended from the original breed — ne»t 
