Report on the Exhibition of Live Stock at Warwick. 359 
which surprised their patrons. These improved animals were 
quickly noticed at the local fairs, and subsequently much sought 
after, especially the ewe stock, which was found to be more 
prolific than the Leicester, and this valuable property has not 
deserted them, as evidenced by the award of premiums to shep- 
herds at the late agricultural meeting, the first winner having 
reared on the 1st of July 160 lambs from 100 Shropshire ewes. 
Such has been the rapid change in their favour, that a white- 
faced ram is now almost a rarity at the local fairs or markets. 
The Shrewsbury autumn fair is the great mart for their display, 
where considerable numbers of both rams and ewes are annually 
sold by auction. Some of the best sales average from 10/. to 16Z. 
each, and in some instances 50Z. to 60/. has been given for a 
single ram ; the ewe stock of the general flocks are exceedingly 
hardy, and they continue to breed to a great age. The Shrop- 
shire fleece of wool is a good one, both as regards length, weight, 
and quality. The late Mr. J. C. Loudon, in his ' Encyclopaedia 
of Agriculture,' at p. 1049 (when speaking of the numerous 
varieties of the British sheep), suggests as a convenience the 
classing them into divisions such as these : First, as to the 
length of their wool ; secondly, as to the presence or absence of 
horns ; and thirdly, as to original locality. The latter classi- 
fication, he says, " might be made after the place or district in 
which such species are supposed to abound, to be in the greatest 
perfection, or to have originated." These suggestions have now 
received confirmation by the Society ; we had first our long and 
short wool classes, we have now a third class recognized by 
locality as " the Shropshire sheep." The breed has been 
fostered year by year by practical men and breeders, who rested 
their claim to distinction solely upon the merits of their animals, 
and at length public opinion called forth a memorial on their 
behalf, and the Society has liberally granted the petition. In 
confirmation of the popularity of the breed I may mention that 
they are also supported by influential men at a distance, viz., in 
Staffordshire, by Messrs. Masfen, Coxen, Bird, Hon. B. Curzon, 
and Major Dyott ; in Gloucestershire bv E. Holland, Esq., M.P. ; 
in Worcestershire by W. O. Foster, Esq., M.P. ; in Warwick- 
shire by Mr. T. Horley and Mrs. Baker ; in Leicestershire by 
Mr. Pil grim, and by Colonel Pennant in North Wales, Mr. 
Hamilton in Leland, &c. On reference to the entries at 
Gloucester (their first great start), Chester, and Warwick, I find 
them steadily progressing: — at Gloucester they numbered, 121 ; 
at Chester, 184 ; at Warwick, 192. 
In support of these remarks I now refer to the numerous entries 
for the local prizes ofFeied for this class of sheep. The three 
classes brought together 125 specimens, viz., 43 shearling rams, 
