71 
Shropshire Sheep. 
lambs and during the whole of this time she had enjoyed 
absolute immunity from foot-rot. 
To quote another instance : the dam of Beaconsfield 338, 
bred by Mr. T. Mansell and used successfully by Mr. Matthew 
Williams, was thirteen years old when this ram was born. 
Again going back to 1860, it seems clear that at that period 
several first-class flocks existed. An expert, commenting on 
the display of Shropshires at Canterbury Royal Show, 1860, 
speaks in these words : — “ Two wonderfully good rams were 
the heroes of the new class of Shropshires, and a very good class 
too. We honestly admit this grant has worked even thus early, 
far better than we expected. It has brought out men who did 
not care to send to Birmingham and Smithfield, and the world 
Head (mounted) of Worcester Patron , winner of the First Prize for all aged at 
Worcester, 1863. 
never knew how many good flocks of Shropshires there were 
till now. Mr. Holland, the Member for Worcestershire, who 
has some good sheep of his own, gave the stiff price of 126?. for 
Mr. Byrd’s first-prize ram, Canterbury Patentee 13. There were 
over 40 shearling rams and 20 others. The mere fact that such 
old established breeders as Mr. Orme Foster, Mr. Smith, of 
Sutton Maddock, and Mr. H. J. Sheldon, of Brailes, could get no 
nearer than a commendation will go to show how excellent was 
the entry, and how strong the competition.” 
The Farmers' Magazine again (1860) reiterates its opinion 
that the Shropshire is one of the most profitable and best of the 
modern breeds, and that it may be said to possess the most 
commendable points of the Southdown and Leicester breeds, 
being such a judicious commingling and blending of the two 
characters of the animals, in size and proportion, and in wool, 
