72 
Slirop s hire S keep . 
as to produce a kind second *to none in every phase of their 
character. They are exceedingly prolific, possess handsome and 
large frames, come early to maturity, are very hardy, and yield 
a great weight, both of wool and mutton, both exceedingly good 
in quality. This breed is ako extending itself over a large tract 
of country, and is fast becoming not only a very numerous but 
a very important breed of sheep. 
It is also worthy of note that at the Essex Agricultural 
Show held at Witham in 1863, Mr. F. Smith, of West Hanning- 
field, won the first prize of 5 1. for Shropshire Shearling rams 
in a class where Shropshires and Oxfords competed ; that in 
a class of five ewes of any breed that have reared lambs, 
Mr. H. Moss was placed second with a pen of Shropshires, and 
that in a class for wool, Mr. F. Smith, who showed Shropshire 
wool, was only beaten by Mr. Charles Sturgeon’s merino. 
Referring to published reports of some of the principal 
shows commencing, in 1856, we find Shropshires have even 
then been extensively exhibited and were rapidly coming into 
public favour. The Farmer's Magazine commenting on the 
Birmingham Fat Cattle Show in 1856, says the sheep show was 
not a large one, but with good pens of Shropshires as usual. 
Mr. S. C. Pilgrim, Burbage, Hinckley, near Leicester, won first 
prize and the silver medal for three fat wethers, the other 
prizewinners including the Earl of Aylesford and Mr. H. 
Smith, junr., whilst the Right Hon. Robert Curzon, of Hagley, 
near Rugeley, was commended. 
The writer goes on to say he specially admired Mr. Henry 
Smith’s first prize wethers exceeding twenty-two months for 
their splendid quality of meat, broad chines and full plaits, 
wonderfully good loins and rumps. 
In Ireland about the same period Shropshires were being 
exhibited at the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of 
Ireland and the Royal Dublin Society’s Show by Mr. C. W. 
Hamilton, of Dunboyne, Mr. Peter Broughton, of Kells, Mr. L. 
W. Lambart, Beau Parc, Mr. L. H. King Harmara and Lord 
Londonderry, Lt.-Col. Tottenham, Mr. C. H. Hamilton, Mr. Tuite 
and Mr. Atkinson. 
Shropshires were first recognised by the London Smithfield 
Club in 1861, but numerically they were poorly represented, 
and all the prizes fell to Mr. Holland, of Dumbleton, Evesham, 
and Mr. W. 0. Foster. They are described as undeniably fine 
animals with great expansive frames and all the evidence of 
vigour both in the touch and wool. 
At the International Fat Stock Show held at Poissy, France, 
in the same year the report of the meeting commenting on the 
sheep classes says : — Save for one middling animal, Mr. Edward 
Holland’s first prize pen of Shrops. (which also won the first 
