73 
Shropshire Sheep. 
prize at the London Smithfield Show), formed the most even 
pen in the show. The five weighed eighty-two stones. 
From 1857-63 several fresh names had been added to the 
successful list of breeders, including Lord Whnlock, Lord 
Dartmouth, Mr. G. A. May, Mr. J. Coxon, and Mr. Thomas 
Mansell, of Adcott, who won prizes at the Birmingham Christmas 
Show in 1863 ; and Mr. John Coxon, Mr. J. H. Sheldon and 
Mr. Thomas Horley, junr., who were in the Prize List at 
Warwick, 1859. Mr. Coxon sold his ram, Juvenile 8th, for 
£100 to go to Ireland. 
It is only stating a truism to say that the breed is much valued 
and widely spread over the earth’s surface, and it would be well 
to consider how it has gained this extraordinary popularity. 
Favourable points. — 150 to 175 lambs per 100 ewes is the 
usual average. A recent return from 11,666 ewes gave 168 
lambs per 100 ewes. 
The ewes good mothers. — Shropshire ewes are excellent 
nurses, and nature has endowed them with great milk-yielding 
properties. 
Wool properties. — The Shropshire sheep cuts a heavy fleece 
of wool of the most marketable description, being of good 
staple, fine in texture and very dense, with small loss in scour 
and always readily saleable. Average weight of fleece for 
whole flock 7-8 lb. Individual fleeces much more. Shearling 
rams up to 18 lb. Shearling ewes up to 13 lb. 
Adaptability to various soils and climes. — The most 
ubiquitous sheep extant, in every County in England the Shrop- 
shire sheep flourishes, also in the Highlands of Scotland, the 
humid climate of Ireland, and in the mountainous districts of 
Wales, frequently at an altitude of 1,000 ft. above the sea level. 
The Shropshire also thrives and does well in the United 
States, Canada, South America, Russia, France, Germany, the 
Australian Colonies, South Africa, Jamaica, and the Falkland 
Isles, and indeed in every part of the world. 
Early maturity. — If well cared for the wethers are fit for 
the butcher at 10 to 12 months old, and that on a moderate 
consumption of food. Shropshire Lambs mature very early 
as fat lambs, and the Shropshire cross for the fat lamb trade 
cannot be beaten. Throughout Australia, Tasmania, and New 
Zealand, the Shropshire ram is largely used for this special 
purpose with wonderful results. 
Constitution and hardihood. — The breed is notoriously 
sound in constitution, and capable of withstanding extreme 
variations of heat and cold, and is one of the most hardy breeds 
in existence. 
Quality of mutton. — The mutton of the Shropshire is rich in 
flavour, close in grain, juicy, and contains a large percentage of 
