SHROPSHIRES IN THE SHOW YARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2181, 19 December 1895, Page 50

SHROPSHIRES IN THE SHOW YARD.

Mr John Campbell, of Fairview Farm, Ontario, writes to the Chicago Breeders' Gazette as follows :—: — In selecting the animals entitled to the premier position in this breed, it should never be Forgotten that, first and foremost, it is mutton Mid not wool that gives them their great value. True it >s~that the exterior indicates clearly what is to be found within, but a beautiful bead will never make up for a light leg of mutton ; neither will a clear, pink skin cover jthe defects of a bare fhhback, nor a choice fleece counterbalance the want of constitution. * The ideal Shropshire has that indefinable eppe&rance which is the trade mark of the breed, guaranteeing a very high quality of flesh distributed on the frame evenly, but fully in the parts from which the most palatable, and therefore the most valuable, cuts are cat, with the other parts in such proportions as to give sufficient play to the vitaU and symmetry to the whole. It is quite possible for a good judge to select a different ram to head his flock from the one entitled in his opinion to the first place. A skilful breeder noticing tome general lack in his flock will choose the ram strong in that point to restore the proportions. This fact, I believe, sometimes leads to confntion. The best all-round sheep should be sent to th« t' p How to determine which that or.« it is th'; t»ck before vi. In imagination let us &lep into n ring where a 6core of lambs are Ted about. We first look for the typical head, and soon oar choice is one of strong masculine character, wide between the ears, good strong muzzle (what some might term coarse), ears of medium •ize, nicely Bet, evenly dark in colour, well covered with clear wool on the foreheid and tome wool down the face. The latter is a nice, 10ft, d«k es^nr — not £ooty black— aad the

white tip ou the uo«e does nut hurt h's appearance. Proc<.ed.ng to the neck it ia found not long, but strong at its bar c, well let in on the body, taperiug to the head, and great substance is found when gripped behind the ears. At the throat no b^ggy folds of skin are scea. The prominent chest, clear-oat throat, and the< elegantly-poised head form a beautiful curve. The shoulders on tho top are smooth and wide, the back ia strop g and all is fully covered with firm flesh, which is carried on tho well- sprung rib 3. The hindquarters, as viewed from the rear, are long, full, and deep, coupled low down, S3 as to foroi a good trtisb. Looked at from the side, the fulness of flesh shows itself in the rounding out of the leg, and is meat down to the hock. Th c underline is even, ths scrotum fully developed, covered with vfojl, and so is the belly. The fore flank? and chest have the spacious form which gives plenty at room to the vital organs. The leg* are short, strong, straight, and set well out, giving an elastic, springy motion when he moves about. They also are well over. The ekin is clear and healthy-looking, and the fleece is dense, uniform in texture, and when the open hand is pre : sed firmly down the back no bent is ftlb. But we must not trust to sight alone. Using the hands no stubs are found, bo lack behind the shoulders, nor any weakness of loins or neck. Everywhere the touch justifies the decision of the eye, and our choice walks proudly up to tho top, saying by his bold, majestic bearing, " I am second to none."