File:Sheep, breeds and management (1893) (14595297058).jpg

Identifier: sheepbreedsmanag00wrig (find matches)
Title: Sheep, breeds and management
Year: 1893 (1890s)
Authors: Wrightson, John
Subjects: Sheep
Publisher: London, Vinton
Contributing Library: UMass Amherst Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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will leantowards the particular type which he has always studied,and believes to represent perfection. The consequence maybe that an animal is decorated which, however excellent,is not a characteristic sheep of his own particular breed. Astudent of live stock naturally asks himself what are thedifferences between two breeds which resemble each otherso closely that the catalogue must be consulted before hecan be certain as to where one class ends and the otherbegins. Many breeds are very similar, and others are chieflyto be recognised by the style of trimming, shaving, or colour-ing in which they appear in a showyard. Still there are,differences which reveal themselves to closer observationand which require to be pointed out. As an example of suchdifference let us take, in the first place Oxfords and Shropshires.Breeders might well say that these two breeds are dis-tinctly different from each other, but a novice might find itexceedingly difficult to express what these differences are.
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LEICESTERS AND LINCOLNS. IO5 If the heads are closely observed it will be seen that theShropshire sheep has a rounder profile, and is more com-pletely clothed with wool towards his nose and mouth. Hislegs are also woolled down to his feet in great profusion—the general appearance of the head suggesting the Merino.The ears are still more characteristic, for they are short,thin, and rounded, and often light coloured at the tips. TheOxford ear is longer and thicker, and shows the origin of thebreed from Hampshire and Cotswold parentage. The faceof the Oxford is more wedge-shaped, the muzzle and lips arethicker, and the nostrils are more expanded. The face ofthe Oxford is more varied in colour, from rich brown to thesame with splashes of light grey. The ear is the most strik-ing point of difference, and the contrast between the largeand bold ear of the Oxford and the rounded, short ear ofthe Shropshire is very marked. Many Shropshire sheep atPlymouth exhibited folds of skin about the th

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