Why didn't Saruman go to the Shire to take the Ring?

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

1). My memory may be failing, but I don't recall that Radagast ever told Saruman the Nine were seeking 'the Shire.'

He did. Radagast told Gandalf:

"I have been told that wherever they go the Riders ask for news of a land called Shire."

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

2) On the other hand, it's amazing that over the course of sixty years Saruman and his intelligence network had never heard the tale of "Mad Baggins," and put two and two together.

THAT is amazing indeed. A certain plothole.