ON THE LAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3952, 7 June 1913, Page 3

ON THE LAND.

FARM AND STATION.

SHEEP-BREEDING.

In the course of an interesting article on ‘■"Sheep-Breeding” in the current number of the “Journal of Agriculture,” Mr J. L. Bruce says : The fact that the ram in the dominating factor in deciding the destiny of the flock suggests to* those entering upon pastoral pursuits, or to some who may have fallen victims to the results of indiscriminate mating, the importance of the question how to select a ram. A few points regarding some of the most popular breeds and crosses is given at the end of this article, but a few of the more important features bearing'on the selection of flock rams of any breed might be given here, viz. : The ram should be purebred and true to type, with a strong, bold carriage ; of a decidedly masculine character, showing marked individuality and uniformity; of a- medium-sized build without a tendency to be undersized- well set on his legs, indicating strength and thriftiness well ribbed up, with deep full quarters and welldeveloped thigh% both inside and outside. The head should be decidedly masculine, being at the same time clean and full of character, and should be carried on a powerful neck, well set into the shoulders. A weak neck should never be tolerated. The eyes should be bright and reasonably prominent, with nothing sluggish in their appearance; in short, he should be a ram, every inch of him. The wool should show density of fibre, good length of staple, and be of as uniformquality all over the body as can be expected, with as little tendency to coarseness about the thighs as possible. Every ram should be carefully examined before purchase for the presence of hair on any part of the body and promptly rejected if showing signs of kemp. Never buy an old ram.

A Particular Breed must have a Suitable Environment. A factor to which importance will have to be attached is the allocating of the different breeds of sheep to country to which they are naturally .adapted, and the reservation of suitable areas upon which they can be profitably bred. Take, for example, the Merino, which has been (and in the writer’s opinion there is nothing yet in sight to take its particular place) the foundation of our export trade in wool, and to some extent in that of mutton: As already mentioned the Merino is steadily decreasing in numbers, two of the chief causes possibly being the subdivision of suitable pastoral country for closer settlement, and that half-breds bring better prices. Fortunately for the future maintenance of the Merino as the foundation of southern commercial flocks, large areas of the back country in. the South eminently suitable for this breed are unsuitable for closer-settlement purposes, and, so far as one can see, will always remain the home of the Merino. If so, this will be-to some extent the means of conserving this valuable sheep, and make it obtainable at prices within the reach of the lowcountry sheep-farmer who looks to it to renew his crossbred flock. With careful adjustment of areas according to carrying-capacity and proper allocation of the flocks according to their natural requirements, the pastoral lands of the Dominion will always be the nursery of our mutton, and wool industry. Next in order come the small grazing-runs of the South Island with their half-breds, and in the North the Romney and Lincoln crosses; next the semi-pastoral areas of second-class lands with the class of crossbreds favored in the respective Islands, lands with considerable fattening capabilities ; and next, and last, the first-class lands and purely agricultural areas, which are essentially the centre of the fat-lamb industry, the .fatteningground of our frozen mutton and the home of the long-woolled stud flocks. Under the above process a steady migration of the flocks is taking place, each class of country fulfilling its part in this great national industry; and with careful selection and mating at the hands of owners there need be no pessimistic apprehensions concerning its future.

Systems of Crossing Recommended^ For the information of the more or less inexperienced sheep-farmer, the following is a list of a few crosses which may assist as a guide of what to do and what not to do: —

A profitable and popular form of mating sheep for comparatively dry southern pastoral country: Purebred English Leicester, Border Leicester, or Linc'oln ram to purebred Merino ewes- —progeny half-bred. Half-bred ewes put to English Leicester, Border Leicester, or Lincoln; ram (continue with ram of same as in original cross) —progeny crossbred. For purely flock purposes continue on these lines. The progeny of the Lincoln ram make good commercial sheep, but unless the ewes are exceptionally strong and ‘‘'roomy” a heavy deathrate at lambing is almost inevitable. To keep up a crossbred Hock a number of half-bred ewes should be bred every year, as after several crosses the progeny will have lost its more mraked Merino characteristics to a considerable extent. “Come-backs” : Some flock-owners seem to have been fairly successful in what is known as the “come-back” system—that is, when Merino ewes have been unobtainable, to use a Merino ram on well-bred ewes which have practically lost their Merino characteristics. This is generally recognized as crossing the wrong way, and to be adopted successfully requires the very greatest of skill-and care in culling. In the more moist hill country of the North Island a Romney Marsh ram should be used in place of those breeds recommended for dry country. The fact should be emphasised here that the Romney to be used in such cases should be of the dense-woolled active type. Romneys or Lincolns, comparatively .pure,, are particularly adapted for heavy low country, especially in a fairly moist climate. Judging from present indications, the former-breed of sheep, owing to its marvellous adaptability to conditions vastly differ-; ent to. its original habitat* is possibly, destined to be the predominating

breed in many districts of the Dominion, more particularly »<j in the North Island.

Purebred Shrops. Downs, and other dark-faced breeds are excellent sheep oni suitable country; and to breeds of this type, mated with crossbred ewes, the high standard of our frozen mutton, especially lamb, is largely due; but great care should be taken to see that none of these crosses are cllowect to remain in the flock for breeding purposes.

Jiiidiscriminate crossing: should be avoided, and those who may find it necessary to purchase breeding ewes should avoid saleyard lots unless breeding and history is guaranteed. Any breeder mating his sheep promiscuously will in a very short time find that his flock will have deteriorated into, a mediocre one, however good it may originally have been. His only remedy, then, is to make a clean sweep and commence afresh. Ryeland sheep (the “white-faced Down) are not generally known in this country, but are proving themselves admirably adapted l for present-day requirements, and give excellent results for crossing purposes in connection with the fat-lamb andi frozen-mutton industry when it is considered that wool must always remain a dominant requirement. The Oorriedale is every year evolving steadily into a more fixed type, and is already regarded by many flockowners as a distinct breed. It is a good sheep for all-round purposes, suited for either semi-pastoral or agricultural country with a moderately dry climate.

POINTS FOR INTENDING SHEEPFARMERS :

How to Commence and Continue. After noting the quality and condition of the soil upon which the sheep are to depasture, and: carefully observilig its aspect and its natural and climatic conditions, the intending sheep-farmer, to be successful, should decide definitely which breed of sheep will best suit the country, at the same time firmly fixing upon an ideal type and also should •determine never to forget the one essential to success—namely, don’t overstock. A rule which should also se remembered is to frequently change, where possible, tli© sheep from one paddock to another. A permanent supply cf fresh water is essential. Careful observance of these details will largely prevent parasitic ailments, and ensure a- healthy flock with a minimum death-rate. Important as these points are, however, it is on breeding and, judicious feeding that the main success of the sheep-farmer must depend. Having sheep suitable to his environment, culling heavily to maintain, type ami constitution, and managing them to advantage, he will within a few years find himself in possession of a flock to be proud of, and one which will redound both to his own credit and to that of the industry.

AUSTRALIAN MEAT IN AMERICA. The persistence of the anxious public, coupled with the patriotic endeavors to foster Australian, trade on the part of Mr P. E. Quinn, representative of New South Wales, and Mr F. T. A. Fricke, Victorian Commissioner for Canada and the United -States, has, says the San Francisco correspondent of the “S.M. Herald,” compelled the San Francisco Board of Health to unbend and withdraw all opposition to Australian imports for sale in the California metropolis. The belated withdrawal' has struck a blow at the American Meat Trust, and the way has been cleared for the distribution of Australian meat in San Francisco, with a consequent reduction of from 20 to 30 per cent, in meat prices to the consumers. The Board of Health virtually withdrew all opposition to the sale of meat when City Attorney Long—the chief official legal authority of San Francisco—submitted an opinion that the meat could not be barred if it conforriied to the requirements of the Board in stamping and certification, and if it passed Federal inspection. • Fifty members cf the Retail Butchers’ Association of San Francisco met at the Knights of Pythias Hall at San Francisco-, and pledged themselves to do all in their power to bring; about the unrestricted sale of Australian meat. Mr Fricke was present at the meeting of the Board and later at the Association gathering, and pledged his Government to- enforce strict conformity to the local requirements regarding methods of killing, packing, and shipping. To assist in the distribution of the Australian meat in an Francisco, it is proposed to establish a large meat store for the exclusive sale of Australian meat on the lines of similar shops already so successful all over England.