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of fat lambs forward. Tie season, this year in the Canterbury District was not ideal for the production of fat lambs. In the early spring months the pastures were kept in a moist conditions by incessant rains, and in the latter end of the season an abundant growth of soft watery grasses was in evidence and neither condition is suitable for the production of fat lambs. On this account the number of fat lambs coming forward to the freezing-works was considerably less than for some years past. Those which did come forward were not in as good condition as formerly, and a larger proportion than usual were graded as second grade. Parasitic Gastritis.—This complaint was fairly prevalent during last winter in practically all sheep districts throughout the Auckland Province. It was also seen in the Wellington District and Marlborough, and in a few instances fairly heavy mortality resulted. The wet winter was largely responsible for this. Advice as to the treatment and management of the flocks was given in all cases. In those instances where flockowners adopt preventive measures for the control of the parasite they are not troubled by losses to the same extent. Liver-fluke. —During the winter a considerable amount of trouble occurred in \ihe Hawke's Bay District on account of sheep being infested with this parasite. Instructional work in fluke-control has been continued during the year, including drainage, the dressing of swampy lands, and the dosing of sheep. Owners are adopting the instructions given, and are deriving considerable benefit therefrom. The work will be continued during the coming season. Lice. —During the past season there has been an increase in the number of sheep exposed for sale affected with lice. This was more particularly in the North Island, and far too many prosecutions had to be taken. No doubt the dry season and the consequent shortage of water was to some extent accountable for this. Still, it would appear that the dipping had been carried out in a more or less perfunctory manner, and was done more to comply with the Act than to rid the flocks of these parasites. If the practice of exposing lousy sheep for sale is to be stopped—and it is my intention to see that this is done—more stringent measures will have to be taken. The ordinary prosecution does not seem sufficient to stop the practice. In future it is intended to stop the sale of all lice-infected sheep, to be followed by a prosecution, and in the case of second or subsequent offences a heavy penalty will be asked for. Renal Congestion in Lambs.—A few cases of this trouble can be observed in all sheep-farming districts throughout New Zealand, but, with the exception of Central Otago, Southland, Oamaru, Timaru, and other parts of Canterbury, the mortality does not assume proportions which may be considered serious. In these districts, however, the mortality in many instances is of such a nature as to seriously interfere with the returns obtained by the farmer, who, I may add, is looking to the officers of the Division for some measure of relief. Officers have been working strenuously for the past two seasons with a view to elucidating the cause. So far, however, the major part, of the investigations have been negative. From the experience gained it is thought that flushing the ewes before lambing with medicinal licks, green oats, &c., will afford some measure of relief, and to this end a number of experiments are being carried out by the farming community in various parts of the district. The results will be carefully observed, and should any of the methods prove satisfactory the information will be made known to all interested sheep-farmers. Dipping. —From all parts of New Zealand reports have come to hand indicating that sheep are being dipped in a careless manner, and that the dips have not answered the purpose for which they were intended—viz., freeing from lice. Under such circumstances sheepowners invariably blame the dips as being ineffective. lam satisfied that in a large majority of cases it is not the dip that is at fault, but the manner in which it is mixed or dissolved. There are a large number of dips on the market that, when properly mixed with soft water in a bath that has been thoroughly cleaned, will do excellent work in freeing the sheep from lice and ticks. If sheepowners would see that this is done, fewer complaints would be made with reference to the ineffectiveness of dips. From the Canterbury districts reports were received that a considerable amount of mortality had been observed in a number of farms among stsheep that has been recently dipped. Again the dipping-fluid was blamed. On investigation, however, it was found that it was the first mixing of the dip for the season, and the first sheep that were put through the dip were the ones to suffer. On post-mortem examination it was found that the sheep had died from inflammation of the lungs, and, in some instances, the stomach and intestines, thus clearly showing that the dip had not been thoroughly mixed, and that some of the poisonous material was floating on the top of the water and had been swallowed by the sheep. With such mixing, oven if not swallowed, there is always a liability of the sheep becoming scalded. It is to the interest of all sheepowners to see that the dip is mixed satisfactorily. Maggot-fly Infestation. —During the season this trouble was more prevalent than formerly, and has spread over a wide area. It is chiefly confined to the northern part of the South Island, but was also noticed in the Fairlie district. It is to the interest of all flockowners to see that their sheep are kept well dagged, and as free from dirt as possible during the period when the fly is active, as it is well known that filth adhering to the fleece in the shape of dags, &c., attract the fly. Careful examination and dressing the flocks at intervals is also essential. Dipping of the flocks is also a factor in its control. All carcases on the run should be destroyed. Pigs. To any one who is familiar with the pig industry of this country it is obvious that if we are to gain a place in the world's market with the products thereof we must materially alter our system in the management and feeding of this class of stock. Pigs, if properly fed and sheltered, will thrive

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