Classing and General " Get-up " of Wool.

Otago Witness, Issue 2069, 19 October 1893, Page 7

Classing and General " Get-up " of Wool.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — In connection with your article on matted or cotted and dingy wool in last week's Farm pages, the following quotation from a circular just issued by me may be of interest :—: —

Many farmers do not realise that wool is sold at per lb, and that consequently sd per 1b on even one bale runs into money, also_ that anything objectionable appearing in a bale induces a buyer at once to view it suspiciously, and in most instances reduce his valuation. He prefers this course to examining it carefully, as his time during the wool season is limited. If a farmer, therefore, wants to make the most of what wool he has, he must in the first place see that his barn is in every respect clean before shearing ; this is very important, for chaff and straw are especially objectionable to the eyes of a buyer. The next feature is the importance of a good table on which to spread the fleece, so that the locks may fall through and never be rolled up in it; in fact if the fleece is well "picked up" and "thrown," this difficulty is not hard to get over. These few remarks apply to any "shed," but the following, with regard to skirting and classing, without doubt the most important features of all, must be read to apply principally at any rate to small clips, where a farmer has no chance of making many clashes of his wool. Firstly, I would advise that the skirting be done lightly, but if necessary heavily, for on no account should any rotted, yoke-stained, or dirty pieces be rolled up with the fleece, udlcsp, of course, the lleece is more or less in such a state all through, when it should be kept out. Before many sheep are shorn the farmer should be able to decide what skirting is necessary and act accordingly, taking care that all fleeces are skirted alike. Then with regard to classing, it is better, if possible, to pack none till the last sheep is shorn, for by so doing he can arrange to make the three, four, or five bales, as the case may be, hold all he has. No doubt in some cases the bales would be very heavy and in some light, but a decided advantage is always gained by having a clip contained in full bales. I know there are many difficulties in " cutting " the clip out so neatly, but they can be overcome, and it is decidedly to the farmeis' interests to overcome them. Every endeavour should be made to put pieces, bellies, and locks -provided, of course, there is not a bale of each— in one separate bale from the fleece, even if it be necessary to skirt a little heavier to bring this about, for a foreign buyer never cares to handle a mixed bale I would much sooner, however, see fleece wool and pieces come to hand in one bale than half a bale of each, but if this be necessary the pieces should be carefully sorted and the scraps put in a bag or half-bale with the locks. Following this I would advise a little more care in the packing, so that the fleeces are not torn about too much, also that new bales be used in preference to second-hand ones, bearing some distinct brand aud numbered, but no mention as to what is contained in the bale, full advice per letter being much better. The sewing should be done with seaming and never with binding twine ; if the latter, threads are sure to get into the wool when opening it out for sale. Bags of wool should also be avoided as much as possible, for foreign buyers never attend these bales. In conclusion, I would again draw attention to the fact that the above is only written to those whose experience has been limited, and while hoping that some at least may benefit from the reading of it, would strongly impress upon every farmer the advisability of making what parcel of wool he may have to forward ds "taking" in appearance and general "get-up" as he possibly can. — I am, &c, William E. Reynolds. Dunedin, October 16.

have been the cause of a great deal of correspondence from then until now in the Canterbury papers, with no prospect of any unanimous settlement of the question. A great number of sheep men have expressed their opinions, and of course they are all at variance, though the reasons put forward in support of each individual opinion are apparently sound and good. The fact is, however, as I believe I remarked some time ago, when Mr John Roberta's paper was under discussion, a certain breed of sheep or a certain crossbreed or type o? sheep suits one man's requirements, and he, noting that fact, becomes much pleased with his sheep and with himself, and is, naturally, prejudiced to a great extent in favour of the breed or type he possesses. He is convinced that because his sheep suit his farm and bring him good returns they are the most profitable sheep that anybsdy can keep, and upon the first opportunity he goes into print to proclaim that fact. Probably, however, the same paper, or perhaps the same column, that contains his triumphant letter also contains other letters written in a similar strain by other sheep men who are quite firmly convinced that the sheep they advocate are the sheep par excellence, and so on ad injinitum. And that is what the whole matter really amounts to — namely, that the sheep that are suitable for the soil and situation of a farm and the ideas and method of management of the owner or occupier of Chat farm, are the right sheep in the right place, but if those sheep were forced upon a farmer with entirely different ideas, and who is farming under entirely different conditions, he would probably be prejudiced against those sheep and just aa strongly prejudiced in favour of some other breed. Therefore what one man swears by is another man's pet aversion, and in spite of all the correspondence each sheep man will stick to his favourite breed, and perhaps consider all the others asses for not agreeing with him in thinking that breed superior to all others for profit and utility.

It is the custom in the old country not to dock

or castrate early lambs intended for market at an early age in order to secure top prices when

Castrating Lnmbs.

lamb is a scarce delicacy, and the plan is also adopted here under similar circumstances, and wisely too, for it is quite unnecessary to castrate lambs that are to go to the butcher before they have attained an age which imparts a strong flavour to the meat and renders it objectionable. There is no doubt that castration and tailing cause a great shock to the nervous system and must therefore cause a check to the lamb's progress for a time, and if this check can be avoided without any disadvantage in other respects it is plainly advisable to do so. With regard to the

tion. If there is a deficiency of nitrogen the pease will have an excess of cellulose or vegetable tissue, and they will not boil soft. In the English markets it is the practice to boil a sample of pease before buying the bulk ; while Continental pease are always taken without any such test. They appear to understand the matter better on the Continent. There is a good market for poase both within the colony and outside, and if successfully grown of good marketable quality this crop will pay well. Agiucoia.