SHROPSHIRE SHEEP.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 14

SHROPSHIRE SHEEP.

We have received the fifteenth volume of the Shropshire Stieep'breedera*'< Flock 8d0k, .. cont»iniog the pjuJigreet of ram* number* ,8859 to 9326.' The" volamecontains well-efcecated photoeDgravares of several of the noted prize-winners at the 1896 shows. % " It is published under the auspices of the* Shropshire Sheep-breeders' Association and Flock Book Society. The 6ociety issues the following list of

FAVOURABLE POINTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURE SHROPSHIRE

SHEEP. i Compiled by Alfj?ei> Manseix, College Hill, Shrewsbury. / ■ "■ - ' Prolific Character.— One hundred and fifty to 175 lambsperlOO is tbe nsuataverpge — 11,666 ewes in' 1896 reared. 168 lamhs per 100 ewes. The actual produce was of course larger. The Ewes Good Mother?. — Shropshire" ewes are excellent mirees, and Nature has endowed

them with great milk-yielding properties. .;. Wool Properties— The Shropshire sheep cuts a heavy fleece of wool of the most marketable description, being of good staple, fine 4n t'tpxture, and very dense, and is alwajs readily saleable. ■ Adaptability to Various Soils and Climes. — Tte'^most übiquitous "sheep rxtant, in every county in England the Shropshire sheep flourishes, also in the Highlands of Scotland, the humid climate of .Ireland, and themountainous districts of Wales, frequently at an altitude of lOOOFtr above sea level. The Shropshirealso thrives and dot's well in the United States, Canada, South America, Russia, France, Germany, .the Australian coloniep, South Africa, Jamaica^ and the Falkland Isles, and indeed in every part of the

world. > Early "Maturity.— lf ' well cared for tbe wttherj are fit for the butcher at 10. to 12 months old, and that on a moderate consumption of food comparedwith other breeds. Shropshire lambs mature very early as fat lambs, and -the Shropshire cross for the fat lamb Ir&de eanuotbebeateu. . . Constitution and Hardihood.— The breed i%

notoriously.sound in constitution, and capableof withstanding extreme variations of heat and cold, and is one of the most hardy breeds in existence. The writer in the year 11)96 saw a Shropshire ewe 19 years old, hale and hearty, having reared 33 lambs, and herself enjoying absolute immunity from foot-rot during the whole period. ■^Quality of Mutton.— The mutton of the Shropshire is rich in flavour, close in grain, juicy, and contains a large percentage of lean meat, and commands the highest price in the London, Manchester, Liverpool, and all the principal markets in Great Britain.

Docile Character and Economic Consumers. — The Shropshire is a placid and contented animal, not given to roaming and trampling down pastuiage, and has the special aptitude to make the best of the food at hand, and to produce mutton at a minimum-of cost. ■ [Note. — These characteristics are conveyed to the Shropshire crosses in a remarkable degree.] General Purpose Sheep.— Shropshire sheep tave rapidly increased in favour in all the Australian colonies, and combining 'as they do the most desirable points' (from a wool and mutton point of view) to a greater extent than any other breed, with the minimum of -objectionable features, they' have obtained an eminent and permanent positioa in the estimation of sheepbreeders all over the world. In fact, they meet ■ all the requirements of the present day as a . successful general purpose sheep, and are there- . Core very profitable to farmers and graziers. The Shropshire', has been. largely bred for crossing purposes to produce freezers, with splendid results. The Shropshirfrmerino cross produces a fine sheep, Vnd is preferred by many who have tried it to any other cross. The half bred is. a fleep, equare-set *beep, well covered with a fine '. dose fleece which gives a high percentage of ~ clean sconred wool, and commands a comparatively high price, whilst the sheet) are hardy and

;en to nice handy weights at a v«ry early

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

An outbreak of a strange disease among horses and c&ttle in,, the Aucklsnd goldflelds district was rej orfced to the Stock department, and Mr Park, Government veterinary surgeon, accompanied by Mr Ross, stock inspector, proceeded to Paeroa to investigate. Thirteen cases were inspected, bub happily no new or contagious disease was unearthed. The butter shipment forwarded to London by the lonic on. Saturday is probably the largest yet taken in a single bottom from the colony. The total quantity was 16,703 boxes and 743 kegs, and the contributions of the-various porbn were as follow : — Auckland 1339 boxes and 683 kegs, Lyttelton 1198 boxes, Wellington 14,166 boxes and 60 kegs. The entries for the forthcoming Canterbury A. and P. Association show Lumber 1747, made up as follows :<— Sheep, 626 ; cattle, 133 ; horses, 205 ; pigs, 42 ; sheep dog«, 11 ; dairy produce. 103 ; cured and preserved meats, 35 ; eeeds, 15 ; New Zealaud manufactures, 16 ; implements and machinery. 500 ; carriages, 60. In addition 28 tents, filled mostly with colonial manufactures. Last year tba total was 1818 There is an increase in sheep and cattle, but a falling off in horse.*. An agricultural society has been formed in Lawrence, and the first show, will .probably be held on the Domain.

The Wellington dairy people are up in arms against the exclusion of their produce from the lonic. A numcer of them held a meeting at the Carteiton show, and passed a resolution drawing attention to their treatment, and asking the Government to assist the dairy • .mjjinies in future shipments. We (North Obago Times) have been shown 15 fair-sized early potatoes from two haulms, grown this season on Dr de Lautour's ground. The potatoes were planted on the 3rd September, and have thus been grown in uiue weeks. The potatoes look very tempting, and are the variety known as the Star of Heading. This potato is evidently one of the earliest malurirg potatoes in cultivation. The Onmaru Mail of the sth cays :— " Three bulls were sent* away from here by yesterday's north expres' en route For Sydney. These were selected by the New Zealand . Govercment on behalf of the New South Wale's Government for breed itig-purpojseS;^: After .vnjspectingthe^jfE^ "rent herds of thWtfMtrict, one animal' was enoifen from Mr^- Gemmell's ,sfce,cij£- tlie bulj w.hic.h secured the first honoursj.,at the Chrißtcliut'ch chow last years*sa two-yeafcold.'- Theiother j I two" were t»kj<ijEv.from Mesura-Ro'dgerWn and .Fleming's sto'clrf^nd were also^bred by Mr i 1 James GemmeK.? These were" thrce-year-olde,' i and were awarded the secondhand third 1 prizes j also at Cbristchurch' last jear. The Lulls left i ,hf re- in fine condition, having succesrf ully i pasted a careful test for tuberculosis."