SHEEP FARMING- IN NATAL.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1409, 15 May 1867, Page 2

SHEEP FARMING- IN NATAL.

The following letter, addressed to an English paper, relates (o sheep farming iv the colony of Natal:— " Sir, —Your kimlnops iv drawing attention to my remarks on the South African coalfield, recently sent to you, induces rue to hope that you may feel inclined to accord similar consideration to another topic, which is scarcely of inferior interest. " The large plains of South Africa lying on the table lands beyond the seaward border of the continent have been long kuown to be valuable grazing districts; the countleea herds of antelopes and buffaloes that pritnsvally belong to them sufficiently and emphatically indicate that they are so. Oxen and sheep have taken passeaeion of them in companionship with the South African boer. But the boer idea of the utilization of these pastures is patriarchal and rude. The boer merely scatters his flocks and herds broadcast upon them, and leaves the sheep and oxen to take their chance in their almost wild form among the antelopes and buffaloes until multiplication meets its natural limits in this rude state. "In midwinter the large* herds of antelopes and buffaloes often find it convenient and profitable temporarily to move their quarters from their prairies to the lower lands near the sea. But even ten years ago these lands were held to be uninhabitable by sheep, although in some degree suitable for oxen. It is correctly stated in a recently printed colonial journal that ' ten years ago a sack of wool in the markets of Natal created a species of sensation, and was pointed at* with something approaching to derision, wiseacres asking whether anybody expected Natal would ever produce wool, and, if ifc did, whether such stuff as that would ever be looked at in the London markets ?' In those days the mutton of Natal was goat'e flesh. "In the year 1867 all this has become changed. There are now almost ' hundreds of thousands' of sheep of improved breed on the Natal hills, in some places where they can actually catch an occasional glimpse of the blue sea from the hill tops. It is found that the improved breed requires some little judgment, experience, and skill afc the hands of the flock master, and some little forethought and foresight in managing the feeding, but that under these conditions the flocks thrive eatisfactorily, and in exceptional cases even marvellously.- On the 21st of December last a public wool nhoff took place in the town hall of Blaritzburg—the capital of tho land that nobody expected ever to produce wool —a memorable event, as being the first wool show ever attempted in Natal. Sixtjr-ibur balea of washed :uid unwashed samples were submitted in competition, and the judgment of the well-qualified and experienced examiners was, that in point of quality these wools might be expected to stand fairly by the side of any wool tlmfc would be sent to the great wool n'.ioW in London next July. I enclose a small lock taken from one of the average samples. The first prize, a cup given conjointly by Mr Joseph Henduwon, of the city, and the Agricultural Society, was awarded to Mr N. , v *' Lillingstono, a gentleman who ha" been but a comparatively short titno engaged in sheepfarmiug in 2satal. Several samples, in addition to the prize bale, were selected to be sent to tho London show, and others are expected yet to come in. Similar samples will be on exhibition at Paris. " In a letter which I have just re-

""wfrom Mr Henderson, the gentle- - Pakliijr p B m X\- event, remarks, 'I was much lasod and encouraged by the results Your v.-00l show. There has been a indev'ul advance in this enterprise, n,l Treat improvement in the quality S the wool. 1 In--* to think J? + t ], o .pasture, or c-lnuuie, or both, •Vita! really iavrs the production ot ««*Am)t!<or friend who has a property • Leicestershire, who well knows what TWlish sheep are and should be, and ho iB vow-on a visit of observation ff Vjjspecium in Natal, says that he Sneurn Willi M> Henderson in believ- : " t hat the diseases which have to Zme extent affected the sheep in Natal, and other difficulties, are all mainly sne to the want of feeding during *L winter months, and that small ferma heavily stocked during summer, and provision made for winter feeding, are the things which are required. This opinion is worthy of careful note id consideration. I have myself no Joubt that the remark strikes the right C °. '«I am, Sir, yours truly, "BoBEitT James Mann, M.D., F.R.G.S., F.R.A.S., &c, Special Agent, &c, from the Government of Natal. «12, Cecil-street, Strand, Feb. 23."