NOTES FOR GRAZIER AND DEALER.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9030, 16 February 1895, Page 9

NOTES FOR GRAZIER AND DEALER.

B_ Straggler.. "W T eefcly Press."

Mr Reginald Foster writes:—-I notice that at tbe recent Hawke's Bay ram fair, Lincolns brought fair prices, while Lelces* ters and Downs—the sheep which have perhaps done the most towards helping Canterbury to maintain her premier position in the frozen meat trade—were scarcely looked at. The same thing occurred at Sydney last year. In ray opinion this is a matter of congratulation to onr sheep owners, whatever it may be to studbreeders, for at one time it was feared that onr best rams would go to Australia or the North Island, leaving our local breeders the option of taking the second pick or having to pay exceptionally high prices for first-class sheep. This, together with Otgft present system of freezing the lambs, would in evitably have£Hlted in the gradual deterioration flocks, and Canterbury mutton ~*Hpl' no longer be known as such. The pWcea given for Leicester and Downs do not offer sufficient inducement for studbreeders to send away their best sheep, for they can do quite as well here; it is therefore satisfactory to know that our breeders can obtain really high class sheep at Home, as anyone may see who takes the trouble to visitsome of the best stud flocks. Only a few days ago I had an opportunity of seeing Mr Joseph Haydon's flock of two-tooth and lamb rams. His English Leicesters, out of ewes from his long established pure flock by Hoon Hay rams, are a well grown even lot of square framed, level topped, open chested and short legged sheep, well clothed with wool. The Shropahlres, out of pure ewes by Mr C. Lewis' rams, are also pictures of symmetry. Brought up on grass, they have not been pampered, and are as sound and healthy as stud sheop ought to be. While our flockmasters have such rams to choose from, are prepared to pay a fair price—for cheap rams are no economy—and only do justice to the progeny there need be no fear of our losing our good name for mutton and lamb.

From a reliable source I gather that the large line of Glenmark freezers recently purchased by Mr W. B. Clarkson were put through at Belfast on Monday. My informant, who is a well-known expert, describes the sheep as the very best line (of any size of course) that he has seen during his long experience in tbe meat trade ot Canterbury. This is a compliment indeed, and Glenmark, its owner and its manager, may well be proud of such criticism.

A correspondent sends mc a lengthy letter in reply to "Dilemma's" query of last week. He says :—" Your correspondent asks to my mind a very nasty question. I say nasty because it is unanswerable, and carries a nasty inference with it. Who can tell what will happen if a man does not enter? Not lat any rate; but this I can say that in a few years if the Flock Book be a great success (and I believe it will) the man who is not represented in the official record of the colony will certainly not look pleased!, Everything must have a beginning. Why not let us all combine and try for success. The public are, and always will be, the judges of a sheep's merit, and the question must necessarily be left to them. . j

The remaining portion of my friend's letter is too lengthy for publication and he repeats a great many arguments in favour of the flock book that have already seen tbe light of day. However, he concludes very nicely When he says:—" I am told the North Islanders are working together most amicably. Let ns in the south sink our very petty differences and do likewise." *■"* . :, x ; '

At a meeting of the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association the other day a very interesting discussion on tbe present merits of stock inspection took place. Mr B. D. D. M'Lean drew attention to the fact that the inspection of stack was at present Inadequate. The Department was under-manned. An inspection ot cattle as well as sheep was necessary.-- Mr iWaterworth, the 1 local- Inspector, had spoken to him on the subject. lie thought an inspector should be accompanied by a qualified veterinary surgeon on his visit of Inspection, and locate cases of cancer and other diseases. Mr M'Lean considered that the attention ot the Stock Department should be called to the present insufficient Inspection available . where apparent disease required immediate attention, and that in most eases a local veterinary surgeon at a moderate fee Is quite competent to give an opinion which will allow of stock being dealt with without delay. He would move to that effect.

Mr Carhwright Brown stated that there was a good.deal of imagination in some alleged cases ot cancer. Some time back Mr Waterworth reported to the Borongh Council that there were f onr cases of harm* less disease' in the district, and next morning the Herald published a startling article headed "Cancer in Cows." A number of people were alarmed, not know* log the difference. As Mr M'Lean had observed; they paid too much in the rates for a small return, and he thought it was absolutely necessary that an expert in diseases shpuld be appointed. It could not be expected that Mr Waterworth shonld be a veterinary surgeon as well as inspector. The matter was ventilated at last Conference, and it was there proposed

that every inspector appointed should be in addition a duly qualified veterinary surgeou. But this was impossible. It was too large an order. He would second the motion.

Capt. Bussell as usual brought into the discus-ion something of a practical character and said he was of opinion that the whole of the stock industry was grossly neglected. There was a big death rate in both cattle and sheep, and no cause was assigned. He considered that the local stock should undergo an exhaustive inspection by a thoroughly competent scientific expert from Home, who should determine the cause of the alarming death rate in stock. In Tauranga alone the losses in sheep equalled 25 per cent, and there wa_ no reliable information as to the cause of mortality. A special meeting of the society should be held to consider the matter thoroughly, and if possible bring pressure to bear on the Governmenttoestablish a proper scientific bureau. He would give notice to move the following resolution at the next general meeting ;—" That in the opinion of the members of the H.B.A. and P. Society, it ia absolutely essential for the proper supervision of the stock industry, and ~u the interest of the consumers of meat, that a regular scientific branch should be added to the Agricultural Department of the Government, and that to give effect to this opinion the services of an eminent bacteriologist should be obtained from Europe to report on the various diseases in sheep and cattle, the origin, nature, and prevention of which are at present unknown."

Stud sheep breeders are looking gloomy and, it may be justly added, with good reason too. The ram fairs of the North Island have unfortunately given them something unpleasant to look forward to. But I venture to bid them not despair. The fairs up north have been held under most unfavourable conditions. They have been held in a time when a distinct "funk " In both sheep and wool was reigning supreme. lam not alone in believing this "funk" will be but temporary, and I even hope that when March 14th—the Canterbury Ram Fair date—rolls round the cloud of depression In sheep will have lifted somewhat. So I say to our enterprising breeders, " be of good cheer."

At the Palmerston Ram Fair held on the 4th inst., it is noted by the Manawatu Daily that the Corriedale sheep were much admired. Corriedale, most of my readers will be aware, is the name given by Mr Little, of Allaodale, to hia half-breds.

Mr Matthew Henry, reporting on the Palmerston Fair, supplies this information :—The fair took place on Thursday and Friday of last week under the auspices of the A. and P. Association. The numbers forward were In excess of last year, and the quality in most cases was also better, although in this respect there remaius room for improvement. On the whole the Romney breeders brought forward their stock in better conditioo than did those of the Lincolns. From start to finish the attendance was poor, and the general spirit of buyers decidedly dull. Ltncolna sold at Bgs and ftomneys at from $ to 3gs.