NOTES FOR GRAZIER AND DEALER.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9873, 2 November 1897, Page 2

NOTES FOR GRAZIER AND DEALER.

"Weekly Pre3s and Referee."

[By Straggler.]

It appears somewhat paradoxical to read of floods in the Canterbury rivers while the plains through which they run are suffering severely from want of moisture. The rain has been heavy in the ranges and there has also been abundance on the foot hills, but beyond occasional showers it keeps clear of the plains. Feed is getting scarce especially on the very light or stiff heavy lands, the rain we have had nob being copious enough to penetrate sufficiently deep to promote growth in the , latter description of soil.

The store sheep market is in a very stagnant condition owing to the poor feed prospects, and sales are difficult to effect, ewes and lambs suffering the most. On account of the heavy yarding, fat sheep were generally easier at Addington last week, merino wethers being the only class that maintained their values at all well.

The Belfast Freezing Wotks close down at the end of this mouth for their annual over, haul, Friday being the last day that sheep will be received. It is expected fcl>at the works will resume operations in about a iovtnighl'a time.

At the Dunsandol sale on Monday last tliere was a f&irly large entry of sheep, i principally merino ewes and lambs, but very little business was done. Exceptionally low figures were offered for store cattle.

The shipmente to Canterbury have practically cleared the Palmerston North district of surplus fat cattle, but an endeavour is being made to fill another order for next week. Enquiries have been made as to whether a shipment of cattle could profitably be made from the North Island to Dunedin, but there appears to be too little margin between the G'iiristchurch and Dunedin values to cover the extra cost of shipping further South.

The extraordinary case of a ewe carrying a dead lamb for twelve months hae just been reported to mc by Mr W. J. Bassett, of View Hill, North Canterbury. The ewe was a crossbred and was culled out of the flock on account of being broken mouthed before the ewes were put to the ram in March last. She would not fatten, and Mr Bassett had her killed for the dogs in September. On being opened it was found that she was carrying .a dead lamb, the flesh of which was quite decayed. The lamb was intact in shape but fell to pieces as soon as the womb was opened. The ewe was killed by one of the hands on the farm, and Mr Bassett did not get an opportunity of ascertaining what had prevented the ewe from drdpping the lamb. There was no doubt about the length of time the ewe had carried the lamb as she had not been near a ram during the year, and besides the appearance of the decayed flesh was proof that it was not a this year's get.

Mr James Brown, Mataura, writes :—" I ccc in your paper a lot of correspondence re moitalityamongstbreedingewes, andlshould be pleased if you would allow mc space for a few words. About four years ago I had some breeding ewes, and fed them oh turnips during the whole of the winter, with the result that they became pretty fat. Just before lambing they started to die, apparently with the game disease as stated in your correspondence, and I noticed that it was all the best and fattest of the ewes that died. Having some young grass I thought I would give them a trial on it with the result that they stopped dying almost immediately, which led mc to think and study the cause, and I arrived at the following conclusion :—That turnips, although possessing fattening qualities do not possess enough of blood-making ingredients for the ewe to sustain twin lambi, and again the excessive fat greatly impedes circulation which ia very necessary for the health of the embryo lambs, especially in the latter part of gestation. This is my opinion of the mortality, the ewes not making enough of blood and the very fat ones not circulating it. Young grass contains more of the natural ingredients and blood-making properties essential to the health of 'both ewe and embryo lambs. One more point, have any of the veterinary surgeons ever opened any of the ailing ewes prior to death to ascertain whether the embryo lambs were not dead first and thus caused the ewe to sicken ? This might be worth finding out for the sake of public information."

I am not aware that such an examination has been macfe. Mr Brown beare out the opinion of Mr Gilruth aa to the cause of death'and the manner in which it may be averted. By the Mataur.a, which arrived at Wellington from England on the 17th inst., a number of pure bred Hereford stock came to hand, which were selected by Mr J. Stuokey, of Te Kangivumau, during his recent visit to England, from tho two old and noted herds of Messrs Prico and Turner. They come of their best strains, but have not been shown, as Mr Stuekey finda that beasts which have been got into the condition to win in England, heifers particularly, are very uncertain breeders. With the above are four Southdown ewes, brod by the Prince of Wn7c3 at Siindriugham, and expected to be in lamb to his ram whioh hfts

been champion at the leading shows in England during the past season. th» stock were landed in splendid health; condition, which speaks favourably for the steamer as a cattle-carrying boat, as well aj for Mr Rod well, who was in charge and is returning to Mr Stuckey after a trip to the Old Country. The following are tirt pedigrees of the heifers and bull calves :— Sonata, calved February 3rd, 1895, bred bj Mr John Price, Courthouse, Pembridget Herefordshire, got by Strafford, 14,946, dam Strawberry ; Cynthia, calved January 17th, 1897, bred by Mr A. P. Turner, !fti Leen, Pembridge, Herefordshire, got by Statesman, 14,938, dam Lucy ; bull caU Colonist, calved January 11th, 1897, bred by Mr A. P. Turner, The Leen, Peinbridge) Herefordshire, got by Clarence, 15,944, dam Lily IV.: bull calf Diamond Jubilee, calved January 18th, 1897. bred by Mr A. P, Turner, The Leen, Pernbndgo, Hereford* shire, got by Statesman, 14,938, datiS Butterfly. Mr Stuckoy's stock has gone to quarantine at Somes Island. The Mataura has brought out for Mr Geo, G. Stead a couple of purebred Shropshire Downs, and for Mr Ullyett, of Methvei), ll ram and two ewes of the Dorset Horn bnSdd, These animals were accommodated on deck in specially constructed pens, and have oomo out in splendid condition. The pens fcfcre. transhipped to the lighter, and the whole consignment taken across to Quail islsnAy By the steamer lonio there were imported for air J. B. Logan, oi Ofcago, a cowpWA purebred Kent rame, bred by Mr BejP&i* Kent. The sixth annual ram sale of the Lincoln Longwool Sheep Breeders' Association \*a| held at Lincoln in September, and provecy very successful. The catalogue contained en entry of 491 rams, an increase of nearly 100 over" last year. These were contributed from the flocks of the most eminent while a considerable number that had beetf entered for the sale had been privately dis« posed of. The demand for specimens of thfr breed.continued very great for the colonial and foreign market. Thero was a large attendance, including all the best-knoWft breeders in the county and many roprtl sentativos of foreign buyers. The bidaibg for come of the animals was most spiriti6d(. and excellent prices were obtained, although none reached the exceptionally high prices of last year. The average for thert sold was over £25 each for 450 cheep, the; proceeds amounting to £11,353. Last yeaf. the average for 100 fewer was £28 16e 3d, that the sale was a very satisfactory and the quality of the "sheep high. Thir ! highest average was obtained by Mr Henry Dudding, Riby Grove, his lot averaging £81 12h 9d, and one of them selling at 210gs to Mr Langley, for Buenos Ayres ; Messrs J. R. and R. R. Kirkham gave 105gs for one and Mr Taylor Sharpe lOOgs for another. Mr J. E. Casswell's Laughton rame made the next highest average—£6s 4a lα. Messrs Dean and Sons, Dowsby, gave 200g* for one and Mr T. Caeswell 105gs tot another. Next came the Nootoa Heath rams, the property of Messrs R. "«» W. Wright, these averaging £57 Bβ Bo\ Mr Krabbe bought one at 200ge and another at lOOgs, Mr H. Dudding giving 165gs and Messrs Diggle and MiHingwn 126gs. Messrs Dean and Sons, of Doweby. had the excellent average of £53 8s Id, Mβ one of their lot made the very high price ot 220gs, which was only once equalled during the day. The buyer was Mr H. DuddiMt while Mr F. Ward gave 116gs and Mt Richardson 105gs. Mr T. Caeswell &™r»g«i £53 17s Bd, one of his lot also malting 220g» to Mr H. Smith, jun., Cropwell Butler, while Mr Dudding gave HOge for another, Mr Taylor Sharpe had an average ot few 17s 7d.