CORRIEDALE SHEEP.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18107, 24 June 1924, Page 8

CORRIEDALE SHEEP.

TO THB KDITOE OF "THE PBESS." Sir, —Mr Greenwood accuses me of abusing the Corriedale sheep. I have yet to know that fact is abuse. He. also, asks do I desire a, cheap advertisement for the Southdown. For Mr ■Greenwood's information, I might state I have no interest in any particular breed of sheep in the way" he implies. But I have a great interest in the business. That gives me my living, which happens to be the frozen-meat trade. When I notice the lambs that are now being produced in Canterbury inferior to those produced in former years, I think I am well within my rights in criticising anything that I consider detrimental to that particular business. Mr Andrew's remarks in connexion with the above sheep and the early export trade in Lamb was the reason for writing my first letter. I was rather amused with a remark made by Mr Greenwood in reference to the Southdowns, and he forgets that perfection in breeding is, indeed, only possible when the best possible results are attained (the Southdown). You will notice that Mr Greenwood keeps absolutely silent, in regard to my suggestion re. showing a specimen of this breed frozen with the skin on. (The proof of the pudding is in the eating!) Mr Greenwood challenged me to produce kempy wool in Corriedales. I think my remarks referred to their progeny. At the same time, I will accept Mr Greenwood's challenge, if challenger will give me the facilities of examining a tiock at the shearing time —say, the "Teviotdale" clip for preference. I had the privilege of seeing this clip at shearing time three or four years ago, and I admit that I found some beautiful wool among the fleeces. I would like to ask Mr Greenwood his opinion on the following:—Does he consider the fat lambs bred for export at the present time equal to those bred for the same purpose before the advent of the "Corriedale," or before it was utilised for lambs for export, which won for Canterbury the high reputation of producing the'best grade of fat lambs in the Southern Hemisphere? If not, does he consider that the "Corriedale" will be able to regain the same high standard? I hope Mr Greenwood will see his way clear to reply to my questions. It will be obvious to him why 1 do not write over my own signature. —Yours, etc., W.J.W.

TO THE EDITOH 07 "THE PRESS."

Sir, —Re. the correspondence on Corriedales. As one who has had a lifetime's experience iri tho wool trade in various countries, I should liko to ask your first correspondent exactly what he (means by "Flat Kemps," for to my mind there is no such thing. Kemps are simply dead hairs, and are caused or attributed to exposure or bad feeding, and are more prevalent in wools grown in mountainous districts (e.g., the Scotch Cheviots w or Blackface j Bheep), but the necks of all breeds of sheep are usually affected to some degree. I think your first correspondent simply means the coarse britches that you will often find amongst Corriedale wool. That to my mind is the only drawback to the wool of the Corriedale. It certainly is characteristic of the Corrie to throw back to the Lincoln on the britches, but it certainly is not right to say kemps are a fault'with this particular breed. If the flocks are well looked after and culled by experienced men who understand the qualities of wool; there is without doubt no fault to find with it. For proof of this I would refer you to such clips as Eakahuri, Bydal Downs, and Hayland or Haystop. And if thesie clips do not satisfy you, well it isn't the product of sheep you want. To my mind these men, who are honestly trying to better the wool of this country, are doing a creditable thing, and may they reap the benefits of their endeavours. The clips I mention can be seen every year at the opening sales at Christchurch, and they are in themselves a great advertisement for the Corriedale, and are a distinct credit to tho owners. I iriay say lamin no way interested (financially) in this breed.— Yours, etc., ' TRADESMAN.