SHEEP BATTLES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 November 1907, Page 3

SHEEP BATTLES.

ROMNEY OR LINCOLN?

The great showing of Romney and Lincolns has been responsible for many wordy fights to-day on their respective qualities. To the casual observer there is practically no differ,onco between Romney or Lincoln "champions. Both seem to have an abnormal amount of wool, and look very fine, but it is when one moots the great sheep experts of tlie Island Ithat '■ the trouble begins. If you are en,'gaged in conversation with a Romney breeder ;yqu will be told that this is par excellence ;the breed for any farmer who wishes to becpmo possessed of a good flock which will always give him a return for his money. You will be told that the Lincoln cult'belongs to a past ago, and that it should be dropped. Against this thoro is the supreme'argument of the big Lincoln men that when it is all reckoned up, and the fanner studies the question from a pound, shillings, and pence point of view, the Lincoln must predominate. : There is no doubt the Lincoln men have a 'very, strong case. They point to an example of a prominent Romney breeder in the iManawatu district whose owes averaged nine ;pounds of wool, and of an equally prominent Lincoln breeder on the other side of the ranges , whose wet ewes averaged eleven and a half pounds, and whose hoggets went up'to thirteen-pounds. They further point to the fact that the wool export of the Dominion is practically worth £700,000 a year, and they contend that in a. great measure the question must bo solved Troin a wool point of view. There is a sweeping charge against .the-'Lincolns that they cannot thrive so well on wet pastures as can the Romnoys, but a .well-known Wairarapa Lincoln man asserts ;that this opinion is not wholly, founded on ;fact; and that with ordinary care a Lincoln .will, thrive almost as well as a Roninoy, and, in addition, will givo a much greater amount iof wool. Let the farmers count up their wool itailics,-- they : say,V and then they, will find that the Lincolns will more .than discount ,-their. slight disadvantage in the way. of ;hardiness. '. . "'■ . ' . ,