BRITISH LAMBING PROSPECTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 468, 29 March 1909, Page 2

BRITISH LAMBING PROSPECTS.

In a noto on the lambing prospects in ' Britain, the London "Field" says:—"lt is a common saying among flock masters that a favourable autumn is tbo forerunner of a prolific lambing season. Prolificacy and success do not always go together, as tbo benefits of a heavy fall of lambs may bo in some degree- discounted by atmospheric inclemencies and scarcity of food. But a liberal proportion of doubles is an important factor in a prosporous record, and if tho results in the districts whero lambing is finished, or is in progress, are- an indication of what may bo expected in tho later parts, tho present season will bo ono of the most .productive p for many years past. Owners of tho early lambing Dorset Horn brood report eminently satisfactory returns, the fall of lambs being over average in many instances, and in somo I tho largest over experienced. Lambing in tho Hampshire Down flocks is not yet far enough advanced to permit of estimates' being formed as to tho character of tho result, but up till tho present things promise well, and thero is no reason why, indeed, there is overy ground for expecting, that tho later returns in all breeds will bo equally encouraging. Thus tho admirable weather in the latter half of last year laid the foundation of a prosporous lambing season. "But there aro other circumstances besides tho prolific fall of lambs to cheer tho shcop farmer and to lead him to anticipate tlio proceedings of tho next few months with confidonco. Tho cwob that havo lambed havo invariably come to tho lambing pon in excellent condition, and equally pleasing accounts aro received concerning the appearance of tho breeds that have still to lamb. Tho productive autumn not only maintained tho e-ivo flocks in a thriving condition, but the result was attained at almost no outlay in supplementary foods, and thus tho liberal growth of grass up till Christmas served a double purpose The conditions havo undergone somo change sinoo tho eloso of last year, but oxcept whero the owes aro nursing their lambs, feeding is not costly, while the flocks aro healthy mid prosperous. Evidently tho root crops wero less productive in tho southwestern counties than in tho other parts of tho country, as tho possibility of the supply running short before grass comes is already talked of, and tho quantity of hay also is not much in excess of requirements. On tho wholo, however, the position is satisfactory and iho outlook encouraging."