SHEEP RAISERS' PROSPECTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 1 July 1911, Page 8

SHEEP RAISERS' PROSPECTS.

• AN ENGLISH VIEW, In.discussing.tho sheep-raisers'' prospects the "Live' Stock Journal" (London) • says that reports from English sheejjfarmers do not point'to "more .than nn .average crop of-lambs, and in some cases it does not reach the standard. As the season' advances Hockmasters are also keeping an eye-on the stato of the wool market,, as indicated by the auctions of colonial wool, and these give promise of a steady demand for the Home clip when the time- conies. There has been, a considerable amount of despondency regarding the position of the industry (luring the last Wo years, 'and it is not unnatural that pessimistic views should , have been prominent bethe fall .in prices'has been disappointing. Tho statistics have also, been unsatisfactory, taking a short view. It, is well, however, to find that as tho result of a, wider survey of the figures the statisticians of the Board of Agriculture ore able to dwell upon some reassuring considerations. '■''When all the circumstances aro taken into consideration, (continues the "Journal"),, the statistical position of the cheep industry of the country must therefore be regarded as. ■.■ satisfactory, reflecting credit on the courngo and enterprise of British agriculturists; and the same might indeed be said of every branch, of their business. But, as.regards sheep, it must'be added that the'statistical aspect is the .best, for during the last two years prices have been decidedly unsatisfactory. As in other, .departments,, the trade 'is contrqlled by outside competition. Imports from.the.Argentine especially'have recently .increased .enormously. ' Then,' prior to'that expansion, the drought in Australia-. forced up values ' to such an extent'that consumers began to turn their attention, to, beef in preference, as a comparatively cheaper article 'of'food.. The conditions;favoured an. increase .of' Home flocks- to • meet.'.'this demand. Then'the Australian difficulty was surmounted; imports from these colonies likewise increased.'and > rates .went down seriously. At', the sametime much:of the imported mutton was of .inferior., quality and all ,m'utton suffered on this .account." ;