Sheep Returns

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 9, 1 July 1884, Page 3

Sheep Returns

A return has just been completed of Ac number of sheep in New Zealand in May, 1883. Though the date is not very recent, the return is of interest, especially as it gives, for the first time, a classification of the different classes of sheep in *L<» osilswxr TJia fitriirp.fi «.w». as fnllnwar —

- For May 1882, the total was 12,500,597, «o that during the year our flocks have increased by some 806,000 sheep. 'o the above figures have to be added the numbers of nhcep held in Stewart's Island, Chatham, and other adj.-icent Islands. These, at the time of the last census iv 1881, amounted to 77,746, which, without any allowance for subsequent increase, wonld brins» the total, in Way, 18H3, to 13,384.075. In view of the fact that the recent decline in the value of vool has roost heavily affected crossbred qualities, it is so far satisfactory to find thnt so large a proportion of Xew Zealand sheep are of the Merino breed, at the «ame time it must be borne in mind thnt <he crossbred is much more valuable for the purpose of freezing. — Daily Telegraph. m^ Mmßßmmmm^ a

Male. Female. Total. Merino sheep 3,250,733 4>0<54.499 7.3 15.232 Longwool sheep 432,322 7 6 9.47 1,201,739 Crossbred sheep 1,837.502 2,gsi.S'jd 4,7^9.358 5.520,557 7.7 8 5.772 13,4^.3^9 i