BREEDING STOCK.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XX, Issue 3898, 14 April 1877, Page 2

BREEDING STOCK.

. In regard to the value of choice breeds of stock, and the advisability of keeping none but the best, we quote the following from a letter of Mr Jewett, of Independence, Missouri, in the American Journal of Agriculture, in wliich he gives some interesting facts from his own experience in raising choice sheep : — ." I will, begin with. J leaving Vermont. I emigrated to Mis-soiu-i in 1869, bringing with me 77 choice American merino ewes and one ram, Greed Mountain. My first clip was 101 b. I have made great improvement in my sheep and wool, which •will be evident when the average of first clip is compared with my last clip. I will say on the start that Missouri is one of the best,, if not the very best, wool-growing sections in the world. My sheep are larger than formerly, and I think have increased the length of staple and a better circulation of oil, which has added much to the weight of fleece. My flock of 102 head averaged 171bs. to 471bs. each of choice wool ; sixtyone of these were breeding ewes, of various ages ; 36 were ram and ewe lambs. Five rams sheared as follows : — Gold fleece, 31-|lb. ; Seager, 31|1b. ; Modoc, 281 b.; Michigan, 26flb. These rams were all shorn at a public shearing. Two ram lambs sheared respectively 201 b. and 21 Jib. , first fleece. Twenty-two ewes averaged 191 b. each. An important item in improving a Hock is to get good purebred rains, that have good form, heavy nocks, well-covered good legs and head. These slim-neck, small-leg, narrow-chested rams, with a pedigree as long as your arm, won't do. Sheep need attention and good care while j'oung, if you wish them to grow to good size. In starting, of course, it is best to begin with full-blooded stock, but if from financial inability this plan cannot bo pursued, the next best plan is to get native ewes, and grade up by using good merino rams. Bj r this means all can soon have a flock of good grade sheep. The half and threerquarter bloods make a fine mutton, are very hardy, and are good shearers. My experience is that they will shear from 6 to 101 b."

The Simonsen Opera Troupe is at present in Tasmania, but the business appears to be poor. A Cliristchiirch correspondent writes to the N. Z. ■ Times, to say that i its information regarding the winner of the Dunedin Cup is incorrect, and states that the racehorse Fishhook, late Lough Neagh, was bred by Mr John Ballance, of Wanganui, and after -winning- the 'Maiden Plate in Wellington some two years ago, was sold to Mr, O'Brien for £300.