SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 59, 5 March 1909, Page 2

SMALL GRAZING RUNS.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir,—Runholders and those having large vested interest in sheep-farming cannot peruse the reports commenting adversely on the unsatisfactory manner in whbh wool is being placed on the market without grave anxiety and alarm. During the past decade these complaints have increased, and admitting them to be true, call for very serious consideration. One cannot for a moment suppose that these animadversions are directed against the larger graziers, the established runholaers who, through a life-long experience, dearly bought, have learned to avoid the suicidal error of offering for sale wool carelessly and injudiciously prepared. Considering therefore that ignorance more than wanton slovenliness and negligence are responsible for these, strictures one is driven to the conclusion that the lessees of the small grazing runs are blameable. It is somewhat singular, and to be deplored, that the Legislature did not foresee the momentous danger to this, the staple product of the Dominion ? when leases were granted indiscriminately to men from whom no guarantee or certificate of their competency to engage in sheepfarming had been demanded. To safeguard an industry of so great proportions, which had been fostered and upheld by the old pioneers, until New Zealand's status as a wool-producing country rose to a leading rank in the markets of the world, ought to have been zealously adhered to, and carefully Viewed from every point when contemplating the prosecution of sheep breeding to entrust to inexperieneod men. Any attempt now to amend the Small Grazing I^n Act with a view to the insertion or addition of a competency clause, would, in all probability, and with some degree of justice to future applicants, be resented. ' Consequently, to educate the present lessees in their occupation, is the only remaining alternative. Secure in the assurance that woolgrowing has in the past been prosecuted sedulously and assidiously, the Government has been remiss in stimulating this, the chief product of the Dominion, while on others of lesser importance and magnitude thousands of pounds have been squandered without hope of any tangible benefit or return. A continuation of this policy means incalculable loss to the Dominion, both in revenue and prestige. There are in our Legislative Assembly many gentlemen who have devoted a lifetime to grazing in all its branches, and it would be presumptuous and impertinent to promulgate ~ any schema for the tuition of the small graziers in wool-growing, and' all that is desired is to direct ( the attention of Government to the urgent need of a system of education being propounded, lest the a-eiteration of these complaints published abroad may injuriously affect the Dominion's wool for years to come. On the management of small flocks, a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of wool-classing in its varied technicalities is not absolutely essential, and any man of ordinary intelligence can acquire the skill necessary to do all the sorting required- with very little teaching. Having continually in view that slovenliness, carelessness, want of taste and system in handling wool, are zealously to be avoided, and that the converse tends to enhance its value, a very palpable aid is secured in the work. Everything that tends to increase the expense of preparing the wool for its manufacture into clothing etc., must perforce lessen its value in the estimation of the buyers; consequently all dirt, seeds, stained pieces, or extraneous matter of whatever kind must be removed from the fleece. This seems the most important point to be observed, according to the published complaints, and the importance of careful skirting cannot be to strongly impressed on inexperienced graziers. Nor is .the work of classing so very formidable that most settlers of an observant bent of mind cannot acquire a knowledge sufficient to discriminate between the different qualities of wool. In the strong descriptions— crossbred halfbred, and even three-quarter-bred, indeed a clear eye, concentration of thought and confidence, coupled with sound judgment, are the chief guides. Were the Government to appoint a few plain practical commonsense men to travel through the country districts and give the small graziers a start, there 'can Jbe no qnestion that the money would be well spent. Technical colleges may be all very well in which the sons of moneyed men may be taught, but settlers in the outlying districts cannot affort the time or money, and consequently information must reach them in their own homes. It would, be absolute folly, however, to appoint instructors other than those who have worked themselves up from "pickers" to classers. Book-learned men may bewilder settlers by the exuberance of their verbosity—talk serrations, tip, lustre, 30's 40's 60's and so on, but these are not wanted in small flocks. One who can lift a fleece from the board, throw it neatly on .the wool table, skirt it, roll it, and place it in the proper bin, pack a bale neatly, sew it and brand it, making it presentable to market, is the tutor needed. Having the settler by his side, he can point out the defects in a fleece. If a break in the staple, explain how it occurs, the sudden shifting of the sheep from semi-starvation to over-abundant feed. Wool stained by ticks—and caution the grazier against the false economy consequent en carelessness dipping. The cutting from his flock of all sheep whose fleece has, a tendency to clot or "mat." Place within sight fleeces bright, free and strong side by side with those out of condition, dull, dry, Jifeless and wanting in lustre, and in a few days an insight into the work will soon be imparted. Impress above everything else the urgent need of consistency. Forming an ideal work from it right through the clip, never under any cir-

cumstances alloAV the wools to mix through inattention, and very soon the settler will evince an interest in his Avork and derive a real pleasure from it. In the case of merinos a closer attention may be requisite, and time alone will educate, but the foregoing hints apply generally to all descriptions of wool. In the merino type the webbing, i.e., the creasing of the fibre in a staple have to be watched, the serration or crimp, the prominence of tip, dry yolk—the result of a chill— lack of silvery lustre, and so on, but tutors, competent to instruct, will also point out these defects. In a word don't be misled by the belief that a clip sent to the market in a negligent, perfunctory state will bring as high a price as those carefully prepared. Buyers may be deceived, once, but rest assured your brand will be avoided at all subsequent sales. It is. impossible, Avithout extending beyond reasonable limits, to constitute more than a feAV general hints on this important subject, and one can only trust that by due regard to their own and the Dominion's- Avelfare, the Government Avill auopt wise and practical measures to instruct, and the graziers ■who are blundering onward to their, inevitable doAvnfall will avail themselves of all opportunities within reach to enlighten themselves in the prosecution of an industry alike jnterestinsr and profitable.—l am, etc., FRANCIS AUCHINLEEK, Wairere, Kaikoura.

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