FARMING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 229, 27 August 1937, Page 5

FARMING NEWS.

RURAL RAKINGS. Referring to the wool season and to prospects for the coming year, a review of a Canterbury firm considers that the lift in prices last year over even the most optimistic level of forecasts may be maintained m 1937 38. Wool, it is pointed out, is not dear in terms of gold, standing in depreciated sterling at approximately £l7 a bale. The statistical position is exceedingly sound; and though the dark international outlook has a steadying effect on prices, there seems no reason why the present satisfactory basis of values should not be at least maintained. A mad scramble for wool, bringing prices acceptable for the moment, but most unsettling for tho future, is not at all desirable; but the hope is expressed that 1937-38 will produce receipts on a par with those of last year.

Introduced for tho first time into Southland, six stud sheep of Ihe Dorset Horn breed have been imported from Australia by Mr A. E. Gray, of Wallacetown. Tho Dorset Horn is a pure breed of sheep evolved in Dorsetshire, England, and in appearance is similar to the Southdown, but on a larger scale. It is a big-bodied sheep, of stocky proportions, and while still in the fine wool class is rather stronger in the fleece than the Southdown. Both sexes are horned, the male carrying a magnificent curler which belies the mild disposition of Mr Gray’s importation. The great advantage of the breed is that tho progeny mature very rapidly, and in moderates climatos it is possible to take a second crop of lambs from tho ewes in a season. This could not be repeated each year, but .three crops of lambs in two years is stated to bo easily possible.