ON THE LAND.

Northern Advocate, 24 July 1923, Page 3

ON THE LAND.

CORRIEOALE CEITJVJESM.

New Zealand sheepmen and particularly breeders of Corriedales will no doubt find interest ia the following; article from the "Mark Lane Express," an English agricultural journal, and which is reproduced in an Australian weekly:— "In connection with the British Empire Exhibition it is reported that the Australian Government lias ap l ' proached the Home Government for permission to send for exhibition a consignment of the 'Corriedale' breed of sheep. Here agnin is a matter of most serious import to the British flock owner, and there arises therefore many questions, none more important than the terms under which such importation is allowed to take place. Naturally we assume that, if the importation be allowed, the same conditions that are applicable to the importation of British sheep to the Commonwealth will be made applicable to the sheep sent for exhibition.

"Why the 'Corriedale' particularly should be selected as being desirable to exhibit at the British Empire Exhibition we are at a loss to understand, save possibly that the Commonwealth or New Zealand—we are unaware which—claims that it is a breed which has evolved in one of those countries, and has proved itself to be of value to that distant part of the Empire. This breed, it is claimed, has now become thoroughly established and able to reproduce itself true to type and character. Naturally, with the imported specimens, if any are permitted to come, the official record of pedigree will be sent. "Many flock masters of Great Britain, however, need no exhibit of this particular breed to demonstrate to them its characteristics and qualities, for all who visit London —and most of them do —can see for themselves in the Strand, in a window in Australia 1 ! House, stuffed specimens of a prize 'Corriedale' ram and a prize 'Corriedale' ewe. Such being, doubtless, selected specimens, fully typical of the pafticular breed they represent—otherwise they would not be prize animals and certainly not exhibited in the prominent position they are—show clearly that they are very deficient in many of the more important points that go to niake up a typical mutton sheep. Quality of wool and value of fleece, we are fully aware, are items of importance, but the depth of flesh, the weight of flesh, the symmetrical formation of the carcase, to give the fullest development to its more valuable parts, and the smaller proportion of the inferior parts, are essential for the profitable production of mutton and wool.

"Unless our judgment is seriously at fault, the stuffed specimens one sees at Australia House fail to indicate that this particular breed has the full development of the leg, the loin, the wide-sprung rib, for the mutton cutlet, and short, thick neck that are typical of the best specimens of British mutton sheep.

"The various attempts, for different reasons, that are being made at the present time to import colonial or foreign breeding animals are highly detrimental to the best interests of British flock owners. It is essential that this matter should receive the most serious consideration of those responsible for the protection of the stud sheep breeding of England. It is becoming more and more evident that the Ministry of Agriculture fails to realise the outstanding importance of stopping this continued weakening of the safeguards that are so essential to the protection of the great national interests represented by the stud sheep breeders of Great Britain. One trusts, in the interests of that great, national Industry, the national sheep breeders will, with no uncertain voice, take definite action to impress upon the authorities that their paramount, duty to the industry as a whole is to prevent the introduction of foreign or alien blood." NEWSY NOTES.

Australia seems to be securing its share of immigrants for land settlement schemes. Great success appears to have resulted from the group settlement scheme adopted by the Western Australia State. The reason for this satisfactory state of affairs is put down to the fact that the Government hud the way paved for the settlers. A satisfied immigrant would appear to be the best advertisement for the scheme and this is evident from the fact that each boat arriving a"; Fremantle brings out immigrants who are joining friends already settled there. The comparison of the different nitrogenous manures as .ipplied to mangels in an experiment carried out over two years in England shows that the best results were obtained by nitrate of soda arid nitrate of lime. In each case the dressiugs were applied at the rate of 901b of per acre; th„> latter was the most expensive dressing.

As a horse food beans enjoy some reputation. There is no hind that is peculiarly adapted for feeding horses. Usually in the horse ration they are given whele, but many breeders like to grind the bean to a meal. New beans should not be used when old beans are available, as the tendency is to produce flatulency and colic. The best is obtained from beans a year old.

With a small outlay for practical experiments, a farmer can learn more in a season regarding the requirements of the soil he cultivates than in any other

manner, and the value of such knowledge will enable him. to producc the largest possible crop with the smallest expense for fertilisers. He eaa dispense with such materials n? he has proved to be not necessary on his soil. On. the other hand, he can add an extra quantity of any ingredient which Iris experiments show to be especially necessary.

The colour of West Highland cattle appeals very much to the artistic eye, and it is admittedly only second in importance to the wild ami shaggy appearance, and to the beautiful head and horns which arts characteristic of this fine race of cattle. Highland cattle are of many colours, ereamy-whitc, black, brindled of many shades, reel, lawny, fawn, or dun, being amongst the most common. To-day + he demand for West Highland cattle : s chiefly centred upon animals which show growth and great scale. Thj breeder is not content to buy stock lacking these characteristics, as, in his opinion, stitution. Size is, therefore, a com* their absence indicates a decline of conponent part of the breeder's creed.