AUSTRALIAN MERINOES.

North Otago Times, Volume V, Issue 99, 11 January 1866, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN MERINOES.

(To the Editor of the Oamabc Times.) Sib, — We are induced to make a few remarks in reply to a letter written by Mr James Gardiner, in your issue of the 4th instant, Tas there appear to be a few discrepancies in the statements contained therein. 1. If Mr Gardiner sold hia Steiger rams two years ago, how can he be " as largely interested in Steiger rams as we are ?" 2. We never " flatly con« trudict" any one ; but out of the nine selected by us, seven were medium staple, as proved by samples and certificates from Germany. 3. We again state that New Zealand wools are, as a rule, longer than Australian ; our climate enables us to grow a good staple, Jrom the identical sheep which, before leaving Australia, failed to produce itj: this is a well-known fact. Among die London circulars, we did not notice that the Australian wools were longer in staple than the New Zealand, and should like to be informed of some particular one in which the statement was made ; as we should feel bound to remonstrate with the writer, and deter him from again misleading the public. 4. We lately shore a six-month Steiger crotx ram, with wool afoot /■ ng ! and not " wanting in firmness and density :" we can send you a sample. 5. The judges and buyers at the late great inter-colonial show gave the prizes and the highest prices for the prize bales of 60 fleeces (to be decided by value only) to 1st combing fleeces. The official report on the wool will prevent a "flat contradiction" of this fact. 5. For breeding second CTmbinq and large carcass from proper ewes, we have seen no rams to equal " Steigers " The very large and long-woolled " Steiger cross" rams exhibited this year by Messrs McMaster and Teschemaker (modesty prevents our saying who else), will, wo think, prove this. 6. We recollect seeing, a short time since, aletter in the "Australasian," from a person whoso flocks were falling off in staple and quality, and who had tried all the rams in Australia with no effect ; but ultimately tried some New Zealand rams, with Buch success that he published the result for his neighbors' benefit. Messrs Driver McLean and Co., in a late circular, state that if our own market were not bare New Zealand ram breeders could export to Anstralia with good profits* Mr Rich's whole cargo of sheep sold in Victoria at prices averaging more than the same number of any Australian flock would do. New Zealand bred rams, therefore, " are eagerly sought after in Victoria." Mr G. has " cut all his wrinkled lambs for two years." We have sold oars, and cannot nearly supply the demand at L5 and upwards per head. As a mere " matter of L; s. d.," we prefer our method of disposing of the stock in question, and don't mind putting : a rival breeder up to a wrinkle. We have been asked by several persons whether wo ; could explain a seoming contradiction between Mr &.'» letter, and an advertisement by Messrs Borton and M'Master in the same issue, viz. : — Letter. Advertisement. "I have cut every wrin- "For Sale. — 300 twokled lamb I have bred TOOTHED Rams, Ac. ; for th* last two years." the whole of the above "I say all GermdD rams were got by imported are short-wooled." Steiger Rann, kc. " Th«re is no class of sheep "Th«y have been carerecogniied with wool ao fully culled, with a vieft' •hort" to lbngth *ud firmness of 8TAK.E." As we know that ninety-nine of every hundred " Steiger" lambs are wrinkled, we could not give the desired explanation. We must apologise for the length of this letter, but promise that wo will not be tempted into further correspondence on this • abject. B» A- & B. Juutfc.