MERINOS IN N.Z.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18457, 21 July 1923, Page 16

MERINOS IN N.Z.

..... ■ :ONLY 5 PER CENT OF FLOCKS.

t (DETERIORATION OF QUALITY

" NEED FOR IMPORTING NEW BLOOD

■'"• Statistics show that, the ; number of Merinos in New Zealand get* fewer every year. In the early days of the Dominion the sheep were practically all Merinos. In 1921 they represented less • than 5 per cent. "Unless steps are taken to check the decline," writes Mr. W. Perry in "Sheep Breeding in New . Zealand," it seems that Merinos will eoon bo a thing of the past. Not only aro the numbers decreasing, but the : stature of the New Zealand Merino is diminishing. This is largely due .to the unfavourable conditions that prevail, •tins decline and deterioration, however, should not be permitted. The value of this breed to the fat lamb.industry on the hill country is too great to allow it to pass in this ignominious fashion. The standard can be maintained by the frequent importation of new blood "from flocks where conditions more akin to its natural habitat prevail, and in this respect we have Australia at ■ our very doer, and the best home in the world for the Merino. New Zealand " Msrino breeders should not let it be said * of them that the day of the Merino has •passed because they were too proud to go to Australia for better blood- Of late yews some of our best Merino breeders have imported Merino stick." \ Blenheim farmer says: The merino flock* oi Slew Zealand are vanishing and the country cannoi afford to lose them. Most of the hill runs, ■which a few years ago carried merino ''flocks; are r.w'carryiiig ether breeds less profitable to the flock owners and of less ■ advantage to the country. It is hardly possible-now to obtain the splendid even fines of merino ewos which were ■ <:»■•"■» available. The foundation of _«'">:■• 1 •■; :•■ • : " bred, the most t>i»tcc- -.--" : '-'-$ ."?'-'■ breed of '.'-s- (■>•-•'"'. 's>";<:' ■ ;"•> -.: '■>; r pp-fd i.-' ■": ... : .

:; ooubfc that the

:.'. <•;•.- ' .• .;t..:t come into- favour in j; 1,.;.'. country, .as., sheep .owners arc .U-.,ii!ing to realise the solid advantages the breed. ' With,, the exception .of. a. very\ few. especially- good half-bred and Cornedale flocks, the average merino sheep f*z*. Tv jriuch heavier weight of wool pur. .'-•*.•.-' vx.i she pof -■•?' ': f Jie'••'• h? :c?d ' ; .-; ; fjcr.r.lj : or i;■•' • he'i cc:. ■• If 'si generally recognised tj ■jxpei , 'e..ced shat-p '. farmers that more merinos than cross-breds can bo carried on the same area. One very great advantage of the merino flock, is that the price of the wool, is not nearly ; co -subject to violent fluctuations as the • price of ' coarser wools. Even in times * of depression like the present, merino wool is generally saleable at a profitable price. llt is, in fnot, almost immune to slumps. Surplus-stock from .-* good merino flock" finds a very, ready ■ TherV is altray's a good demand for the ewes for breeding half-breds, and wethers and even w'elther lambs sell at least, as well as store crossbred sheep of the same ages. At! the . present time "they "worth more! -;:?: A flock of sheep kept on Camden Park Estate, Camden, are direct descendants of Captain Macarthur's original flock of Merinos, which were the foundation, of. Australia's Merino wool,industry, writes _ jl..contributor to the" Bawkesbury" College The Cam dm Pail; flock -was '"•founded"by Captaih ."John MacarthursH in 1797 at Elisabeth Parramaftiriy' by the purchasa of join: rams and two ewes from Captain Waterhouse, R.N. who brought : them ■ from the Cape of Good Hope; Captain; Macarthur kepi,the breed pore, " and in ' .1801 \ took specimens -.of the wool ":£d■'■ England, "rs|epa a committee of man^faiiturexs' it any " SpaTjjsh; wooh*>"<Thus : encouraged,' Captain the flock of King"-George 111. at Kew nine rsras and one ewer. ~ and succeeded in" bringing five rams and one ewe to join the Cape .Merinos at Elizabetlt,' Farm in 1805. About ;1820 the Merinos were romoved to Camden Park, And, _ to'Jihis day, for sentimental reasons, the'- flock .' has been carefully preserved. -'•' ~ ■ >