WOOL DETERIORATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 14

WOOL DETERIORATION.

CAUSES AND REMEDIES.

DISCUSSION AT NAPIER.

[BY TELEGRAPH,—OWN CORRESPONDENT. J NAPIER. Friday.

A circular letter from the Department of Agriculture regarding wool deterioration led to a considerable discussion at to-day's meeting of the committee of the Hawke's Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society. Mr. E. Averill, of Hastings, who recently returned from a visit to England, and whose views on the matter were mentioned in the circular, stated that m his opinion the question of deterioration in the quality of the Dominion wool clip was one of manifold importance, and it was time that some action was taken to effect an improvement. - It was "tippy" wool, and also wool containing iiemp that they wanted to improve. "In my experience the fleeces on the great bulk of our sheep have become very inferior, chiefly due to the selection of breeding ewes, which is very haphazard," said Mr. Alfred Reid. "We must have good As well as ewes, however, the sire must be good. 1 think that societies running fairs should look to the condition of the rams coming into their yards if the quality of the sheep produced in this country is going to show any improvement " Mr. J. H. Livingston: 1 suggest that it would be best for this society to adopt the ring method of selling, or adopt some method of raising the quality of the rams offered. Mr A. V, S. Reed: The wise man does not buy his rams at a ram fair. 1 think the position is exaggerated by Brad ford. 1 consider that the trouble should he eliminated by the stud breeder, not the flock owner ' It •is the breed societies that should be approached. A member proposed that the secretary be instructed to communiwte with other societies, at whose ram fairs the ring method was employed, in order to obtain full particulars of the method. The President: We have all partieu lars. It is merely a matter of finance, and the erection of a ring is going to be a considerable expense. Further, we would have to lengthen the period of the ram fair to four days. It was decided to Approach the breed societies, suggesting that all flocks in their flock books be subjected to periodi cal inspection with the object of elimina ting culls. Further, that a letter be sent to the Department of Agriculture urging that at the proposed farm school to be hold m Hastings from May 16 to June 24, special classes in wool classing be provided