THE SHEEP SECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20810, 28 February 1931, Page 14

THE SHEEP SECTION.

IMPROVEMENT IN TYPE.

BREEDING FOR EXPORT. _ PR6GRESS OF THE PROVINCE. Although numbers are fewer the sheep exhibits this year illustrate in a striking manner the gradual improvement in what may be called the commercial quality of Auckland's flocks, because they indicate the attention that is being given to the production of high-class lambs for the export trade and to a class of wool which, besides giving weight of fleece, gives a type of fibre that should suit the larger demands of Bradford and the Continent. The exhibits, however, do not' give the public any idea of the rapid growth of Auckland's sheep industry, for although flocks are increasing more rapidly here than in any other paut of the Dominion and sheep farming is being carried on from Puringaringa, in the furthest north, to Hautu and Ongoroto, in the extreme south, nearly all the show stock come from districts comparatively near the city. Auckland's real position in the sheep farming world cannot be tested by any agricultural show, because of the difficulties of transport from districts and the lack of enterprise on the part of many breeders in entering stock for the sake of making the show a success. It must be remembered, also, that Auckland contains very few large sheep runs, the majority of flocks being smaller than in any other part of New Zealand, and the system of farming different from in most parts. ' Aucklanders are evolving a method of sheep farming which promises very big things in the futuie, when prices for mutton, lamb and wool improve. 13y top-dressing pastures and by the subdivision of' paddocks, farmers in certain districts are carrying up to eight and nine sheep to the acre. This with the very large areas of undeveloped land which can bo cheaply brought into sheep pasture, promises to make Auckland, now the least of the sheep farming districts, the greatest producer of lamb and mutton in the Dominion. The awards are:— • ROMNEY MARSH. ' Ram, three years or over: F. R. Seddon, 1 and reserve champion; A. D. Bell, 2; I. D. Greenwood, 3. Rani, two years or over: A. D. Bell, 1 and champion; F. R. Seddon, 2. Ram, under two years: F. Mullins, 1 and 2: F. R. Seddon, 3. Ram lamb: A. D. Bell, 1; I. D. Greenwood, 2 and 3. Ewe, three years or over: A. D. Bell, 1 and champion; F. R. Seddon, 2 and 3. Ewe, two years and under three: F. R. Seddon, 1: A. D. Bell, 2; I. D. Greenwood, 3. Ewe, under two years: F. R. Seddon, 1 and reserve champion; I. D. Gieenwood, 2; F. Mullins, 3. Ewe lamb: F. Mullins, 1 and 2; H. P. McLeod, 3. Best group: A, D., Bell, 1; I. D. Greenwood, 2, BOEDER LEICESTER.

Rani, over two years: D. Forguson, 1 and champion. Rani lamb: D. Fergusop, 1 and 2. Ewe, over two years: D. Ferguson, 1 and ohampion and 2. Ewe lamb: D. Ferguson, 1 and 2. ENGLISH LEICESTER. Ram, over two years: H. E. Potter, 1 and champion; R. G. Findlay, 2 and 3. Ram, under two years: H. E. Potter, 1; R G. Findlay. 2: E. M. Wilson. 3. Ram lamb: E. M. Wilson, 1 and 2. Ewe, oyer two years: R. G. Findlay, 1 and champion and 3; H. K. Potter, 2. Ewe, under two years: H. E. Potter, 1: R. G. Findlay. 2 and 3. Ewe lamb: E. M. Wilson, 1 and 2. RYELAND. Ram, ovor two years: K. D. Orr, 1 and champion and 2. Ram, under two years: K. D. Orr, 1 and 2: Wesley College. 3. Ram lamb: R. D. Orr, 1 and 2. Ewe, over two years, under two years and ewe lamb: R. D. Orr, 1 and 2 in each class. Best ram hogget (Ryeland Sheep Society s prize): Iv. i). Orr. SHROPSHIRE. The prizes in the three ram three ewe classes were awarded to W. C. Knight, who was the only entrant. He also secured the championship awards for ram'and ewo. SOUTHDOWN. Ram, three years or over: G. R. and ( H. Hutchinson, 1 and champion; J. R. self, 2 Ram, two years and under three: G. R. and H. Hutchinson, 1; W. C. Knight, 2; H. McCarroll, 3. Ram, under "two years: G. R. and H. Hutchinson, 1; J. R. Self. 2; H. McCarroll, 3/ Ram lamb: G. R. and H. Hutchinson, 1 and 2; A. D. Bell, 3. Ewe, three years or over: G. R. and H. Hutchinson, 1 and champion and 2; H. McCarroll, 3. Ewe, two years and under three: G. R. and H. Hutchinson, 1: H. McCarroll, 2; A. D. Bell, 3. Ewe, under two years: J. R. Self, 1: A. D. Bell, 2: G. R. and H. Hutchinson, 3. Ewe lamb: G. R. and H. Hutchinson, 1 and 2; A. D. Bell, 3. Best group: G. R. and H Hutchinson, 1. • „ SUFFOLK. First prizes in the six classes were awarded to J. R. Self, who was the only entrant. Ho also secured the championship awards for ram and ewe. Pet lamb: J. Swaffield, 1 and 2; Mrs. 0. R. Self, 3. FAT SHEEP. Three fat lambs, suitable for the English market: H. Rhodes, 1 and 2: t. Rhodes, a. Three down lambs for freezing: 0. R. and H. Hutchinson. 1; J. R. Self, 2. Three lambs in wool, for butcher: J. R. Self, 1. Shorn: J. R. Self 1. Three long-wool wethers, for freezing: J. R. Self, 1; A. D. Bell, 2. Three down wethers, for freezing: A. D. Bell, 1; J. R. Self, 2. Three long-wool wethers, for butcher: J. R. Self, 1; A. D. Bell, 2. Three down wethers, for butcher: H. McCarrol, 1 and 3: A. D. Bell, 2. Two long-wool ewes, for butcher: J. R. Self, 1: Wesley College, 2. Two down or down-cross ewes, for butcher: .1. R. Self, 1 and 3; Wesley College, 2. Two long-wool ewes, two years or under, for freezing: A. D. Bell, 1; J. R. Self, 2; Wesley College, 3. Two down or downcross ewes, two years or under, for freezing: A. D. 8011, 1; H. McCaroll, 2; J. R. Self, 3. FABM PRODUCE. JUDGING NOT COMPLETED. Only a portion of the farm and garden produce section was judged yesterday, awards being made in the butter, egg and honey divisions. The fruit and vegetable exhibits have not yet been judged. The following awards have been made to date:— Farmers' Butter. —Unsalted: Mrs. S. C. Arblester, 1; Mrs. C. Kirker, 2; Mrs. W. H. Carter, 3. Salted: Mrs. S. C. Arblester, I; Mrs. C. Kirker, 2; Mrs. W. H. Carter, 3.

Fresh Eggs.—Heaviest six brown hen eggs: Mrs. W. H. Carter, 1." Heaviest six white: Mrs. P. Pheasant, 1; Mrs. W. H. Carter, 2. Honey.—Granulated, white: W. E. Marsden and Company, and D. A. Jones, equal, 1; Miss J. Ballantayne, 3. Light amber: E. H. Farrand, 1; Ballantyne and Boes, 2: R. Woodburn, 3. Medium amber: L. S. Richards, 1; Mrs. A. Parsons, 2. Liquid, white: R. Woodburn, 1: Miss J. Ballantyne, 2; O Smedley, 3. Light, amber: D. A. Jones. 1- E Goodall, 2; Wesley College, 3. Medium umber: R. Bell. 1: L. Wintle 2; L S. Richards, 3. Comb honey, light: Bailan•tyno and Bees, 1; Miss J. Ballantyne, 2; P. C. liftynes, 3. Comb honey, dark: L. S.' Richards. 1; Mrs. E. L. Cranwoll, 2. Frame, comb honey: Ballantyne and Bees, 1; W. Copsey, 2. Half-frnme, comb honey: Ballantyne and Bees, 1. Observation hive: Ballantyne and Beos, 1; W. A. Mnrsden and Company, 2. Beeswax: W. Copsey, 1; Ballantyne and Beos, 2; Wesley College, 3. PHOTOGRAPHS EXHIBITED. LIST OF PRIZE-WINNERS. All the prizes in tjie photography section were secured by Auckland exhibitors, the few southern entrants failing to obtain an award. All classes of photographic work were represented, 'the most popular being landscape and beach _ A feature of this section was the junior division, in which there were only three entrants, who, however, exhibited 11 prints. The awards are: — Senior Division.—Landscape: T. H. Aghe, 1: G. W. Shelt.on, 2. Home portrait or figure study: T. H. Ashe, 1. Beach, seashore, river or lake: T. H. Ashe. 1: C. W. Shell on, 2. Shipping study: Miss E. R. Boklors, 1. Animal study", Auckland Zoo: R. Gronberg, 1 and 2: J. A. Hunt, 3. New Zealand farm scene: G. W. Shelton, 1. Junior Division.—Any subject: J. R. Abbott, 1; A. 11. Abbott, 2 and 8.