WHY SOUTHDOWNS ARE PREFERRED

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1508, 24 January 1901, Page 52

WHY SOUTHDOWNS ARE PREFERRED

They are -hardy, -will Hock Ja large numlbers, require' Little care, will thrive on less feed,, and therefore are the best of any .sheep for arid' ahdl grainless regions. They are healthy, less liable to •diseases than any other breeds; seldom hare foot rot or scab-. They are more prolific than other breeds., _ frequently 'bringing twins and often triplets; are good mothers, and the lambs fake care of themselves 'at an early age. ■ They taro early maturers, comparing in weight at from six to ten months old with the larger breeds, -and always heavier in proportion to size than other sheep. They are the best for mutton; the meat is the best graded 'with fat and lean, is' the richest and best Savoured, will market more meat to the acre, and to produce its meat costs less than for any other sheep or domestic . animal. Their wool is next to the merino- in fineness, and brings a better price than _that of any other breed. They are of all sheep .the most beautiful! in form, majestic in carriage, and are an adornment as well as the most useful anal profitable of all domestic farm animals. They have been bred in purity longer, and are certain iu impressing their good qualities on other breeds; all attempts by crossing with other breeds to improve their good! qualities have . proven failures—they have been for many 'years and’ remain tthe - recognised head of the mutton breeds. Comparing favourably with, tthe merinos in fineness of wool, inability to exist with little care and in large flocks in the grainless part of our country, and superior to them, in mutton qualities as well, as- in less liability to <lie diseases that have been so hurtful Ibo the wool-growing industry, the Southdown is in every respect the best, li.o £h© natural cross for changing the waerino from wool to- mutton, and yet retaining the highest -priced wool.— J. €l. S., in “Farm, Field'and Fireside.”