BALLINASLOE SHEEP FAIR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1243, 25 September 1875, Page 18

BALLINASLOE SHEEP FAIR.

In noticing the last great Annual Fair cf Balliuasloe, Ireland, the North British Agriculturist says :—: —

"As this is by far the largest markei during the year, and is held at. the turning point of the season, when the harvest has been collected, and farmers are preparing for another year's work, it helps to regulate the standard of prices, and to indicate the direction which agricultural enterprise is likely to take and the difficulties it has to meet. At Ballinasloo the course of dealing is a continuous Btrugglp between the breeders of the West and the dealers of the Milland and Southern Counties, who buy to fatten upon richer pastures and sell to the butcher. It is quite a study to see the perseverance and ingenuity with which the two classes try to outwit each other, and to obtain for themselve« the largest possible measure of advautage. 'Jhe sheep fair always comes fir3t in order, and Jasts a couple of days. It is held in Gorbally Park, and presents to the mere spectator a curious and interesting sight. The flocks are marshalled over n>ght on the slopes of the demesne, and kept in the positions obtained for them — sometimes after a fierce encounter with competitors — by hundreds of men of very primitive habits and armed with the pastoral crook, which they wield with wonderful dexterity. If a sheep attempts to desert from the ranks, it is instantly caught and sent back into its line with an admonitory tap on the head or a poke in the ribs which reminds it of its allegiance. Hostilities not unfrequently e»ccur between the shepherds, and then the crooks aro more vigorously applied to the heads and ribs of each uther. Such contests, however, ore only pacing iucidents, and do not interfere with the serious business of the fair.