SALE OF PURE-BRED SHEEP.

Otago Witness, Issue 1296, 30 September 1876, Page 18

SALE OF PURE-BRED SHEEP.

The annual sale of merino and longwoolled sheep was brought to a conclusion on Thursday, as far as the public sales were concerned. The holding of an annual ram fair in Melbourne has proved quite as successful as its most sanguine advocates could have anticipated. With the prospect of one of the worst seasons Australia has yet experienced — a dry hot summer following a rainless winter — with Rivcrina buyers practically shut out for twolve months, and a heavy fall in the price of wftol in the European markets, it speaks well r f or the enterprise of the flockmastera of this and the neighbouring colonies that they should have displayed so much spirit in endeavouring to secure the best stud animals for the improvement of their stock. The sale was held in the large and well-lighted wool stores of Messrs Hastings, Cunningham, and Co., Collins-street West. The catalogue was extremely well got up, and one feature in connexion with the matter ia worth noticing. Attached to the catalogue was a plan of the floor on which the merino sheep were exhibited. The plan showed each pen, and the name of the breeder of each lot of sheep, so that intending • purchasers could go directly to the sheep they wished to Bee without the slightest difficulty. The sale was commenced by Messrs Fisken and Gibson, who offered a really magnificent lot of merino sheop from the flocks of the most celebrated breeders in Victoria. The highest price obtained at this year's sale was for a, ram bred by Mr J. L. Ciime, which was purchased by Mr A. Tobin, for 355 guineas, after a spirited competition with tho Hon. W. Wilson. Mr Tobin bought this grand animal to send to hie station on tho Castlorea river, New South Wales, whero he has somo very fine young owes he lately secured from Mr <T. M'Vean, on the Edwards river. Another of JVlr Carrie's special rams brought 235 guineas, and the next in price was a ram from the stud flock of Sir Samuel Wilson, which realized 207 guineas: ' The three special rams of Mr Carrie's realized the high price of 740 guineas. In longwools, there was some very keen competition for the best lots. The highest price was obtained for some splendid yearling rams sent in by Messrs Rutledge Brothers, of Farnham park. One of these line youngsters brought 100 guineas, and another 101 guineas. The result of the sale has been to show that high-class stock in good condition will command its full value in the Melbourne market, Next year, with a.

better season in prospect and more liberal quarantine arrangements at the New South Wales border, our flockma3ters may expect to realize even higher rates than those obtained at the late sale. It must be borne in mind, however, that no matter how high is the quality of the animals sent in, if they are in low condition they will not attract the attention' of the buyer.— Melbourne Argus.