OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 2321, 25 August 1898, Page 6

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

(Fhom Our Special CoRHEsroNDBNT.) BRADFORD, June 24, 1398. SHEEPBREEDERS' DIRECTORY. The well-known manufacturers of Cooper's sheep dip havo just ipaucd a small bookleb ! called "The Sheep-breeders' Directory," and, j as they send me a copy for review, I dovoto this letter to having a look through its pages. As most readers aro aware, the proprietors of this well-known sheep clip aro just at pro- ! sent engaged in getting together a represon- . tative sample of all the British breeds of shoop to b© exhibited at tho grcit Palermo Show in tho Argentina Republic, the object, of course, being to still further boom- English sheep as being best, adapted for crossing merinos in the production of "freezers" for ox- ! port to the English. mirkei;. This . directory hai been specially prepared for wholesaio distribution. not only J among tho South American ppstora- ! lis's, but among sheepmcu throughout the 1 entire world. ' and 1 would strongly a/lvibe every colonial breeder to make application to iho nearest agent of Cooper's dip to have a copy sent. Its contents are varied, but among the nioEt tiFeful to colonial sheepmen is a directory giving the names of all Englifh pheepbrcede''s owmog registered flocks. This directory covers every breed found in tho jJritiph Isles, except tho blaek-faoed brcod of .Scotland, and I bolieve this is tho fiist publication in which can be found so extensive and complete a lift of England's finst breeders of the varied and distinct breeds of cheep. 1 Then, 100, tho book gives a good typical iUus- , tralion of eat-h separato breed, together with . a brief description of their merits, otc, as j furnished by tho secretary of each flock book ■ represented. But, in addition to the abo--© list cf contents, there is a well-written article on " Crossbreeding." Hera the writer deals "fully with the advantages which the crossing of each distinct bred produces, and J hero give a few extracts from it. Among other things the article says: '"To improve tho mutton qualities of the merino, crons-breeding with JBriiish iair.s must be resorted to, special caio behn; taken to secure at tho same time uniformity in the wool as regards fineness and staple. The breeder should at the outset decide en. a definite and wcJI-untlersiood object, and not embark on the business with indiscriminate and indefinite eros-sing, because to achieve success attention to tho minutest details is absolutely essential. Briefly stated, the advantages of crops-bre^din? are as follow: — (1) Vigour and immunity from disease. (2) Early maturity and suitability for poor land. (3) Not given to roaming, acid good traveller?. ' (4) Class of mutton most in reqiicst." Every one of the above fmir points is dealt with briefly, and yet fully. Then as to tho effects of certain cresses* with English r.ims on merino ewes, the following will be read with interest : — : '" Lincoln and Merino Crocs. — Specially

suitable for rich, sou'^d, well-wa(e:e<! pasture, where feed is abundant and nutritious, and gives a good return in wool and mutton. " Border Leicester and Merino Oroso. — On rich pasture gives nearly ps lar^e a return in weight of mutton as the Lincoln cross, and of a better quality and form. The wenk point is the comparative lighfne&s of fleece and lack of covering on the belly and Iqrs. Very hardy, and thrives on middling land. ' '" English Leicester and Merino Gross. — Theso crosses on lolly good pasture make perhaps belter program than any other, but the mutton is not of firnt-claps quality, and brings a second-rate price. Tho fleece is , heavy for the bizo of sheep, and of fair ! quality. " Komney Mai'sh and Merino Cross. — On rich land those cresses do nearly no well as the Lincoln, and quite as well as the Border Leicester, so far as increase in weight is considered. The carcase is not so shapely as tho latter cross, but the mutton nearly as good. The wool of this cross is comparatively dense, and of good qunlitv. " Southdown and Merino Ores?. — The quaj lily ond flavour of the mutton are vpl'v hiu,h, but tho fleece is light and rather interior in I quality. ! ".Shropshire aiul Merino Cross. — This ; makes an excellent butcher's pheep. as the | carcase is slior/, compact, broad on tho back ( and loin, round on tho shoulder, and deepnched, whilst the mutton n of prime quality . and flavour. Speciaiiy adapted for breeding fot lambs coming early to maturity, making ! fair weights, and supeiior as regards quality ] and appearance. In tho wool this cross has . the failings of all down breeds." i Many other good things are said in tho ' article which is well worth studying by every colonial shcenowner. Results are given from [ actual oxperienco, and the book is to be had j free.

WOOL IMPROVING. There is practically no change of moment to record in the movement of wool durinsf tho past week. Busine&s certainly continues disappointing so far as good result 1 ? are concerned, but men here havo for so long been accustomed to adverse influences and unsatisfactory returns that their continuance gives caufie for uo alarm or surprise. Still, the better feeling and increased turn over noted last week continue to be a principal factor in tho market, and, if anything, this better side of affairs continues to expand. Merino holders are now fully confident that at the forthcoming sales in London raw wool will show no reduction whatever on last sales' prices, and hence no relief will be afforded to meot the present scale of values in Bradford. Topmakers continue- to press hard for fractional advances, but it is absolutely no good, spinners refusing to operate unless late bottom rates are taken. It is very significant as showing tho trend of values on this market, but hero are particulars worth considering. "Worsted coatings have thus far been tho staple product of this great centre, consuming very large quantities of fine grade wool in their production. The following table shows the present-day current price of

Jadoo, for potting plants, raising seeds, etc. Jadoo increases tho size of flowers, prolongs their season of bloom, and is indisponsable for the garden or juuwy.— Nimmo and Blair, Dunedia

this article, the price per yard a year ago being also exhibited for comparison : —

It will he soon from tho above that present prices aro clown on the average by 2^d per yard, while to-day's rates for yarns such as these are made from are l£d per 1b dearer than a year ago. Crossbreds are, if anything-, a trilio firpor all round. Eno;li«h descriptions continue without life, though there is parb buyiiis; at the countiy L>irs for tliis market. Mohair is steady at 19d. Spinners roporl more doing, while manufacturers for fashionablo cloihs aro exceptionally busy. Consumption on the whole is better.

Description Worsted coatings... "\Veisht. in oz. ... 10 ... 12 ... 31 „. IB ... IS ... 20 ... 22 ■nine IB9S. s. (1. 1 5 1 11 1 lft 2 1 2 4 a 7 2 10 June 1897. s. d. 1 ft 1 10 2 1 2 4 2 7 2 10 3 i