IMPORTATION OF SHEEP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2433, 31 October 1900, Page 16

IMPORTATION OF SHEEP.

AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT.

(Fkobi Oub, Own- Co-respondent.). AUCKLAND, Oetrfber 26.

There was landed by the Moana on Wednesday a pen of Tunis sheep, consisting ot six ewes and two rams. This breed of sheep is comparatively xinknown, and these new arrivals are the first of the "kind ever landed in this colony. Originally the native sheep of the country, the Bey of Tunis many years ago presented a select number of the breed to the United States Minister, who shipped them to his country, where they have been ev«r since carefully handled and the breed kept absolutely pure. The recently imported sheep are the descendants of these. It is claimed for them that they possess some very valuable merits. In the first place, they are regarded as the most hardy and disease-re-sisting breed of sheep in existence. Their mutton is said to possess a peculiarly sweet flavour, and American butchers who have handled it pay more for a Tunis carcase than for any other mutton. Their wool is of a good character, being fine, but of strong fibre, though a shade light. "" They are good mothers and perennial -breedsrsj

and their prepotency is so great that they] transmit this and their other characteristics with remarkable certainty. They are moderate in size — just suitable for freezers. Their docility is so marked , that they frequently follow their shepherd about like sheep dogs. This shipment was made by Messrs William Cooper and Nephew, of Berkhampslead, England, to their New Zealand agent, Mr Harrowell, of Manurewa, Auckland, and are intended for experimental purposes.