Blackfaced Sheep.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 22

Blackfaced Sheep.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, — It is quite evident to me after reading the report of (he last Duneditj show, that the noble breed of blaok-faced sheep is almost unknown, and the little that is known of them in New Zealand seems to be very prejudicial to the breed, t Wtte bora and bred amongst black cattle anp black-faced sheep, and although it is a

fow j ears since I parted with the black taces, 1 v.as delighted to tind them at the Dunedin show. With your permission, Sir, I will try to place the breed before your readers in quite a different position to the one in which the " old Scotch gentleman " whom your reported was unfortunate to meet at the pea of the two specimens exhibited at Dunedin put them. My old friend's knowledge of what is going on at present in Scotland must, be very vague — in fact, I doubt if he has visited Scotland for quite half a century, or I feel sure he would not have said that this noble breed is " only to be found in remote parts of Scotland." Why, Sir, there are more black faces in Lanarkshire, Perthshire, Mid Lothian, and other Lowland counties than anywhere else in Scotland. Half a century ago, I admit, the North of Scotland was heavily stocked with this breed, but the country then under sheep is now under deer. Such breeders as " Glenbuck," "Borland," " Woolfords," " Low Ploughland," " Bogside," and " Overshields " are certainly not to be found in the " remote parts " of Scotland. I have carefully looked into the sales of purebred cheep in Scotland for the last eight years, and find there is only one other breed, the Border Leicester, that oan oome near the black faces for high prices. In 1906 the highest-priced black-faced sheep was £190: in 1005, £130; in 1904, £125; in 1903, £123; in 1902, £75; in 1901, £100; in 1900, £150; in 1899. £150. And this is the bread, Sir, that my old friend says "is of little commercial value and their fleece is principally long ihair." As to their commercial value, I have seen lambs sold off " the bonnie purple heather " at from 10s to 18s, and it is quite a recognised fact that in the great Smithfield market in Londan the black Pofled cattle and the blackfaced sheep oan always command the highest prices. As to their " hair," there is no plaid, no kilt, in the world like the plaid and kilt our fathers used to wear, made from the <l hair " of their own special black-faced sheep. Then it was a new euit every eighth or tenth year; now it is one every y6ar. I do hope, Sir, the imported black faces will get a fajr chance in tb-is country* I hope t6 see them again at Dunedin, and It may be thai they will receive a Jittle of the ■' switching " svhich I beiw other

breeds being treated to before being judged. — I am, etc., Wa. Robebtson. Gladbrook Farm, Middlemarch, January 5.