BRITISH SHEEP IN THE UNITED STATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 10

BRITISH SHEEP IN THE UNITED STATES.

A pamphlet . issued by the United States Department of Agriculture in connection with the introduction of various British breeds of sheep into the States deals with some interesting matter in that connection. All ■ domestic sheep in America have originated from importations, most, of them having been made since the beginning of the nineteenth century. Reference is made to the fixed localities in which the distinct breeds of British sheep are the leading varieties, and it is pointed out that, while breeds have not fixed themselves to clearlydefined areas, as is the case in England, the tendency is in this direction. In certain districts the Down breeds are gaining in popularity, whilst the long-woolled breeds are going towards the North and North-west. It has been found that there is not one best breed for any section, but there are indications which show that whilst two or three breeds do' equally well'in a certain section,,it is a fact that some breeds have proved themselves more suitable than others for special districts. The classification is on the basis of the fleece—fine wools, medium wools, and coarse wools. The merinos were introduced into the United States in the year 1793 by a breeder in Massachusetts. In the year 1801 he had to pay as much as lOOOdol for a ram. The merino gradually gained great popularity, and it is said that in the year 1810 something like 10,000 were imported, the ewes selling up .to iOCOdol and the rams to 1500dol. The Rambouilet merinos were, introduced later, in 1840, and are largely used at the present time. The first of the purely English breeds referred to is the Southdown. The writer gives the breed the credit of 200 years of purity of breeding. He plaecs to the credit of the late J. Ellman, of Glynde, and Jonas Webb, of Berkhamsfced, the modern development of the Southdown sheep. The first trustworthy record of the importation of Southdowns to America is in 1803 'or thereabouts. The importer was Dr Rise, of Seneca County, New York. The distribution of the breed is wide in the United States, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Mexico to Canada. The rams are largely used —in fact, almost exclusively -in . Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, for the production, of spring lambs; but their popularity has been secured by the quality of flesh, the development and general symmetrical condition of the carcase. .. It is pointed out that in the carcase tests of Chicago, since the International Show was established there in 1900, the Southdown, its grades and crossbreds, have won 51 out of 84 possible prizes; five out of the 11 grand champions have been of Southdown breeding. While the Southdown Sheep Society of England published their first flock book in 1892, the American Southdown Society issued their first flock book in and have recorded 34,645 sheep. Shropshires were imported as far back as 1855 to Virginia. A second importation was taken over in 1860. They are almost exclusively used in the West for grazing on the ranges, and it is considered that the Shrop is kept to a larger or smaller extent in every State in the Union. The success of the breed, as exhibited at the Chicago International Show, is referred to. It is said -that though the breed formerly was deemed somewhat light in the hindquarters, notable improvement has been accomplished in that respect. The date of the establishment of the English Society is given as 1882, and that of the American Society as 1884, and it is the largest Sheep. Society in America. As far as can be ascertained, Mr T. Messinger, of Great Western, Long Island, made one of the earliest, if not the earliest, importations of Hampshires to America in 1865 For the quarter of a century following, very few -were imported, but in' 1880 renewed interest was attracted fb the breed, and the importations were much more frequent. No breed of sheep, it is stated, will give more satisfactory returns than the Hampshires if well looked after. It is pointed out, however, that the tendency of the breed to deteriorate is verv pronounced unless kept up to the highest standard. The lambs are widely used on the ranges for cross-breeding purposes, the crossbred lambs being large, while they grow rapidly. The breed is also favourably thought of in districts where early lambs are wanted. The English Society was established in the year 1889, and the American Society in the same year. Of the Oxford Downs it is said that since the first importation to the United States by Mr C. Raybold, of Delaware, in 1846, the breed has made

very extensive progress in America. In 1853 Mr W. Rives introduced them to Virginia, and also Mr R. S. Fay, of Tynan, Massachusetts. A considerable number of purebred flocks exist at the present day in the United States, many of them being maintained to supply the ranges with rams, for which they are greatly fancied, as well as on lands where there is abundant pasture. The English Association was established in 1888, and the American Society in 1882. The Dorset Horn is a well-known and favoured breed in the Home Country, and noted for its early maturity and fecundity. The American writer gives a great deal of the credit for the development of this breed to Mr Seymour, of Bradpole, who began his improvement about' 1830, and to Mr M. Paul, of Burstock. It was not introduced into the United States until 1882, when a consignment was taken to Virginia. They were exhibited at Chicago in 1885, and in 1887 direct importations were made from Great Britain by three breeders, and in 1889 Mr T. S. Cooper, of Pensylvania, imported 153 head. Subsequently many importations were made, and at the present time the breed is found in at least 32 States of the Union. The English Breeders' Association was founded in 1891, and that for America in 1897. Mr M. B. Streeter, of Brooklyn, New York, introduced the first importation of Suffolks to the United States in 1888. They are now distributed in 16 States of the Union. The fecundity of this breed is very high, and they have proved to be an early maturity sheep, and there is a big demand for the ram lambs for breeding purposes. The English Society was established in 1888 and the American Society in 1892. The Cheviot is a popular breed, and lias done remarkably well. The first importation recorded is a consignment taken to Canada in 1825, and another, lot was landed in the Delaware County, United States, in 1838, but till 1880 there was not a great deal of active interest taken in the breed. Since that date, however, the breed has forged rapidly ahead, the mutton proving of excellent quality and weighing out well. It is claimed that the American breeders have very much improved this breed. Both the societies in Scotland and America were formed in the year 1891. Of the Welsh mountain breed it is said that sufficient time has not yet elapsed to give any definite decision as to their value. Seventy head were imported in the year 1902. A small importation of Exmoors was made by Mr T. Evans, of Illinois, in 1910, and a second importation by the same breeder in the following year: The breed is spoken of in favourable terms, and it is thought that as soon as they become better known they will be popular on the hilly areas of America. Ryelands were imported by Mr George MacKerrow in the year. 1907, and so far have given every satisfaction. A Canadian breeder, Mr F. Neale, of Ontario, imported the first lot of Kerry Hill sheep across the Atlantic in 1909. The result of experiments carried out by the University of-Wyoming with-these sheep showed them to be a hardy, vigorous breed, but shearing somewhat lighi and offering no evidence of superior merit from a mutton standpoint. Lonks were taken to the United States in 1908, 50 ewes and five rams being imported, and in-'l9ll three more rams were imported by the same people. They have been found to do fairly well, but are nnsuited for range conditions, there being difficulty in herding them. In dealing with the Leicesters the work of Mr R. Bakewell is referred to,'and also the Dishley Society, founded in 1790. It is stated that the records show that President Washington used rams of this breed to improve his flock at Mount Vemon, which at that time numbered 8000 head. There is no doubt that pure Bakewell ewes were taken over. The Washington flock was dispersed in 1802. and some of these animals were purchased at that sale, and taken away to. found the Arlington flock, whence they spread to various sections of the country. To Mr C. Dunn, of Albany, New York, belongs the credit of making the first importations of Cotswolds to America, and thev have spread all over the United States. The rams and ram lambs are largely used for cross-breeding purposes, in which they have proved most successful. The American Society was founded in 1878, and that in England in 1892. The Lincolns, which are stated to have been an established breed as far back as 1749, were introduced in 1796, and in 1825 Mr A. A. Lawrence took over to Massachusetts 10 head of the improved type. This breed does fairly well in arable farming sections, but it has been found' to require a fairly humid climate to secure the best development. The crossbred lambs produced are noted as being exceptionally profitable, and very popular in the -early lamb market. Of the Romney Marsh breed it is stated that the adaptability of the breed to the United States has yet to be determined. The few that have been imported—l 24 head or so—during the past three years, where they have been crossed upon finewoolled ewes, have given large, strong lambs. It is noted that it is probable that the breed will take a high place amongst the other long-wool breeds <of the United States.

Up to the present there has not been a great demand for harvesters in the county this season (states the Ashburton Guardian), and plenty of men are in -waiting in Christchurch and other placea 10 proceed to this district immediately they are required. The average wage is Is 9d per hour, and so far there has been no oase reported where harvesters have demanded more than this amount.