WOOL CLASSING

Southland Times, Issue 17764, 24 September 1914, Page 2

WOOL CLASSING

XN'TKKKSTJNG PRACTICAL WOKK. As showing tho interest taken by stud breeders in the classes for instruction in woo) classing’ and tho study of wool characteristics, during this season besides the large number of farmers and students who have visited the .studs in their own locality, some fifty fanners, a large number of local students and about forty boys of the agricultural class from the Waitaki .High .School have visited the Mount Royal Kstato by invitation, and these numbers were further increased on Friday last, when a party of thirty farmers and others interested. under the direction of Mr .T. McGregor, export in charge of the wool classes under the Jild ucation Hoard. journeyed to Mt. Royal at tho invitation of tho manager, Mr Murray, for the purpose of inspecting and engaging in some practical tests of stud sheep. After a general inspection of (tie studs, the test's were proceeded with. The sheep were Border Bcicesters. Corriedales. and' Merinos, and the method of judging was by points under several headings given by Mr .McGregor.' special attention being devoted to constitution, symmetry and wool. During the tests demonstrations by Mr McGregor and Mr Murray (the manager! were given, and with a. view to assisting wool growers to select stud sheep with coverings true to typo. -Mr McGregor drew special attention to the studs with the desired covering, pointing out that stud wool is not generally understood, the tendency being to select rams with a covering that is generally designated "a pretty wool." Following the sheep tests, for the benefit of the farmers present, some valuable Polled Angus cattle and a stallion were paraded, while a very fine exhibition was given by one of the men with a highly valuable dog specially imported for sheep work by the Mount Royal Estate. At the conclusion Mr McGregor pointed out that the support the stud breeders have a right to expect is not yet forthcoming, and as we are dependent on studs such a-s Mount Royal for the maintenance and improvement of the crossbred flocks of the country and also for the supply of well bred crossbred ewes for the fat lamb raisers, the action of stud breeders who have gone out. of their way to assist farmers, students and others interested, could not be appreciated too highly. At Mount Royal the arrangements for the field day were most complete, and the value of the visit was greatly enhanced by this fact. Before leaving, on behalf of the party Mr McGregor warmly thanked Mr Murray and his men for the trouble they had gone to, and a special vote of thanks was extended to Miss Murray and her assistants for the very excellent lunch provided.