DISPLAY OF SHEEP.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 8

DISPLAY OF SHEEP.

Best Seen at Show for Some Years. GOOD SEASON REFLECTED. The very good season which sheep breeders have enjoyed this year is reflected in the quality of the entries at the show, and competent judges are practically unanimous that the display is the best seen here for some years. The setback which stock received during the dry period last autumn has been overtaken, and the sheep were carried over the winter in good condition. The wet spring made the feed j somewhat soft, but lately it has hard- | ened up well. ! That in general wool should be in j much better condition this year than : was the case last season is indicated i by the superior quality of the entries :in the wool competitions. The growth of the fleece has been much better j than in previous seasons, the wool j being very bright and well grown. The , merino wool competition reflects a • good season in the back country, j which was the case except where snow was experienced, and no wool from | those districts is on show. The comi petitions are concerned with the commercial value of the fleece, weight and | value per pound being taken into consideration. Corriedales Outstanding. The Corriedale is again the outstanding section, with the Southdowns form- ! ing a splendid section that has earned ! the admiration of experts. Merinos | have also shown an advance in numerical strength of entries. Farmers and the general public have a good opportunity of making comparisons in each section through the new scheme introduced this year of bringing the prize-winners to the head of each section. The sheep which are the best in the judges’ opinion are therf* alongside each other, and this makes for a more interesting and educative tour of the pens.

The entries, which were judged by Dr F. W. Hilgendorf. Dr O. H. Frankel and Mr E. W. Ilullett, of the New Zealand Wheat Research Institute, are prominently displayed in the log cabin near the bandstand. Commenting upon the standard of the entries in the two classes, Dr Frankel said this morning that it was quite fair, and the level was up to expectations. The entries were mostly Jumbuck, which went to prove more and more that it was the most desirable variety. The entries in the class conducted by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association for the best samples of Tuscan or similar class of wheat judged on similar lines, did not reach a very satisfactory level, although the winning entry was an outstanding one. “ They are not up to the quality Canterbury could produce,” said Dr Frankel. Awards were as follows:—Wheat sample (B)—H. Kendall (Irwell) Jumbuck, 1; J. C. Chamberlain (Springston) Garnet, 2; R. r. Robinaon (Waikuku) Jumbuck 3. Best loaf (12)—J. C. Chamberlain (Springston) Garnet, 1; W. J. Bishop (Southhridge) Hunters, 2: R. Chamberlain (Ellesmere) Jumbuck. 3. Best samples of Tuscan (10) —R. Peach (Rangiora) 1, R. Crooks (Loburn) 2, J. C. Chamberlain 3. PIG SECTION. Good Entries and High Quality. ..The pig section of 92 wfs much bet ter than that of the previous year, and the quality as well as the numbers showed a high standard. General satisfaction with the general standard was expressed by the judge, Mr J. A. Rus sell, of Palmerston North. The Large Blacks impressed Mr Russell, who described the sows as a reallv good iot, showing quality and type. There was lack of competition in some sections, but the pigs exhibited were decidelv good. The judge found the Tamworth TBoars disappointing, with no outstanding exhibits among them, but some of the aged sows were as good as anything that had come out. The large Whites were the best exhibits in the show, and had made a big improvement since the judge was in Christchurch some years ago. There was a lack of finish in the porkers and baconers, some of the exhibits showing lack of finish, with a dry and wrinkly skin. Several in the export class showed quality and finish, but others were inclined to be long in the shank and lacking flesh. “Altogether,” said Mr Russell.” the pig exhibition was really a good one I was specially pleased with the Large Whites and with the Tamworth Sows.

SOME FINE CATTLE. Stock Have Wintered Well. It was evident from the appearance of the cattle, which were paraded in the rings, that the stock had wintettd well. They made a particularly tine' - "— showing, demonstrating that the various dairy breeds in Canterbury have improved during the last few years Mr J. C. Chamberlain won the championship for the second time this season with his imported bull Princeton Lomond, his first being at Ellesmere Show. This bull, which was bred bv his Royal Highness the Prince of \\ ales on his Canadian ranch, has been shown only twice in New Zealand and has succeeded in lifting the championship on each occasion. Messrs Parlane Bros’ Ayrshire bull Credholme Top Grade, the champion in his section, was also bred in Canada by the Credholme Stud Farm. The North Canterbury Jersev Cattle Club’s cup, presented to the best Tersey cow or heifer of any age and bred by the exhibitor, was won by Mr J. Fleming’s Silver Lass. The New Zealand Milking Shorthorn Association’s challenge cup for the best senior or junior yearling heifer was awarded to Mr F. C. Herridge’s heifer Millbrook Strawberry. AMBULANCE TENTS. To deal with any accidents that might happen, three St John Ambulance Association tents were provided on the ground. Four nursing sisters were on duty and a number of men members of the association were on roving commissions in the various sections of the show. Mr J. Becconsall, district officer, was in charge of the show staff. Mrs E. Angus was superintendent of the sisters.