ROMNEY SHEEP.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20050, 7 April 1914, Page 2

ROMNEY SHEEP.

AND A KENTISH JUDGE

MR. E. SHORT'S OPINIONS CRITI-

CISED ,

A couple of weeks ago we mentioned that Mr^ Ernest Short, 'the well-known Feilding breeder of-Romney sheep, had objected i.6 the iudge appointed for Romney sheep in connection with the Panama Exposition. The officials have appointed as judge a man from, Kent, and Mr. Short considers this unfair; there should be another judge, and from some other place. Kent, he says, is only 30 miles across, and a Kentasih judge would know every sheep within the borders. He therefore contends that another judge should also be appointed to act with the Kentish' judge. / A writer m the Ohristchurch "Press/ George Gardner, of Medbury, deals with Mr." Short as follows:—

" Mr. Short has received great kudos for his efforts as a breeder of Romneys in New Zealand, and there was a mild furore when ho scored in Argentine, all of which may mean much or not bo much in the Romney world, according' tc the standpoint taken, but the Napoleonic tactics which-he now adopts" towards the Kentish man, and the men of Kent, the county whore,the bered originated, -may mean a Waterloo for somebody if persisted in. But anyway the case has a bearing on the ethics of stud sheep breeding, and is so very farreaching in its^ application to ordinary sheep farming, especially here in New Zealand, that perhaps a few remarks may not be out of glace. First, Mr. Short's jibe, that Kent is a small place, may be admitted, but for its size I doubt if there is any place in the world where more sheep are carried—as long ago as 20 years slightly under a million sheep for slightly over a million acres. Other things taken into consideration this is marvellous. But as far as New Zealand and other countries having a similar climate is concerned, the fact remains that the two breeds are not surpassed in the world, as the small farmers' sheep, practically originated within its borders. 1 refer to the Romney and the Southdown. So much for what the size of a place amounts to. "Second, as to why a Kentish man should be appointed a judge of Romneys. These sheep got their characteristics from their habitat on the Romney marshes in Kent. These characteristics are an invaluable asset to the breed. A tendency in the true type to be immune from footrot, a stomach that will turn up at nothing, an inveterate forager, very hardy as to bleak and wet weather. They bear closer stocking than other breeds, and the e~we in her capacities and instincte as a mother cannot be excelled. In addition these sheep are of large size, the wool of long staple and great weight. Now, if Mr. Short is going to sweep away environment in one act, with all it means concerning type and character, then, as far as sheep-breeding is concerned he is starting a nevy era. The result may be a 'mirabile dictu' sort of sheep in his hands, but personally, 1 would rather have type and character in perfect proportions to fit the surroundings than an excess of one thing, say wool, at the expense of another thing,, say constitution, which in the end gives the whole show away. This piling of wool greatly, impresses those who don't know, and is counted by them a- great 'improvement.'

"The ideal sheep has not arrived, and is not likely to arrive. My own opinion is that the majority of New Zealand country is suitable for Romney ewes, and if for the fat lamb trade we' cross them with a Southdown ram, we will score quicker than any other way. I have enumerated the qualities in which the Romney ewe surpasses all others. Those of the Southdown ram as a mate for her are: prepotency, it boasts a purer lineage than most breeds, fecundity (the percentage of lambs they get is about the highest, if not the highest, of all breeds), early • maturity, beautiful symmetry (the oarcase being the best proportioned of -any), and last, but not least, in my opinion, the Southdown ram is on the small side, and the Romney ewe on the large side. With a combination of that sort, it is wonderful how a sheepfarmer's troubles disappear. The other way about they certainly don't.

In conclusion, I look forward to the time when we shall got ninepence a pound for lamb that shall in every way be worth it. So anything that helps New Zealand sheepfarmers to a right conclusion on the matter should, I think, be welcomed."