TO THE EDITOR ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENTS

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 5, 16 April 1845, Page 3

TO THE EDITOR ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENTS

Sir, —It is with pleasure I observe my humble endeavour to draw attention to the subject of long wool growing has been somewhat successful. For your own remarks and calculations I must thank you, they exactly aggreeing with what I have repeatedly stated to the Auckland settlers, and what I intended advancing in this paper. I am aware the results shewn by such calculations are so prodigiously in favour of this colony, as to astound most people unacquainted with long woolled sheep breeding, and I am also aware that most short wool breeders are prejudiced against the long wool breeds: Nevertheless, I am fully convinced, such results will be fully realised in this country. But you mi t tinderstand it is on European grasses the t n p must be fed, to yield such returns ; and it : ac peculiar adaptation of the climate and lig soils of this country to the production of European grasses and clovers which gives it such a decided advantage. The adjoining colonies haye frequently tried to produce such grasses, but in New South Wales every attempt has failed, and in Van Diemen's Land, it is only in few instances, and on limited spots, they have partially succeed? Ed; consequently, the natural pasturage of those countries must be relied upon, and thus the difference is created. I will now, with your permission, reply to the letter of X., which also appears in your last paper, on this subject. With X.'s remarks that it is impossible to overrate the importance of this subject, I fully coincide, and to support my position by facts, as far as present circumstances allow me. I first assure X., that I am so far a practical man, that having been brought up to sheep breeding in England, having practised it there on an extensive scale, having much pleasure in the calling, I also have studied the subject, and having, inspected various flocks in different parts of England, Australia, and Tasmania, I ought to claim some share of practical experience. K. observes, that the country around Auckland has been described to him as an agricultural, not a pastoral one, and consequently it cannot be there I have proved my calculations, that he has a feeling that practical opinions were unfavourable. I confess that my opinion was at first sight unfavourable as others might be ; but a few months showed me the contrary ; and, having applied my attention to the subject, I was soon convinped great results might be looked for. If K. has not heard of wool being exported from Auckland, I can assure him it has, though not in such quantities as to form a staple commodity. There are several flocks in the district, of various breeds; and two gentlemen are holders of the Leicester breed, which Rusticus imported from Tasmania about two years ago. One of these flocks, although running in the bush amongst the scrub where the fleece became much torn, yielded upwards of 7 lbs. each, of an exceedingly fine texture and length of staple. The other, which were partly fed on European grasses, attained a greater weight. The owner of other flocks in the neighbourhood, consisting of merino's and half bred Leicester and merino, fed part of each sort on European grasses, the result of which was that the half bred, on European grasses, realised nearly 71bs. each, and those bush fed about 51bs. —the merino's as 31bs. 21bs. respectively. I again assure X., that although the district around Auckland is an agricultural one, it is also in many places (so far as a bush country goes) a good pastoral one ; and as to European grasses, there are several fields sovra therewith, and clovers, which, without fear of contradiction, I assert will keep well six sheep per acre. Well, K. must please again to remark, that it is the certainty of a prolific production of these crops that throws the balance so much in favour of this country; and although indigenous grasses will spring and continue to improve in this colony where stock are grazed, it is only by the application of European grasses that the full results of my calculations must be looked for. I am aware that sheep breeding is only in its infantile state in this country, compared with the sister colonies, but I have seen sufficient to satisfy my mind that no uncertainty prevails, and that the country is decidedly a pastoral one, and will prove one of the best in the world for such purposes. As to K. being so suddenly informed of this important subject, I regret he was'not sooner informed; I did what I conld to inform my fellow settlers to the northward, as soon as I was convinced on the matter, and feel pleasure in calling attention to *it here, purely in hopes of doing good to the country generally. I aui aware that much mischief is done by statements prematurely made,' which system I have publicly condemned. But I have no objects to serve, no ends to attain by advancing this subject. Having no interest in either settlements, and being about to quit the country, probably for ever, I wished to do all the good I could to my fellow pioneers in this land, of troubles, by directing attention to the most, profitable channel for investment of the remaining capital of the colonists. Rusticus iaforms X., that he did keep a journal of obser-

vations, but left them for the use a late partner in the neighbourhood of Auckland. If K. wishes for any further proof of the facts stated as to the production of wool near Auckland, or any part of this letter, Rusticus, whose address K. will find at the office of this paper, will be happy to refer K. to the parties above alluded to. With respect to the sum of £1,000 being invested judiciously in sheep stock, I trust the following calculations will prove, that it will under proper management yield a retnrn of £500 annually. Suitable land can now be obtained of natives and of land claimants for five shillings per acre, which can be sufficiently cleared for sevenand sixpence an acre, and the seed required need not exceed 17s. 6d. per acre, making a total of £1 145., per acre or £340 for 200 acres of land, which would feed 400 ewes and their produce until they became marketable. Allowing £500 being £1 55., each as the cost of the ewes, there remains .£l6O for the erection of Hut, fold, pens, &c, for wages and incidental expenses, from which sum would also be spared sufficient for two or three cows, pigs, and poultry, which would materially assist a new beginner in this undertaking, and not at all interfere with the sheep keeping. Now allowing a reduction of more than 10 per cent annually for loss, " which is more than necessary in this climate," the produce, allowing Is. per R) for wool, and 3d. per B5 for mutton, would yield £600 per annum, leaving £100, besides the pro-, duce of the cows, pigs and poultry, for the expences of management, which is sufficient for so small a flock. The above I conceive a tolerably judicious mode of investing the sum in question, circumstances however might vary and in many instances prove more favourable, such a3 a good natural run obtainable at an easy rate when more time might be taken to grass it, seed being simply thrown thereon-in autumn and trampled in by the sheep. To show more fully the prospects held out by the investment of capital in this stock, (which I assure K. is now allowed by both practical and non-practical men in the Auckland district as a certainty instead of a speculation,) suppose a party possessed of a good natural run, (which can often be leased at a nominal rent,) and on which as in several places in this country, it is only necessary to sow a little grass and clover as above iecommended, namely, in the autumn to be trampled in by the sheep which would increase as the flock increased. Suppose such party possessed of 1,000 young ewes to commence upon, taking a peiiod of seven years increasing the fllock annually by retaining all the female produce, the result would be, after allowing 10 per cent for loss, a standing flock of about 8,000 ewes, and the returns in wool,at one shilling per pound, would be £9,000, and carcases to boil down at ten shillings each £4,000, making a total of £13,000 or taking the average nearly £2,000 per annum for the seven years. It is iv the latter years the increase adds so fast, and it will be readily observed that the increase of such a flock would in a succeeding seven years be the foundation of a princely fortune. Suppose however, that a flock of Leicester's or long woolled sheep cannot be obtained to commence upon, then allow a reduction of 3 pounds of wool each for half-bred Leicesters, the return would be £10,000, but this might be increased by gradually crossing into the Leicester blood. K. says, supposing the country when got possession of turns out favourable, &c. Now in addition to the assurances i have above given of the success of the flocks in the north, (and to the owners of which I shall be happy to refer,) I would like to call the attention of K. to some three parts Leicester lambs, the property of W. M. Smith, R. A., now running on bis station at Terawetti, on natural pasturage only, which I am convinced will at clip day yield from five to six pounds of wool each, and of excellent quality, weighing at same time 70f15 each ; this flock is a living trial which I will soon prove itself to X., and I trust I need say no more to convince him that the country is really favourable for sheep farming. K. remarks that the sheep imported here have been mostly merinos, and without care in selection. They undoubtedly have been so, nearly all have been the colonial merino, few of which are pure, which is however little matter as neither are constitutionally adapted for this climate ; they will always be subject to disease, where the long woolled sheep will not be, the short woolled breeds will bear more fatigue in travelling, but the long wools most severity of climate. The long woolled breeds certainly require more nutritious food ; • and here I must again remark is the difference in countries; as the neighbouring colonies do not produce a sufficient nuti tious food for the heavier animal, and this country will do it. As to the process of changing the breed being to accomplish, such is easily done by those who have to import taking care to have as good as possible selected ; as for those who are now breeding short wools and wish to increase their wool, they must be content to wait and use cross bred rams increasing gradually, that being the only way to insure uniformity. With respect to the proper management of a flock, it would be necessary to write a treatise to give every minute, which if I was even capable of doing, time will not now allow of, I must therefore content myself with giving K. a few general observations on the subject; I would however recommend any person unacquainted with the management of sheep and the different breeds, not to trust too much to books. Book farming whether in the agricultural or sheep department, is exceedingly dangerous. Ideas thus gathered being unsuitable to local circumstances parties are very often led astray thereby, it is better to trust to experienced people, for though the expense may seem greater it will well repay the outlay. " It is .necessary to dress for the scab all sheep arriving from the colonies, immediately on arrival there being considerable disease there, and if a flock starts from its station clean and healthy, they are almost sure to get contaminated onjheir way to the shipping port, and as they often take cold and suffer some fever on the passage the distemper is thereby encouraged, and if allowed to remain any time gets deeply seated in the constitution, by which a most serious loss is sustained; young maiden ewes are the safest to ship, and the season about a month after clip. Do not allow thent much green food or too much water the first few days after landing Again on the subject of disease, be careful to have the ewes as clean as

possible prior to turning the ram amongst them, and particularly »a their state of pregnancy, for disease bred in the lambs will scarcely ever be eradicated. A few weeks prior to turning the rams into a flock, let the ewes be but sparingly fed until 14 days prior to so doing, when keep them as well as possible and so throughout the season. When in a state of pregnancy take care they are as little hurried or disturbed by dogs as possible, and particularly that they have no rails or gutters to jump across in from one pasturage to another. Have sheltered pens for taking care of weakly lambs when and sickly ewes and grow a few cabbages or other green stuff for the latter, having a cow or two on the station to produce a little milk for the lambs of sickly ewes, which mut be given in small quantities, fresh from the cow. I need not advise as good keeping as possible during the season of rearing, most flockmasters would think of that. It is neccessary to keep the lambing station in as sheltered a spot as poosible, on dry ground, and away from water holes, as ewes very commonly creep near such places and lose there young lambs therein; besides, ewes have commonly a great thirst upon them for a day or two after ' lambing, and if they get too much water, fever and loss is frequently the consequence. Ewes, during the lambing season, ought to be folded at night, and the shepherds expected to see them about c very-two hours during tie nighfy as well as day, by these precautions much loss is prevented. If sheep are obliged to be folded at night, they ought to be let out very early in the morning, not as too commonly in the colonies after the shepherd has had his breakfast. It is too common for shepherds to herd the flocks, which is a very injurious system. They cannot be allowed too general a range, so long as they are driven together in the evening, and when used to a biding place, will invariably adhere to it if not disturbed. The lives of many sheep will be saved by the watchful eye of an experienced shepherd or overseer, bleeding, &c, in time to arrest dissease. These form the principal features of general management for which I can find time and space to mention. There is much in the division of flocks to suit the respective rams used, to keep uniformity, which is a great matter in making wool saleable, and a cross of blood, though of the same description of animal, is necessary about ever third year. If it is desired to increase the wool of sheep, as I have before observed, let it be done gradually, or great variety will be the consequence. There are only two or three breeders in Van Diemen's Land of the Liecester sheep, but half-bred do. can be had in several places in that country, at Port Phillip, and of Peter Imlay, Esq., Twofold Bay, there are few if any- in the SySney district. I feel, Mr. Editor, that I am tresspassing too far on your columns; but I must beg, before I conclude this letter, again to allude to the subject of grasses. I have before remarked, that it is :he fact of the European grasses, (or rather I ought to say, the grasses and clovers used in England,) thriving soprodigously here, which first called my attention to this subject, and subsequently convinced me so fully of their importance. Many.may imagine the indigenous grasses of I his country sufficient, if not equal to those before alluded to, but in that respept I beg to differ; for although there are some indigenous, grasses similar to the European, they will nt grow near so prolific at first, if indeed they ever attain the same perfection. Those used in England have only attained their present state of perfection by continued good cultivation for a number of years. There are, however, several herbs indigenous to this country, which will mix with the grasses, and be of much service in feeding and keeping the stock in a healthy state. I remain, Sir, 1 _" .Tf our obedient servant, RysTicus. Wellington, April 11, 1845.