H.—34a.

Certainly one-half and probably a greater proportion of the wool can now be termed 46's, the remainder being 48's, 44's, and some 40's. Except for Southdown wool, the amounts of other qualities are negligible. In other words, the North Island is concentrating on the production of a narrow range of wools with the position aggravated by the high proportion of 46's. From a marketing point of view this is probably undesirable, but an alteration in policy in the direction of growing a proportion of finer wools, which necessarily involves the introduction of Merino blood in some form, is beset with considerable difficulties. The question is bound up with climatic conditions and the requirements of the fat-lamb industry. It can be taken as proved that the areas of heavy rainfall and strong pastures are unsuitable for Merino X Longwool sheep and for the production of good half-bred wool, but there are on the other hand certain limited areas of high tussock country towards the centre of the Island which are more suitable for such sheep than for the Romney. It is safe to say that most of these districts were stocked with Merinos and Merino crosses in the earlier days, and that the more or less complete change over to longwool sheep has been brought about by the demands of the meat industry for a deep-bodied, low-set sheep, resulting in there being no market for half-bred store-sheep and cull ewes in the surrounding high rainfall districts. Quite possibly the type of wool in demand during the war also exerted a certain amount of influence. One canhot avoid the feeling that these areas should be producing more fine wool, but unless the properties are capable of fattening all their surplus stock, or are run in conjunction with fattening properties elsewhere, it is difficult to see how the present position can be altered. It may be argued that lack of experience of half-bred ewes is partially responsible for the existing prejudice, but it must be borne in mind that so many of the fat-lamb districts have a comparatively high rainfall, and that the winter conditions would be very trying for this type of sheep. In certain parts of the East Coast where fat lambs are raised, and where the climate is drier, draft ewes with a proportion of Merino blood might prove reasonably satisfactory, and under existing wool-prices any disadvantage might be compensated for by the greater value of their wool. The total area suitable for the production of the ewes would not, however, be very great. It must also be remembered that Merinos and their crosses were originally tried out on this country, and were eventually discarded for the Romney on the score of unsuitability ; and, further, that this occurred prior to the war period and its accompanying demand for strong wools. Bearing in mind the foregoing, and the relative values of lamb and wool, it is difficult to see how the half-bred ewe could be popularized to any extent. Alternative policies are the periodic use of Corriedale rams and selection for a finewoolled type of Romney. As regards the use of the Corriedale, various people in the lighter rainfall areas have put rams of this breed through their flocks from time to time. Needless to say, this cross results in a finer fleece, but Mr. A. C. Morton, who will be well known to you and who has had the opportunity of observing the results in detail, informs me that care is necessary when selecting the Romney ewes for this cross ; the results from good-woolled sheep are quite satisfactory, but, as one would expect, harsh, rough-woolled Romneys do not nick with the Corriedale ; the result is by no means a hundred-per-cent. success. The effect of this cross on the body conformation of the ewes must again be borne in mind. Every one aims at breeding low-set, deep-bodied sheep, and a suggestion of Merino conformation is anathema to the average Romney enthusiast. Selection for a fine-woolled type of Romney is definitely in vogue with a limited number of stationholders on the East Coast. It has the merit of largely increasing the percentage of 48's quality in their clip and, further, it is easier for the breeder to avoid medullation in fine Romney wool. At the same time, there is always the danger of an attempt to keep up the weight of the fleece by unduly increasing density when the wool invariably loses its handle and general character. Again, the finer-woolled Romneys are not, generally speaking, such deep-bodied sheep as those producing 46's, and therefore not quite so ideal for fat lambs. In this respect it is only right to say, however, that the breeders of the finer type of wool maintain that their draft ewes fetch full market value. There is a third alternative which might be mentioned, and that is the use of the Ryeland ram on the Romney ewe. This cross undoubtedly improves the carcass, and is an excellent move from the point of view of the meat trade, but the wool from the first cross is liable to be disappointing unless the ewes are selected with reasonable care. Ryeland wool classes from 50's to 56's, and well-grown clips from stud sheep are sold as half-bred. On the average, however, it does not possess the handle and character of Corriedale wool, and care must be taken in the selection of rams, or a harsh and wiry type of crossbred wool will result. It is significant, however, that two well-known farmers in the Kairanga who own also hill country properties, breed Ryeland X Romney ewes on the latter places for use on their Kairanga properties for the production of fat lambs. Further, the champion pen of lambs at the last Royal Show was by a Southdown ram out of Ryeland X Romney ewes. While certain breeders will always experiment with the object of evolving a new type of sheep which they fancy —e.g., the so-called Reform and Cottledown breeds and the Polwarth this habit is not likely to spread unduly. As regards indiscriminate crossing, it is hard to see how this can be carried out if the object be finer wool, since the Corriedale and, perhaps,

2—H.—34a.

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