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The important point is that, except for the fine-wool producer who runs Merinos, those three types of sheep-farmers do not exist independent of each other. Many a meat-producer loudly protests at any suggestion that he should shoulder some responsibility for the problems of the store breeder. The more far-seeing meat-producers think otherwise. They realize that the whole future stability of meat-production is bound up with the production of breeding stock on the hills. If a steady supply of breeding-ewes is not available, the meat-producer must breed his own ewes, the result being a reduction of up to 25 per cent, in his production of meat. The problems of any one section, therefore, are the problems of the whole industry, and their solution will allow all sheep-farmers to share the benefit. Map No. 1 shows the estimated movements of sheep from the breeding areas to the meat-producing areas of the North Island. 2. FACTORS IN SHEEP-FARMING (i) Breeds oe Sheep Used Before proceeding further in a description of the industry, it is advisable, perhaps, to say something of the sheep used. The breeds of sheep commonly used in New Zealand are as follows :

Breed. Country. Average Wool Count. Approximate Fleece Weight. Lamb, Per Cent. Products. lb. Merino .. Tussock grasslands, 60-64 7-8 50-70 Fine wool only. high country Half bred.. Tussock grasslands, 54-58 8 70-80 Fine wool. Crossed with danthonia and Southdown produces " Canterbury " lamb. brown-top country Corriedale Tussock grasslands, 54-58 8 70-80 Fine wool. Crossed with danthonia and Southdown produces " Canterbury " lamb. brown-top country Romney .. Improved pastures 44-48 10 80-120 Crossbred wool. Excellent in both Islands mother for fat-lamb production. Crossbred More than 70 per cent, of our sheep fall in this cate- | gory. The term has a special meaning in New Zealand •—-the sheep being really " grade " Romney,s 40-50 10 90-110 Crossbred wool. Excellent ! mother for fat-lamb production. Cheviot / Will thrive under 50 8 i110-120 Dual-purpose sheep (wool Romney conditions too and meat). Cross hard for the Romney. Being used as a cross with this breed Southdown Improved pastures 50-58 4 90-100 Fine down wool. Rams (kept used to cross with entirely Romney for fat-lamb for stud production. purposes)