SYDNEY SHEEP SHOW.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1484, 5 July 1912, Page 8

SYDNEY SHEEP SHOW.

TUB BRITISH BRKEDS.

Referring to last week's Sydney Sheep Show, Hie "Herald" savs (lie exhibition of Hritish breeds showed a marked improvement on that of last year, the entries being more Jimnarous and the sheep in some cliis.-es lieiiis of higher charae(<;r. Certainly a few of thu sheep exhibited were- n little poor in condition, but most of the breeders who generally exhibit won- again represented. Another factor in connection with this section which places it on a different basis to that of the merino, is the wider representation of these breeds. The exhibition of Hritish breeds is now Australasian in character, as llockmaste.rs from- no less than lour States of the Commonwealth and from New Zealand sent forward exhibits.

Those who have followed the history of sheop-breediiig in Australia, and read that tide by side with- the great development of oversea meat markets and tho trend

of elo.-er settlement, realise what big possibilities there are for breeders of fongwools. The demand for sheep which combine wool and mutton producing qualities has'come lo stay, and must become move insistent as closer settlement grows apace. This is where the British breeds c.omo in fov crossing with the merino ewe, and again with the progeny' of that cross. Tim merino sheepman is an' enthusiast, and nothing pleases him so much as the opportunity of drawing coiiipiu'wiMs between two good rams or ewes. The follower of the British breeds is, fur that maUer, quite as keenly devoted to his lype, whether it be Lincoln, Shropshire, Lcice.-ler, nr ifoniney Marsh. With IIk! merino there is but one brood class, but in the cu-p of British breeds there'' are quite a number of distinct classes, and each breeder follows up the one which he believes to l:e the best, to bleed from. Each breeder is certain in his own mind Hint the Lincoln is superior to tho Leiee.-tt-r nr the Leicester, to the Shropshire, and su on. Thus each secLion of the British breed bail its little coterie of enthusiasts, «ml the judging in. the pavilion was keenly watched and as keenly criticise;!. To say that all the exhibitors wore satisfied would be tantamount to asserting that judges .ire infallible. I'cw shiny exhibitors would grant that. An exhibitor in one section, who brought a valuable consignment 700 miles (from Victoiia), was sorely disappointed at th? result of the awards, while another from New Zealand was not quite pleased with the result. However, every breeder understands fully what the chances are before, he outers his stock. Konniey Marsh showed probably the most definite improvement of any breed exhibited in tin: section. The. advent of .Messrs. Victor and W. 11. Yelland, of Victoria,, into the arena gave additional interest lo tho competition in this class. A. Victorian breeder adjudicated, and the distribution "of the awards was not received witli the satisfaction that was to be desired. It will be remembered that last year there seemed to be a good deal of confusion ns to some phases of the type in this section, and again this year the same tivmblo has appeared. Although it is, of course, impossible for a judge to plea,se every exhibitor, the position would be simplified by an accepted clearer definition or ideal'of type for judges to work on. There is a type evolved, not in one generation or two, but-which has been handed down by breeders through a century ,or mure, "and there .is always the danger that adjudication may be niado on personal ideals, based, perhaps, on experience, but not on' the history of the breed tlmmsh a century. This type has, however, received some variation, and the point that appears to require deciding Is exactly what is to be accepted as orthodox.

The exhibition this year certainly indicates that breoders arc getting away more from the Leicester 'type,;and an improvement in size was evident. There were two ram lambs, 10 months old, shown, which for ftize and quality stand superior to any shown during recent years. Mr. S. S. Hunt, of Evans Plains, iSathurst, who won live grand championships for ram, and ewe last year, was again successful. This breeder won five first, two second, and two third prizes. Messrs. V. and \V. 11. Yelland also won a number of nri/ps, principally in the eve. clnwcs. .Mr. George F. Boyle, the Molong breeder, exhibited some young rams, which have btc-n sold for export to file Argentine.

Border Leicester* funned: a very pood class, the exhibits boim,' true to type and of excellent qualify. As u.-usil, the Nrv Zealand breeder, Mr. Jtvi-ph Dowrlnvaite. of Waimate, CnnU-rbury, was Ilin most: successful exhibitor. (.'oinpot-itioii was, however, very keen. Only three old rams wrro shown, but there w.vc numerous entries in the class far two-ycar-ohl rams. They were of gDoil, ovph (jiiality, and heavily covered. The ewes formed a very good class, and in Hip two-year-old class tlin judge had difficulty in raining to. a decision. There was very little to choose Letwceu the three placed ewes, the blue ribbon going to a very nice ewe shown by Mr. Dowthwaitp. Shropshires were npiu but poorly represented, but Lineolus wero largely in evidence, nltlicugh the rjunlity was not, us n whole, fqiml to last year. New South was not represented ntflll'in the English Leicester?, the chief competitors being breeders from Tasmania and New Zoalnnd. The grand champion ram was .shown by Mr. John Nixon, of Canterbury, New Zealand, the most snecessful exhibitor, winning three first and five second irzcs in this section. Ihc grand champion was a good specimen of the type, nicely shaped and well covered with'fair quality-wool. The same owner had the grand champion ewe, which was well-sprung, large-framed, and true to tvpo-generally. A distinct improvement was nol'ced in the quality of many of the youii" sheop. Another successful exhibitor in this section was Mr. K. S. Heazlewood, of .Melton Vole, AVhitemore (Tasmania), who won two first and one second prizes. The {jrp.ud championships in Border Leicester? were awarded a fine, well-grown ■ram, shown by Mr. George Hartne.ll. of Wnrro. CQ.), securing the verdict, 'this breeder was very successful, winning three first and two third prize;. Mr. Joseph Dowthwaire, of Canterbury (New .Zealand), v.-pu Hi? grniid-championslup for owes, with a ewe which the owner, "trani'i.'ly cuotiijh, regarded a? inferior to others o'f his sheep. Mr. ftowthwaite won three Hr»t and three second prizes.