PARORANGI DISPERSAL SALE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1746, 10 May 1913, Page 8

PARORANGI DISPERSAL SALE.

ROMNEYS, lIEKEFORDS, AND CLYDESDALES. AN ARISTOCRATIC SELECTION. In ten days' time the agricultural public will be given a unique opportunity of securing by public auction tome 01 tlie mosc classic purebred stock that lias been produced or imported into the Dominion. This clianco has been brought ai>out partly by the fact of Mr. Ernest Khort, the iiotea live-stock breeder of _Farorangi, Fending, having disposed of -1700 ac/es 01 his estate, wliicn necessitates a reduction in his Hock. Mr. Short's success as a breeder of stud Komiiey Marsh sheep has long since made his name a household word amongst the rural population of New Zealand by the' wonderlul performances of liis stocK both locally ana abroad. One well-known achievement was tho annexation of the world's Komney Marsh championship at the International exposition held in Argentina in the year 1910, when his entries practically swept tne hoard against all-comers. '.1 his has won for the Parorangi sheep and their owner u world-wide reputation. Repeat orders from satisfied clients in Australia. South America, and other parts provide tho best testimony that the stock supplied are "right." For many years Mr. Short strove to evolve a type of liomncy that would combine all the utility points and the result is that he is now in possession of a stud flock that has characteristics peculiar to itself, and which are stated to have become fixed, and arc being perpetuated in the progeny.

The Horefords and Clydesdales. Having so far accomplished his desire, Air. Short immediately proceeded to extend .his operations in other directions, first by laying the foundation of a pedigree Hereford herd of enttle, and later by tho formation of a stud of purebred Clydesdale horses. The very best stock in the Dominion was secured, and supplemented by the most aristocratic blood 'both of cattle and horses) from Grot Britain that money could buy. From this foundation splendid studs of Herelords and Clydesdales have been developed with (he sAnie care and thoroughness that characterised Mr. Short's earlier venture. The convincing collection of showring awards and championship honours that have Ifeen won by the sires 'Hid dams standing at the heads of the Hereford and Clydesdale studs provide absolute proof of quality and sound judgment in selection. The indelible stamp of quality and utility has been transmitted to their progeny, which have within, the past year or two more than held their own in open competition with the chosen stock frohi long-established studs. -With this assurance, backed tip by a well-sus-tained demand from private clients for representatives of the _ various breeds specialised in, the public may attend tlie sale with every confidence, and, furthermorn, intending purchasers are especially invited to make a personal inspection of all offerings before they leave the estate, so that an insight may be gained into the methods and surroundings under which thoy have been bred and Teareu.

A Visit to Parorangi. A visit to the Parorangi studs is In it-' self'an education, and'provides an illuminating ..illustration of the talent and business acumen required for its success. Since the first announcement of this dispersal sale, and the issue of the calitiuguo of offerings there has been a constant stream of prospective buyers and others interested in stock to tho stock headquarters, and many tributes, of n>lmiration have been conveyed to tho owner in appreciative testimony of the thorough attention to detail on the estate. 1 To a layman, the. breeding of stud sheep, cattle, and horses has no meaning beyond the fact that certain parents are mated to secure a given result in the progeny, no consideration being given for the incalculable amount of practical knowledge nml closo attention required to attain the end desired, and at the same time' preserve the type, constitution,, and general characteristics of.the particular breed that is being specialised in. Any illusions as to tho simplicity of breeding stud.stock are quickly dispelled when tho procedure of a master of the art is made manifest'. It is riot within the province or tho ability of the writer adequately to portray any of the details of the business conducted qn the estate, but even a casual visitor cannot fail to bo impressed by the completeness of every detail followed in connection with the work, not only • in the management of tho stock, but also in tho provision of llp-to-date and permanent; buildings and equipment, both for man and beast. One noteworthy fact, however, is the extreme car© that Is taken to proservo and nerpetuate sound constitution in the flocks and herds, which are reared and matured under natural conditions throughout. Mr. Short makes it a cardinal principle to see to it that every animal bred by him gets the opportunity to develop naturally e.ml fully, particularly during the first year of its existence, without being pampered either by forced feeding or housing. The growing sheep, for instance, are exposed to the rigorous climate of the high country above Waituna, where the air is keen and snowstorms are not uncommon in tho winter. Provided with a sufficiency of good wholesome natural food to keep them growing, these young sheep develop into robust and hardy maturity. Consequently it is no surpriso to learn that when transported to other climes they do remarkably well. The Guiding Eye and Hand. Mr. Short has surrounded himself with etudmasters of exceptional skill and ability in their respective departments, as every visitor to agricultural shows knows from the finished and attractive way every entrant from the studs is presented. In the intricate work of mating, culling, and disposition, however, Mr. Short alone, is the -uiding eve and hand. From the time when the stud ewes liavo been selected, j drafted, and mated in lots, until the time the progeny has been marked, culled, ami separated into no fewer than four separate "rade.s, Mr. Short himself gives the. deciding word and handles several times evcrv unit of his large flock. So familiar dees' he become with the stock that lie can fell a visitor the parentage and peculiarities of every individual sheep at sight. The same exactness that characterises the sheep division is extended to the Hereford and Clydesdale studs, and now that it has been decided to hold tins great dispersal sale, there is no doubt that a very great number of existing and prospective breeder.? will seize the chance of Procuring first lmnd the material to perfect or build .lip their flocks. , • There is a great business future betoio the breeder* of purebred 'slock, and recognising this, Mr. Short has already laid the foundation for export as we 1 as local trade. His courageous venture three years ago in taking his best sheep rrsiiul he world to compete against the best that could be pitted again tlicm, paved tho wav for an export business that is beginning to show results; and, moreover, a business in which all who have the riVht class of stock may participate. a'welve months ago, when the Uruguayan commission of agricultural students Visited New Zealand Mr. Short endeavoured to give them some conception ot the quality of the stock that is being produced here fbr marketing purposes. On that occision it was estimated that upwards ot .£35,000 worth of purebred stock, eomprisinl7, I?(Hunev>, Herotortls mid was paraded at Almadalo for the in.spcetion of the visitors and the edification ot tho local farmers, It is a comp inient to Mr. Short's stock that although having visited tho leading studs of tho Old World, the first bookings of stock made 1»- the travellers for importation into their own country, was made that day. Since then several substantial orders have been filled for Uruguay by Mr. Short, including tho sale of the well-known champion bull Crusader. \\ ith this market assured 'for the right class of stockit will doubtless be to the interests ot those who hope to participate, to secure representatives from the flocks and herds that have been bred by .Mr. Short, who is himself making provision for extensively entering for I he export trade. Intending purchasers should note (he fnct that the celebrated Clydesdale imported stallions. Royal Treasure. Lonsdale .\aain. and Morocco are under offer ami thiit. nil the Clydesdale mares Ivive been mated with these sires. The sale Homnev ewes are stated to have been pas-

Turing with exceptional stud rams, while Iho Hereford tows are mated with the imported stud hulls Goldfinder and Commando. This fact gives buyers from all parts a special chance of benefiting by .Mr. Short's judgment. The sale commences at Feilding with the disposal of tho Roinney Marsh sheep, and Hereford cattlo on 'Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday May 21 respectively, and concludes at Almadalo 011 Friday, May 22, when tho Clydesdales will he submitted.