STUD RAMS AND EWES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 95, 16 January 1920, Page 11

STUD RAMS AND EWES

-♦— — WAIRARAPA ANNUAL FIXTURE . \ SALE NEXT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY DESCRIPTION OF PRINCIPAL. ENTRIES. (Published, by Arrangement.) The Wairarapa annual stud ram, and . ewe fair will be held at Solway, Masterton, on Wednesday and Thursday next, January 21 and 22. Altogether, 611 sheep, comprising Eomneys, Lincolns,and Southdowns, will be put "up nt'auc-. tion by Messrs. A. J. Coopar mid Co., Ltd., Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd., tho N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., the Wiirarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association, Ltd. (Stock Dcpt.), and Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co,, Ltd, The entries havo been received from tlio leading breeders in tho North Island, and a description ot the principal lines sent forward by those resident in tho Wairaiapa follows. . : \ ■: ME, 'WILLIAM PERRY'S "PENROSE" ROMNEYS. The "Penrose" flock of Eomneys was started by the purchase ot a number of stud ewes from-Mr. G. R.. Sykes. Further purchases were made ham the late Mr. G. C. Wheeler's flock, and Mr. A. Matlhews's "Waiorongomai" flock. Other additions to the flock were three ewes • (the first prize pen at the Boyal Show, England, in 1913), bred by Mr. Quested and two ewes bred by Mr. A. Finn. Tho sires, which have made tho "Penrose" flock what it is, were purchased : from the "Waiorongomai", flock. _ the most prominent sire being Premier 1. This wonderfully prepotent ram and his progeny have been the foundation of the "Penrose" flock. Premier 2G7, bred >t "Penrose," and a son of Premier. I, is doing equally ; as well as his sire. Qne of his sons made a record for New Zealand nt last year's sale by realisms 305gns. The first ten rams to be offered at tho coming sale are by this sire. . , The "Penrose" flock is inow nearly self-contained, tho ! out-crosses of tho "Premier" strain being used. back. As a change, a fresh ram is brought in each year, more particularly to get some fresh Wood in the ewes. ' ' It is said, and rightly so, New Zealand Eomney sheep are superior to the English Eomneys in ..woo!. Tho striking 'improvements evolved/ by one particular breeder is mentioned, in a recent issue of a leading agricultural journal.' This undoubtedly refers toilir. A. Matthews, of "Waiorongomai," who is the oldest active breeder- of Eomneys in the Dominion, and whoso ideal in. wool has been tho best,for the manufacturer, the best for the health of the sheen, and the best for tho owner's pocket. At tho same time 'the breed's characteristics have been maintained. ■'•' '■■ Following on tho lines laid down at "Waiorongomai," tho "Penrose" flockhas been evolved. Great care, has been taken in individual selection, as:well as the careful recording of all pedigrees, The high opinion the breeding • public have of the "Penrose" flook is shown by tho records of the last two. annual sales. In 1918 70 rams niado an average- of 80 • guineas, which was at tho time a world's record for.one Eomney flock. The 1919 sale was still better, 69 rams averaging 94 guineas. Sheep sold at these sales, and their progeny, have been Very'successful in various parts of the Dominion. A ram and ewe sold i at the 1919. sale won the two championships at the last Hamilton show. At Christchurch,"Penrose" .sheep and their .progeny have carried all before them, haying won the ram championships for the past-'!-foiir years, as well as other prizes.. .-At Blenheim this year the progeny of'sheep sold at the 1918 sale wero unbeaten in their classes, These results go to show thai' the "Penrose" sheep will thrive' and hold their quality in different climates a'lid on different soils. . •-• - - > ;V-'..-,./ One of the strong points of tho. "Pen-' rose" llonmey is the quality of tho wool, great care having been taken to keep put anything of a harsh nature.'Sheep bearing wool with cross fibres or/"of .a harsh' nature, when taken to an adversp. climate, will quickly deteriorate.. At the Palmerston 1919 spring show tlvree "Penrose" hogget fleeces .were shown in ' the Eomney seotion. There was keen competition., but "Penrose" obtained tho 1 first. prize. "The judge was Mr. .Clark,-super-vising wool valuer for the Dominion, and ,his remarks were very emphatic on tho quality of tho entry. This goes to prove on tho best authority that' tho "Penrose" wool-is being developed on'the right lines. "Penrose" show-ring records at Palmerston, Hastings, and Masterton show' the following results:—Eomney—2-4shows; 27 championships, 107 first prizes. Lincolns—3o shows, 33 championships,' 140 first prizes. Besides, the above, numerous valuable cups and wins havo been recorded at othor shows, including Panama Exhibition, Christchurch Exhibition, and the Auckland Exhibition, The Eomnoy entry from "Penrose" at Solway this year will be equal, if not' superior, to anything yet offered. The entry of Lincolns is'tho best lot, produced at "Penrose" fnr some years. The 30 \rams include 3 four-tooth", the balance being one-shear. ,Tho long ro-. cord of 35 years under the close supervision of the owner is evidenco of the "evenness of the characteristics of this flock.. ME. G. E. ALLEN'S STUD EOMNEYS. in 1902, Mr. G. E. Allen, of "Tipua," Taratahi, founded his Eomney stud from the flock originally established by"his father, .Mr. W. B. Allen. That was right 'back in 1880, and, though forty years have passed, the predominating strains -and characteristics in the present "Tipua" sheep aro those of their earliest progenitors. In the beginning of the present stud, rams and ewes were niated judiciously, and thus the most, desirable features have been retained. . The sires whose mark has boen left most prominently in tho present rams were tho result of importations from England made in' 1894 by Mr. W. B, Allen. These Englis.it sires ("Dttko of Kent" and "Duke of Kent 2nd") must havo been very fine stamps of sheep indeed. That they liad the stamina necessary in a sheep (hat is to be tho father of a flock can best be proved by a record of their progeny. These include such well-known prize-get-ters and sires as "Uniform,"- "Uniform 2nd," "Uniform Stamp," "Uniform Again," "Uniform Yet," and "Bonifonn." The names of the above-mentioned rams are so well known that it secms'snperflnous to mention their successes; some of them were sent away from the home farm and were this means of making the name of "Tipua" famous in other parts of New Zealand. Always successful in the show ring, Mr. G. E. Allen has in his possession some of tho most prized trophies of tho Dominion. Since he commenced, breeding, no important show has passed without a fair sharo of the prizes being gained for tho "Tipim" stud. In 1917 "Uniform Again" won the championship prize, when exhibited by Mr. E, J. Andersonj at tho Christchurch-Show. Another young ram. "Tipua 209," sold to Mr. Alex Peat, of Dipton, brought itself fame both in tho show ring and salo ring. This siro won several championships and first prizes at southern shows,and at Mr. Peat's clearing sale last year; both itself and its progeny realised startling prices. The demand for Mr. Allen's rams is as wide as it is insistent! The flock 3 of Falkland Islands, Tasmania, and even for distant Monte .Video—all have their sharo of "Tipua" blood. At. tho Panama Exposition, Mr. Allon was successful in winning second and fourth prizes for cue- and two shear rams respectively, also a diploma for unskirtod Eomney ewe llecco wool. Tho prize-win-ning rams wore later sold to American purchasers. , Mr. Allen 'considers that solely by judicious mating and selection has been made possible the present excellence of the stud. Tho ideal always kept in viow has been tho attainment of a good constitution, and a large, massive frame supported by plenty of bone, and covered with a long staple of good quality wpol. The sheep havo been bred on careful lines, and no close in-breeding has been indulged in. To guard against this undesirable feature, from lime to timerams havo been purchased from oilier studs. On ono occasion, some owes,were sent to Mr, Etncst Short's stud, whoro

they were mated with two of the principal rams. 'Needless to say, the resultant progeny fully justified the exchange. Among the breeders from whom Mr. Allen has purchased stud sheep are such •well-known stwl-owiars as Messrs. A. Matthew.;, of "Waiorongomai," and Mr. E. Egliiigton, South Wairarapa, while some ewes aro at present on order with the Holms! Estate, Waimalmka, for the ! 1920 season. ■ The thirty rams being entered for this year's Wairarapa stud sale are a fine ; lot, and typical of the Eomney type to which 'Mr. Allen hits been breeding. They are specially vigorous and wellwooled, and together with 100 shearing must be classed as one of the besi entries yet made from "Tipua." ' ME, W. H. EAYNER'S ROMNEYS AND LINCOLNS. Ao'ftv named "The Cliffs," the farm of Mr.W.' IL Eavner is ideal for the breeding of stud, sheen. The homestead is situated' on the edge of a ledge forty or fifty feet, in- height, and, the farm land comDrises a portion of the plain at the toi* and a portion of the Tc Whiti plain below. From the homestead may be seen a grand viow: of the well-pastured Te Whiti country, including the soldiers' settlement, and across the Ruanialiunga River. Gladstone, and, further on still, the rolling hills of "Tnpurupuru." In these pleasant surroundings Mr. Earner . carries on tho breeding of stud Eomney and Lincoln sheep. In 1904 Mr. Eayner started his Ronincv flock bv the purchase of rams from the following sterling'breeders: Messrs. Grav Bros.. Ernest Short. G. E Allen, A. and J. Gray, William Perry, A. Matthews. P. Mungaviii, J. Knight, and W. H. Bnick. Ewes were acquired from the late Mr. G. C. Wheeler, of Feilding, mid. in 1911. from Messrs. W. C. Dorset, Carterton, and G. E. Allen On one occasion, as much as 2s) gns. was paid tor a.ram. and on another laOgns. In addition to the sheep purchased from the nbovonamed breeders, Mr. Eayner has, of course, made'very free use of his own rams and ewes. The tvne of Eomney Mr. Eayner endeavours to develop is a big framed, strong boned animal, with a good head all of which means ft rare constitution), and covered with a well-crimped wool. There is an old saw which says "the proof of the pudding is in the .eating," and it naturally follows that the best testimony -to, anyone's sheep must como from an outsider who has used, or intends to use. after having been well satisfied with the quality, the sheep in question. Therefore, the following extracts from a letter to Mr. Eayner from a wellkndwn Gisborne sheeplarmer, who is rcmodellimr his -flock, and desires to do so with some- of the "Cliffs" sheep, must hear weight with intending buyers. The letter savs:—"From time to time I have seen. Eomney rams of your breeding in the sale yards hero and on my neighbours' properties, nnd I have been struck bv their .constitution and bone, and also their weight, and strength' of wool. . The noints I particularly want (i.e., bone, constitution, and a. good strong, heavy ■ fleece) are iust those your sheep seem to possess. . . I am not afraid of a good stronir stim'.c in the wool, as the tendency ■ in this country is to get on the light side, a thins; .easily got into but not .easily! ,r o t out of." As showing the lasting stamina of Mr. 'Earner's Eomney stud it mav be mentioned that this season n ewe fourteen years old had two lambs, and reared both of. them for a fortnight. Afterwards one was taken away,-but the other has. been ■brought' up'entirely by its aged mother.' So vigorous was this.sheep .that in the; beginning its milk had to be drawn off j befnra the ■ offspring could be put to ! suckle. Both lambs aro a fine type; and j will nrobablv be exhibited at the forth- i 'coming Masterton Show. Mr. Eayner j has been very successful in getting rid i of his flock rams this season, 138 having been sent to Gisborne. .Eomney ram hotrsrets from the stud have clipped up 'to 2Slb. of wool, and 221b. and 211b. of wool per hogget is a common clip. In lambine.,al'so. the stud.has maintained itself well, .over 100 per cent, .always, being: obtained, while one season the nercentage actually reached 165. , For many years prior to the death ,of the late.Mr. John Eayner in 1903, Mr. W. H Eavner -was in partnership .with .his.brothe'r, Mr. Bland Eayner. In 1903 the partnership was dissolved, ■arid the Lincoln flock, up till their leased from the liite Mr. Eayner, was purchased outright frohi the executors, and divided between the. two brothers. To Mr. W. IT.' Earner's share of the flock was added rams , bought from Messrs. William Perry. W. • H. Wybourne (Wanganui), and A. Anderson (Taratahi).... By these mil-chases' Hie flock has been kept free of inbreeding,: but still retains the main characteristics of the original progeni-. tors-' in the late Mr. Eayner's flock. In. fact, there is at present on "Tho Cliffs" farm a- two-shear ram (reserve champion at. the last Palmerston Show) which seems to bo an exact copy of an original sire bought ..over a quarter of a century ago from Mr. Dudding, of Lincolnshire, Eiurlaml. But there is a difference, and that is that though the general features are the same,. the shape, bone, and csDeciallv the wool of the present sire are infinitely.superior lo.those of the Duddinir. ram. ■■ i In breeding Lincoln sheep at The Cliffs" tho attainment of a good constitution is.placed first, and the development of fine quality wool a good second The sheen most desired is a low-set, fullbodied animal covered with wool of a r.urlv' and hard nature, but not too much about, the head. An animal such as this; is verv suitable for crossing with Romnevs. Twenty rams of this type were recently sent to Gisborne in order to infuse strength of wool into the Eomney ewes'of a station in that district. As with his Eomney stud, Mr. Eayner has attained cood lambing propensities in his Lincolns. .Last season a fifteen-year-old ewe dropped a lamb, nnd the previous season she dropped two. Mr. Eayner is the proud possessor of the rose howl presented by the Wanganui; A. and P. Association for most points in Lincolns. With Eomneys, too, he has been enuallv successful as an exhibitor, and holds n number of prizes won in connection with both, breeds. Mr. Eayner's son, H. J. Eayner, aged eighteen vca'rs. is following in his father's footsteps by starting a Lincoln Hock of his own on his father's farm. Ewes have been bought from Mr. M'Master's stud, and put to "The Cliffs" rams. ' One of the progeny (a ram), which is being entered for the coming sale, won second nrize in the "shorn" class at the last Palmerston Show In addition to a large number of Eomneys. the entry from "The Cliffs" for'lhis year's Wairarapa stnd sale will include swell Lincoln rams, ranging from oneshear to two-shear. ME, BLAND EAYNER'S STUD LIN- ' COLNS AND ROMNEYS. Mr. Bland Eayner, of "Brightfield," Taratahi, laid the foundation of his Lincoln stud Hock in 1903 when ho made the following purchases from his father, tho late Mr. John Eayner (flock No. 4li, N.Z.F.8.)..- 100 ewes, 50 Iwo'tooth ewes, li' 2 ewe lambs, and 50 twotootli ram-iambs. That Mr. Bland Eayner was fortunate in being able to select his original rams and twes from his father's Hock must he conceded. The late Mr. J. Eayner was perhaps in tho first rank of tho New Zealand Lincoln breeders of tho day. Over thirty years ago ho started his stud with a ram and four ewes imported from Mr. Kirkam, of Lincolnshire, England, and ouo ram and two ewes from Mr. Dudding, of the same shire. A little later four ewes, four lambs, and . one ram were added from the stud of the then foremost New Zealand Lincoln .breeder, Mr. J. U. Sutton, of Southland, i '.With Iliis excellent material the lato ' Mr. Eayner built up his stud until it was in a very high slate of perfection. Since the "Brightfield" stud was founded sires have lieeu purchased from Mr. William Perry, and Mr. W. It. Wybuni,. of "Wlionuakura," this in order to obtain new blood, but the principal sires used have been of Mr. Bland Eayner's own breeding. 'That tho progeny havo been a true type of Lincoln has been proved again, and again by tho "Brightfield" prize -list. During the past two years six championships, thirty first, and 25 second prizes have been won at tho Masterton and Carterton shows. "Taratahi 14th," one of the sheep being entered at tho coming Wairarapa stud salo, won tho ram championship 'at the Hawke's liny show last year. It is a heavy and strongly-wooled animal, and : has a line constitution. Another of tho entrants, "Taratahi 12th." a fourth ram, wife the champion hogget at tho Carterton show two years ago. ' At the coming salo Mr. Eayner is en-, Im-lag fifteen Lincoln shoen-twolvo one-

shear rams and thrco two-shear. All of - them are well-grown and havo plenty ot 1 bone, and the owner considers that both .< lor constitution and wool they aro tho f best lot yet sent away from "Bright- i field." Mr. Eayner's aim has always i been to breed a low, thick-set, and finely- ,< conslitutioned sheep, true in overy way 1 to the ideals of Lincoln breeders and ] suitable both for Hat and hilly country. ' In wool, the goal has been to get as , ninch weight as possible without im- j pairing the quality, and to this end has ; been evolved a long firm staple with a , good' "lock,'" and seration running right f back'to the skin. The wool on rho \ rams seen by the writer was all of this < type. i Mr. Eayner also owns a stud Eomney < flock founded by ewes purchased from - ( Gray Bros., Taratahi, and rams from , Mr. William Perry, of "Penrose." In | ( this stud the Eomney type most desired , by breeders has been closely followed and developed, nnd two of the rams will bo , offered at the coming sale. i MR. J. H. HEWITT'S EOMNEYS. ; Mr. J. E. Hewitt, of "Mangamaire," i started his Eomney flock,in. 1905 by the i purchase of thirty specially-selected lour-tooth ewes from the late Mr. James I Holms, of Waimahaka. In 1900 live s two-tooth ewes were obtained from Mr. < P.. Miingavin, and a year later 50 •specially-selected live-year-old ewes were i included from tho Hock of tho late Mr. '. G. Wheeler.' Again, in 1919, b'O ewes < were added from Mr. P. Mungavin's i Hock. The rams used have been obtained from ' such well-known studs as thoso of Messrs. -i James Holms, E. J. Riddiford, A. Matthews, I'. Mungavin, Q. Donald, and William Perry. In addition, Mr. Hewitt has used rams bred in his own (lock. It will be seen, therefore, that in every case tho progenitors (both male and female) havo been selected from the most idiablo sources. The predominating strain in the Hock is that of "Lord Roberts." Breeders will remember that Lord Eoberts was purchased by Mr. E. J. Eiddiford from Mr. E. Short, and was the 'first Eomney sire to, be sold in New Zealand for lOO" guineas! Mr. Hewitt's Hock at present comprises 400 ewes. The demand for sires bred at "Mangamaire" now exceeds the supply, all Hock rams for 1920 delivery (with the exception of 10 reserved for tho Dannevirke fair) being already sold. Only 30 flock rams remain for 1921 delivery. . In consequence of this unusual demand Mr. Hewitt is enlarging his Hock t0.500 owes for the present year. Fifteen stud rams will be offered nt tho Masterton stud sale on January 21. At last year's sale Mr. Hewitt was second on the list for averago prices. Eight sheep wero entered, tho mean' sale price .being 57 guineas, and the highest price for a single sheep 1(K) guineas. The entry this year is considered, to be the best so far. ' Although the Eomnoy breed is suitable for any . class of country, Mr. Hewitt has 'concentrated on the production of ranis suitable for breeding hill sheep; he believes that the biggest demand is in that direction. Tho typo he aims to • preserve in his flock is tho thick, low-sot, active animal, with medium to fairly strong wool, and a good sttong head. In the "Mangamaire" flock constitution is. the first considera-. tion, and wool comes second. The breeder always pays special attention to the production of a strong head, as ho ■ is convinced that in this feature lies the true index to the. type, character, , and constitution of the animal. That his contention is correct is bonis out by j tho fact that "Mangamaire" rants are ! noted for their great constitution, com- | bined with lieavy clipping and early j maturing proiensities. During last | season's clipping, ram hoggets from the ! flock cut up to 221b., and stud rams to •• 2(!11>.. The lambing percentages of tho flock range from 100 to 120 per cent. ..This year, although generally lambing. i was low, the "Mangamairo" percentage was 116. During . the war no "Mangamairo'' . sheep were entcr/.d at the shows, but ,' .prior -to 1914 a considerable number of first prizes .wore obtained in tho ro- ■' spcelive shows jt Palmerston North, Hawke's Bay, Feilding, and Masterton, championships being gained at tho three last-named fixtures. ! ME. W. H. lIUICK'S EOMNEY EWES ; ' AND EAMS. "Daisyburn," Mr. W. H. Buick's farm . at Opaki, presents ideal conditions for 1 the breeding of stud and flock sheep, i Three distinct classes of,land aro cont- , prised in tho .property. Theso, range i from very heavy rivor ground and good j i agricultural soil to light land. Tho ma- j i jority of tho pasturo is never dry and j ;. always has a green appearance, and, in j i. addition, tho whole is well watered by i ' ..continuous springs. Backed by these j i j undeniable facilities, Mr. W. h. butcic i i [founded his Eomney (lock in 190G; since I then he has developed the breed to such - an extent Mat his sales include 200 rains , per year. , Never has ho heard any cotn--1 plaints regarding theso sires, and the > buyers have always "come again." The • extent of tho demand for "Daisyburn" > : stud rams and ewes may be gauged by - the fact that lae-t year cwos were sent to Australia, tho purchaser being Mr. > Frank E. Stewart, of Western Australk. . To tho South Island of New Zealand, . too, the "Daisyburn" stud has sent representatives. Lost year" Mr.■ IT. C. Ifar- . ! ley, of Greymouth, bought somo stud i rams, and. Mr. M. Staples, of Molucka, i Nelson, some studoore 3,n r e 3, ;■ ' The first sire used in Mr. Buick's stud .' was purchased from Mr. Ernest Short. • Later, rams were obtained from Messr.-. ! D. Riddiford, G. E. Allen, William ,'. Perry, and William Eayner, these in 5 addition to tho sires bred by Mr. Buick ; himself. On tho female side, the foun- , dation of the stud was laid by owes . purchased from Mr. E. Cobb, liite of . Feilding. This was followed by importations of new blood from the flocks of , Messrs. W. Baker and W. B. Allen, and j the estate of the lato Mr. G. C. Wheeler. . .Mr. Buick has always been a firm be- ! liever in very careful selection among I the two sexes, in order that a weak char-, acteristic on the one side mii'ht be counteracted by mating with oho of tho opposite sex that showed strong points in ; the snme characteristic. Thus, if tho ' I sire'were weak in the wool, all other features being equal, he would be mated • with a ewe covered with strong wool. That this policy is a right one has been ' amply testified by results. By follow- ' ing this policy the breeder has evolved J a sheep of good and hard constitution 5 suitable for any class of country. Special attention has been paid to the dpvclopment of bono and to the breeding | of an active auimal; therefore, one spc- :' daily adapted to hill country, Gener- " ally, the 'Daisyburn" sheep is a good type of tho Eomney breed, A low-set, robust animal with a typical Eomney head, it is a sheep that is equally suitable for tho production of meat or wool. j The wool is well and evenly distributed 3 over tho wholo body, and is of a dense, j fair-length staple, with plenty of scra- . tion right through. Tho aim at "Daisy- '. burn" lias been to net as much wo"l per | sheep- as possible. Last season seven ] two-tooth rams (five of which are to be '< offered at tho coming Masterton stud , sale) yielded over 201b. of wool each. For " the past six years the average clip for |. the wholo Hock has boon over 121b! per r sheep. The lambing percentages of the "Daisy■bnrn" 6tud have always been good. Last ; year, when the rams used wero some ' lired by Messrs. W. Perry, G. E. Allen, and W. Eaynor, and four rami; bred by '. Mr. Buick himself. 3SO ewes yielded 513 ' lambs! This works cut at 135 per cent., j which must bo in tho nature of a rcn cord for the season, which was a poor ono for lambing. Mr. Buick has exhibited nt the shows \' annually from the lime he first started ; f breeding. His sxhiliits have always, been awarded first,. second, and third prizes, and many championships and trophies. At tho stud salo at Maskrton on the 22nd instant, Mr. Buick will olFcr j 30 stud ewes and 10 stud .rams. All are J tho pick of the flock, ore undeniably superior to last year's eiilry. [ MR, C. WAGLAND'S EOMNEY EAMS. ' . Six years ago Mr. C. Wagland, of i "Willowbank," Masterton, decided to go i in for tho breeding of stud Eomney ) sheep. Ho purchased somo stud owes ■ from tho 'well-known breeders, Mr. A. ■ Matthews, of "Waiorongomai," and a , ram (Manaia fith) from Mr. ' G. 11. ) Sykes. To that; ram Mr. Wagland att tributes his success as a breeder. Shown I otv many occasions both by Mr, Sykes and > Mr. D." Smilh, it had each time won ■ 'honours among the prize-get tors. It was ■ a long, low-set animal and splendidly covered with a tino quality, wool, and "■ that is the typo that tho breeder is now ■ peeking lo retain in tho offspring. That

Mr. AVagland lias Ibcon successful in keeping the strain true in type is (lemon- _ slrated by the fact Hint on two occa-sions-first with one sheep ami again with six-he has obtained record prices at the Mastorlon Ram Fair. But in f speaking of Manain. (ill), the many excel- £ lent finalities of the ewes purchased train (1 Jlr. A. Matthews must not be forgotten. ~ To them, also, great credit is duo ior the „ present state of the Hock. They were a 4 fine lot indeed, being very finely wool- C( led mid • posses-sing wonderful bone, 0 which is a'characteristic required many 6 ] sheep to bring out an active constitution in the progeny. The lambing m the "Wilhnvbank" Hock has always _ been good, the average having been maintain- L ed at over 100 per cent. Mr. AVagland t , does not believe in too high an average, „ as if a ewe lias 100 many lambs to look r after they are not' likely to thrive so Cl well 8l The entrv for the coming AYairarapa n stud sale comprises, seven fine two-tooth \ and one four-tooth rams by .St. George b Eight to their feet' they are well and 1 evenly covered with a fine-quality wool, and their nrominent characteristics arc a those of their progenitor, Manaia fill. s , Tt is. perhaps, hardly necessary to state that the Romncy breed is of a hardy conf.titulio.i and suitable both for the pioduetion of mutton and wool. For,one who has been breeding stud animals for a comparatively sliort period, Air Wagland has been remarkably successful. At last year's Wa.raratia stud salo ho was only fourth on he list for the average price, and on all other occasions his rims have 'been equally con- _ sistent in their general worthiness.