STANDARD OF FAT STOCK.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 138, 21 June 1901, Page 4

STANDARD OF FAT STOCK.

PIUMK Canterbury mutton has so long hold the first place among the imports of mutton to the old country that people have come to regard it as the highest form of excellence for this product. There is, however, some evidenco that what is regarded as the best of mutton sheep in New Zealand differs considerably from

the standard in England. A late London report states: —“ Several parcels of sheep, prize-winners and exhibits at various agricultural shows in New Zealand, have been put on the market, magnificent carcases, but entirely unsuited for Homo trade from their size and obesity. A few might find buyers at Christmastide, as attractions hi a shop show, but they are too fat and wasteful for a butcher’s ordinary trade.” The sheep sold at about the same price as River Plato mutton, and Id per lb below the best Canterbury 'light-weights. “ Drcvor,” in the Otago Witness, makes the following comments on this :—“ It is little use our A. and P. societies encouraging the breeding of this class of mutton, and yet the tendency, has been that way, and the increasing general coarseness of our mutton a very serious matter. -At any rate our agricultural and pastoral societies should cease to give prizes for this kind of moat,

and do more to encourage the breeding of sheep that will improve our mutton in the direction of making it suitable for the market we have to look to.” In Australia

the fat sheep at Shows, particularly in Victoria, appears to me (says “ Bruno ”) to bo judged entirely by the quantity of

fat on their carcases. I have seen both sheep and cattle awarded prizes that were wasteful in the extreme, and such as no sheepfarmcr would dream, of sending to market. Why there should bo this worship of fat in our Show grounds is

difficult to understand. It is seen not only in the classes for fat stock, but in those for stud . animals also. It invades nearly all classes, draught horses, the breeds of beef cattle, most of the breeds of sheep, and all pigs. It certainly provides an easy mode of deciding on the merits of the animals. It is not stated, however, in the directions to the judges that the fattest shall be first.