IMPORTED SHEEP

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2402, 16 December 1881, Page 3

IMPORTED SHEEP

The following is a description of the stock imported by Eobert Wilkin and 00., per Lady Jocelyn, One Border Leicester ram for Mr William Boag, Burnside. This ram was bred by Mr W. Wilson, Wolfstar, Ormiston, near Edinburgh, and combines the beet Border Leicester blood in Scotland, the names c£ Lard Polwarbh and Clark, of Oldhamstccke, Smith, of Oastlemain, and Stark, of Mellendean, occurring in his pedigree. At Dalkeith in 1881 he was first in shearling class ae a single ram, and was also one of a pair which took first prize in their class, besides gaining the silver cup. At the Highland Society’s Show at Stirling he took the second prize for wool. He is a splendid representation of the Border Leicester breed, and is particularly noticeable for his beautiful fleece, combining evenness of quality, density, lustre and length, so that, high as Mr Boag’s flock already stand, he is likely to raise it slid higher in public estimation. Five South Down ewes and one ram, shearlings, for Mr John Deans, Bicoartoa. These six sheep are splendid specimens of the Southdown breed, which in England occupy the premier place as mutton sheep. The ewes were bred by H E.H. the Prince of Wales at Sandringham, and the ram was bred by Mr Jonas, both flocks of the highest standing. Two shearling Lincoln rams, for Mr O. T. Dudley, IrwelL These isms w.re bred by Mr Cartwright, Danstan Pillar, Lincoln, and show all the excellence which may be expected in sheep coming from such a flock. Xhsar chief characteristics are weight of fleece and vigorous constitutions. For some years past Mr Cartwright has not exhibited, but when he did exhibit he was most successful ; and at the present time one of the most successful flocks in England; that of Mr Wright, Nooton heath, is a branch of the Duncttn Pillar flock. Two Hampshire Dawn ram lambs and tea awes of the same breed, for Mr O. T. Dudley, Irwell. The rams wore purchased at tbs annual sale of Mr William Parsons, West Stratton farm, Michcldivor, Hampshire ; and the ewes at the sale of the entire flock of Mr Anthony Budd, Quidhampton farm, Overton, Hampshire. The Quidhampton flock claim to be the oldest in the county, and Mr Budd has been particular in keeping it unstained by any cross whatever. Mr Budd has not eshibited at shows of late years, but he can score to his credit as an exhibitor in former years thirty-two prizes in plate, besides a largo sum of money. Mr Parsons is one of tna most successful exhibitors in Hampshire at the present day ; and at the last meeting cf the Royal Counties Society at Salisbury \ which was the largest and most influential show of Hampshire Downs ever held, Mr Parsons was quite the champion exhibitor, being placed first in every class for lambc, and awarded the champion prize for tho beat pen of ewes in the yard. The Hampshire Down breed of sheep is attracting a great deal of attention at the present day in England, and some of the leading newspapers speak of it as the coming breed. There can be no question that it is a very fine breed of sheep, producing mutton of a quality quite equal to the Southdown, and being very much larger. Mr Dudley appears to have been very fortunate in the specimens of the breed which he has acquired, and it is to be hoped that this pioneei importation of Hampshire Downs will prove successful, both to the importer and to the colony. Shorthorn bull, Duke of Qaatersfoae (4310), for Mr John Deane, Bieoarfon. Thu is a beautiful animal, of a deep red colour, with perfect symmetry and a splendid handler. He is of the Duchess tribe, being from the- herd of that celebrated breeder, Colonel Canter, Wetherby, Yorkshire,