FAVOURED SHEEP.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5169, 24 August 1927, Page 4

FAVOURED SHEEP.

SHOW ANIMALS IN ENGLAND. LIVING IN LUXURY. Most people would be surprised if they knew the immense care that has been bestowed upon the fine pedigree sheep which are exhibited at the great agricultural show’in England (writes Delia Temple in the Daily News”). Away in their home among the grassy hills, these aristocrats of the sheep world receive scarcely less attention than do the children of well-to-do parents in a well-run nursery. Their home is the fattening-shed, a long building strongly ma'de, deeply thatched, and perfectly dry. Within are comfortable, roomy stalls, each leading out into its own little backyard, and the animals wander to and fro at will. The stalls, carpeted with straw, contain a, ihay-rack, which, beside the hay, holds a large, glistening lump of rock-salt, scooped into hollows by the licking tongues of the sheep. The animals lead well-ordered lives under the kindly care of shepherds. Morning and afternoon meals consist of a special “mixture” followed by a sweet course of mangel-wurzels, and for supper hay and occasionally fresh grass are given. Show anima.ls are not allowed to roam the meadows, but are taken out each day for exercise, two or three together, haltered, and led by the shepherd. Sometimes the sheep visit their hairdressing saloon, a wooden enclosure, lined with straw, called the “trimming fork.” The head of the animal is placed between two wooden prongs and held there by a wooden rod slipped through a hole In each, while its coat is brushed and trimmed i)nd afterwards dredged with colouring powder.

Living in luxury, these favoured creatures also travel in luxury when show-time comes. In their travelling van, lighted by glass windows and ventilated by perforated zinc, they lie in a deep bed of straw, a freshly filled hay-rack within reach, and remain undisturbed until their arrival at the showground.

And each sheep journeys in a travelling coat ! It is of glossy, snow-white linen bound with scarlet —typical of the atmosphere of “bien-soignee” which everywhere surrounds these dainty aristocrats.