Lincoln Sheep.

Manawatu Herald, 4 November 1897, Page 2

Lincoln Sheep.

Mr J. G. Wilson who is now in England visited the Lincoln Sheep Fair, and in a letter to the Advocate gives the following information about the English breeds : — The first on the catalogue that caught my eye were J. E. Caswel's. These sheep had remarkably good heads but the locks were very small, and not taking to the colonial eye, although remarkably well-grown.

A very good lot were those of Messrs Dean and Son. One of their sheep took first prize at the Royal, and last year they gave 850gs for one of Mr Dudding's so they attracted a great many to the pen. Next them were those of Mr Dudding. This breeder is quite at the top of the tree at the present time, and one of his sheep was decidedly the best, as far as New Zealanders were concerned, but the Lincoln man goes more for size and quality as rale than for the class of wool we like. These sheep were, however, as a lot, quite the best offered, some of them big-locked grand sheep.

Mr Nalder had some good sheep, but they lost a good deal in attraction by having bare heads, and Mr Need* ham also had some very fair ones. Mr Taylor Sharpe, too, had some excellent sheep. But Messrs Wrights' lot were only second to those of Mr Duddiog, and one was particularly attractive to my eye. After going carefully over the sheep, however, I came to the conclusion that there were only about four sheep which would be really worth the expense of taking to New Zealand, as far as wool was concerned.

As Mr Dudding's sheep were announced for sale there was quite a stir, everyone trying to get a place round the ring, more for educational purposes,, however, than anything else, for the buyers were few, although they had long purses. When each ram was sold he was turned out into another pen together with all his mates, and when the top ram came out there was an eager rush of long coated shepherds to handle him. For it was only on such occasions that they could see the results of their neighbours' breeding. I noticed that they seemed to look upon wool * as a secondary condition, for they began by feeling his tail, then his back, his neok and ribs, and across the shoulders, and then open the wool. Bab in no case did I see anyone carefully examine the wool all over, or turn the sheep up during my whole stay. The sheep in this pen that I thought best went to Buenoa Ayres at 210gs. Another very evenly woolled sheep, of which I heard a man remark " that's a New Zealand sheep," went for 70gs, but he was not heavy enough fleeced sheep for our purposes. The others - went for prices up to 105g?, mostly bought by neighbouring breeders. Messrs Wright Taylor Sharpe, Kirkham and Gasswell each buying one. The average being the highest of the day £81 for 12 sheep. Messrs Wright's also commanded a great deal of attention. The "one '• I selected out of their flock was bought by Mr Dudding for 165gs, another going to Buenos Ayres at 22Ogs, but I didn't like him so well as the first.

On the whole the sale left a satisfied feeling that w« had some very good sheep in New Zealand, and although a ohange of imported blood is a very good thing now and again, yet whilst this Argentine oraze is on money can be better invested in New Zealand lhan here, and the day may yet oome when the Carbine among3t sheep may find his way" here. But the attraction to the home buyers will be size, big bone and constitution rather than wool.