BREEDING STOCK.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4987, 17 March 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

BREEDING STOCK.

In regard to the value of choice breeds of stock, and the advisability of keeping none but the best, we quote the following frorn a letter of Mr. Jewett, of Independence, Missouri, in the American Journal of Agriculture, in which he gives some interesting facts from his own experience in raising choice sheep “I will begin with leaving Vermont. T emigrated to Missouri in 1869, bringing with mo 77 choice American merino ewes and- one ram, Greed Mountain. My first olip_ was 101 b. I have made great improvement in my sheep and wool, which will bo evident when the average' of first clip is compared with my lost clip. X will say on the start that Missouri is one of the best; if not the very best, woolgrowing sections in the world. My sheep are larger than formerly, and I think have increased the length of staple and a better circulation of oil, which has added much to the weight of fleece. My flock of 1,02 head averaged 171 b. to 471 b. each of choice wool ; sixty-one of those were breeding ewes, of various ages ; thirty-six were ram and ewe lambs. Vivo rams sheared as follows ;—Gold fleece, 3121 b.; Senger, 3ip>.; Modoc, 281 b.; Michigan, 26|1b.; Woolly, 26 Hb. These rams were.all shorn at a public shearing. Two ram lambs sheared respectively 201 b. and 21jl ~ first fleece. Twenty-two ewes_ averaged 101 b. each. An important, item in improving a flock is to get good pure-bred rams, that have good form, heavy necks, well-covered good legs and head. These shmneck, small-log, narrow-chested rams, with a pedigree as long ns your arm, wont do. Sheep need attention and good care while young, if you wish them to grow to good size. In starting, of course, it is best to begin with full-blooded stock, but if from financial inability this plair cannot be pursued, the next best plan is to get native ewes, and grade up by using good merino rams. By this means all can soon have a flock of good grade sheep. The half and three-quarter bloods make a fine mutton, are very hardy, and are good shearers. My experience is that they will shear from 6 to 10 lb.”