ON THE BREEDING & CROSSING OF LONGWOOLS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 202, 5 September 1874, Page 2

ON THE BREEDING & CROSSING OF LONGWOOLS.

The following paper was read by Mr. M. R. Miller before the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, on Friday, 28th August:— “ In the selection of this subject I was guided chiefly by my conviction that the soil, pasturage, and climate of this province were eminently adapted for the growth of long-woolled breeds of sheep. The great success that has attended all who have bestowed their attention in this direction proves that this is the ease ; and the same care in the selection of pure bred sires in the future, that has been shown during the past few years will, I have no hesitation in saying, place Hawke’s Bay long-wool at the head of the London market, as its character for excellence has already gained it a colonial reputation. It must be borne in mind, however, that the attainment of the principal object of this Society—-the improvement of all our longwools to a first-class standard—cannot be achieved rapidly, nor without the expenditure of time, money, and close attention to the business. In addressing this meeting, I feel that I am speaking to gentleman who have made sheep-farming their profession, and it is not presumption to suppose that no efforts on their part will be spared to produce those results on which the prosperity of this province so greatly depends. That the sheepfarmers of Hawke’s Bay are in earnest in the course they have marked out for themselves, I think is sufficiently proved, not only by the formation of this Society and its meetings, but by the gratifying fact that samples of wool I have sent from this province home have been declared not to be surpassed. At the same time, -Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, let us not run away with the idea that more than a fraction of the number of sheep in the province is of a first-class character. The same authority, one of the largest foreign buyers, who expressed himself so pleased with the samples of wool I sent him from some of our best flocks, also stated that provincial wool I also sent him from ordinary promiscuous bales was inferior, from its irregularity and general get up. Now, before we can hope to gain that character for our flocks for which we are striving, we must aim at regularity, whether we breed Lincolns, Ootswolds, or Leicesters. We must avoid falling into the pernicious error of supposing that we can get either an uniform or pure-bred flock by the use of cross or impure bred sires. In the early days it might have been all very well to have made use of cross-bred sires iu default of pure-bred, but the best judges in all countries cannot. too strongly deprecate indiscriminate crossing with cross-bred sheep. Such a course has proved ruinous in several flocks in Victoria twenty years ago, when the rage for crossing was at its height there —a course that proved disastrous alike to many flock-owners and to the colony. OI hers again of a more practical turn of mind and far-seeing, remained content with a first cross, and a. first class only, between the long-wool and the merino; thereby producing an almost uniform type of wool, which secured, comparatively speaking, a fixed market value. This system, however, involves the consignment of a large proportion of both the male and female stock to the shambles or the boiling-down pot, but that is. and has been proved, a far more profitable course than irregular breeding. In carrying out this system, there is a difficulty in a young colony of the limited extent that this is; and the only course that can be carried out in its entirety and to perfection, is by adhering to the use of sires as pure as possible, so as to steadily go on with the obliteration of the original dam stock of rather hybrid merino. If this course is not followed, it is obvious that we should have eventually a large proportion of wretched stock, having neither an aptitude to fatten nor produce clips of value. It will be seen that whether we elect to

breed Lincolns, Ootswolds, Romney Marsh, or other long-wools, as we have resolved to expunge the word “ retrogression ” from our vocabulary, we must go on Improving, guided in our choice of breeds bj our knowledge of the influences of soil, climate, and locality. “ As far as the climate of this province is concerned, not much need be said. The equable temperature we enjoy throughout Hawke’s Bay is so well suited to the growth of longwool, that, indeed, I know of no other country, the climate of which could give the same returns, With respect to soil, or locality, everyone must be aware of the important influence it exerts on the quality of wool. A fine bright lustrous staple may be produced on a clay soil, whereas, if the same sheep are removed to a different locality, having, say a limestone, or a gravelly Subsoil, the characteristics of the wool will be changed. It is consequently of great importance, that every sheep-farmer should study the effects soil has upon wool, and, in the choice of sires, to guard against purchasing sheep from localities of an opposite character from that in which they are to be placed. If care is not exercised with regard to this, disappointment is sure to ensue, for it will be found that a sheep which gave the greatest satisfaction to the buyer at the time of purchase, if removed to a different soil, and therefore necessarily to a different description of pasture, will fall off iu the quality of the staple it produces, though it will not necessarily tail in improving the progeny of the sheep to which it may be put. But any violent, change of soil on which it may be desired to put sheep, should be avoided as far as possible, as it involves the loss of time occupied in the acclimatization of the animal.

“ I will now approach that which may be considered of importance to us locally, in reference to th# various breeds of longwools. It cannot be contended, but that circumstances iu this, as in every other matter in the world, guide or alter cases. I have brought four breeds of longwool before you by name, and I will now express my opinion in reference to their adaptability to our province. I do not purpose to say much concerning the Leicester breed of sheep ; it has played such an important part in the improvement of the symmetry of all others, and is sonoted for its early maturity, that nothing I can bring before you can enhance its value in this direction. At the same time, the chief objections that ean be raised against it are its comparatively light weight of fleece, and the early decay of its woolcarrying capabilities. With respect to the longwools of Hawke’s Bay, it may almost be said that the Leicester is fast giving place to those breeds which, originally improved by crossing with it, have deservedly surpassed it in the estimation of sheep-breeders. Following the Leicester, we have the Lincoln and Cotswold, between which there appear advocates who consider the claims of their respective favorite breeds are conflicting. But this should not be the case; each has the distinctive value for location, and at the meeting-point of that location, it will be found that the weights of wool and carcase almost assimilate. Where pasture is abundant and of easy access on alluvial or clay subsoil lands, the Lincoln will do the country the utmost justice, both in weight of fleece and carcase, and its crosses will adapt themselves to intermediate lands. On the downs and low hills, whether limestone, papa, or clay soils, the Cotswold seems more at home ; and for crossing purposes on higher lying countries, there cannot be a doubt, that from its thicker pelt, the wool is more firmly retained than it is by the Lincoln. It will therefore be seen, that in my opinion, the Cotswold cross is better adapted for rougher country, the Lincoln for the richer grassed. I have in my possession notes obtained from various breeders, as to the weights of wool and carcase of Ootswolds and Lincolns, and it is surprising how closely in these respects the two breeds approach each other. Another breed of Longwool, of which, however, we have very few in this province, is the Romney Marsh—a breed found in more considerable numbers in the Middle Island. At a first cross, the Romney Marsh wool is very valuable, and although the parent or pure type is a gross feeder, requiring ample food at easy command, the half-breds thrive on comparatively high country for such a class of heavy sheep, and ripen quickly for market. For weight of fleece, however, the Romney Marsh is behind both the Lincoln and Cotswold, though superior to either in weight or carcase. “ I have a mass of figures and information in reference to the comparative weights of the clips of various crosses from half-bred upward, to give which now would render this a somewhat tedious paper. If you should esteem the information I have gathered of sufficient value or interest, I shall be happy on a future occasion to again address you on the subject. In the meantime I may be permitted to state that the deduction I have drawn from personal observation, and from information I have acquired from the experience of others, is, that it would be most judicious and most profitable to confine our attention to the breeding of the two proved most valued breeds, and which are the best adapted to our colony—the Lincoln and Cotswold. The first of these are found in all parts of the British dominions, and offer therefore not only an extensive choice of flocks, but sheep can be obtained from them more readily; and from their comparative abundance have this advantage, that they can be more rapidly bred up to. The Cotswold, however, are yearly increasing, both in favor and number, and I may safely say, we need not seek any wider range than those two breeds offer to make New Zealand take a first rank amongst the countries of the world for the lustre, weight, beauty, and profit, of its longwools. “ Though I ha ve been descanting on the merits of the Cotswold and Lincoln sheep, I am of opinion that the time will come, and come speedily, when the distinctive names of these two breeds will be very much done away with. So closely even now do the staples of the three chief breeds of longwools assimilate that few even of onr best wool-staplers can determine which is which when placed side by side. That this is but the natural result of years of close attention on the part of breeders to produce a long, lustrous, and valuable wool, is obvious, and I have little hesitation in saying that the day is not far distant when, at all Shows in this colony, and perhaps also in Australia, the names of Lincoln, Leicester, and Cotswold, will be merged in the one general term of Longwools. Nevertheless, it will always be wise on the part of stud

breeders, to maintain the existing distinctions, so as to secure a continuance of peculiar strains. The importance of maintaining these various and pedigreed strains must be apparent to all, as by their continued existence in their original purity, breeders in all parts of the world have the immense advantage of knowing exactly to what flocks to go to to obtain the peculiar features they may desire to strengthen in or incorporate into their own flocks. This may be considered by some a little coniradictory, but, as I said above, longwools so closclv assimilate that to the general sheep farmer it is perfectly safe, and in some cases highly judicious, to breed from Ootswolds, ®nd to their progeny again put Lincoln sires, or vice versa, for the purpose of remedying any apparent defect, or improving his general flock.

“ A few words now with respect to the selection of sires. On this topic, as lam addressing an assemblage of practical sheep farmers, there is little left for me to say. But still, as these quarterly meetings have been chiefly arranged for the purpose of interchanging our ideas on subjects on which we are all deeply interested, I may be permitted to give my opinions, which are, that to sustain uniformity of strength throughout the year’s growth of staple we should not aim at too extreme length. If we do so we must sacrifice density, and run the risk of weak parts, also, as I have seen in a few cases, almost breaks in the wool. This latter defect I have generally observed where this extreme fineness and length have alone been aimed at. Now I need scarcely point out that no greater mistake arises than in choosing sires for the fineness of their wool alone. My advice is—choose the masculine ram possessing a strong lustrous staple. The vitality of the animal gives its wool the curl and wavy lock, and if uniform, or nearly equal in quality all over, that is perfection, and the ewe or wedder progeny of the same will be sufficiently fine. Now, it is that point that is often overlooked in the selection of rams, but it should not be forgotten that a strong, healthy ram will grow a fleece of first-class second combing, and will not only be found to beget a progeny producing a first combing staple, but its own sister ewe, or own brother wedder would be found having the same qualities. That description of ram, therefore, is the one I would pick, whereas, if the ram growing himself an extremely fine first combing staple is selected, the chances are his progeny are weak in the quality of their woo(. “ Before concluding, I cannot too strongly impress on those who hear my opinions the great importance of classing the wool as it comes from the shears. Even though the classing be done in a very primitive manner, still, it is not a difficult matter to secure each bale containing as nearly as possible wool of a uniform length of staple and character, freely skirting each fleece and taking care that no stained locks are allowed to remain in the fleece. At the present moment, while good prices are ruling, brokers, and buyers, having considerable margin, are not so discriminating as they always are when the market is down. But depend upon it that when that fall comes, which our experience has taught us to expect at periodical intervals, the breeder whose brand has become known for uniformity and fair classification, will receive an ample and full reward for all his pains.”