The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1914. THE NEW ZEALAND ROMNEY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 76, 20 March 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1914. THE NEW ZEALAND ROMNEY.

An interesting article dealing with the purebred flocks in New Zealand, by Mr John Linton, of Feeding, is published in the last issue of the Journal of Agriculture, together with tables showing the progress of the various breeders registered in the Flock Books; and giving a synopsis of the New Zealand Flock Books. Mr Linton points out that the most notable feature shown by the synopsis is the increase of the Romney; and the sheep returns show what a large num- ' ber of rams are bred from ewes outside the flock-books, and goes on to say: It will be seen that in this respect the North Island is by far the greater sinner; in fact, > the South Island returns show that a very small percentage of any of the breeds are' bred from unregistered ewes. Why,' then, are such a large number in the 1 class "other breeds" in the South Is- 1 land table? The new breed, the Cor-| iicdale, is largely responsible. Seeing' that this breed is now producing over, three thousand two-tooth rams, and' is. now recognised as well established, | the Department of Agriculture might consider the utility of giving the breed' a column in the sheep return. In order' to estimate the rams likely to be avail- 1 able the coining season, the figures in the tables require to be discounted 1 for deaths, old age, and culls. Death I and old age will assert themselves and, taking last year's figures, it se-iin \ that nature was responsible for all the culling done. This year's loss being only 16 per cent.—a very 4 <nv percentage for natural causes alone—the culling of inferior rams must have been very small. It being recognised by those who have the welfare of tno sheep industry at heart that a very largo percentage of rams on the market arc, to say the least, low grade, it were well, if it were possible, that the use of the knife were made compulsory, there being no use for at least 20 per cent, of the ranms now available