QUESTION OF SHEEPBREEDING.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 171, 24 March 1915, Page 5

QUESTION OF SHEEPBREEDING.

PLEA FOR CLEAN FLOCKS

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Ther e is a tendency on the part of some of our farmers to use black-faced rams with the idea of producing fat lambs. Now this may be right in one way, but I wish to point out the evil of it. At the Present time this district -is ncted for its sheep; people ccine to us from all parts from as far North as Whangarei and down country, among districts who require igocd straight lines free from the blemish t$ of blade faces. The introduction of black faces in cur flocks is destroying their reputation, and it is a vary open question if the crossing with black faces will prove satisfactory. It is the expei-ience of some breeders that there is a big tail among the black faces in this country and" in such cases the tail is left with' us to pollute our flocks. It would appear to me that there can be no harm in using, say, Bonders, a sheep that produces a good fat lamb and any sheep not fattened would remain v. ith us as a useful cross bred either for breeding os fattening and always a saleable sheep. Not so with the black faces; they will always be difficult to sell and an eye-sore in any of cur sale yards. Only a few years ago Hunterville sale yards were noted for the clean lines " cf cattle offered, and farmctrs wanting cattle preferred to go there in preference to other centres for cattle, the introduction cf Jersey blood has altered this state cf things, and to-day a line cf really good coloured cattle is remarked on. The use of black faces in this district (whera such sheep ar e not suitable) will leave the same effect en otj'r sheep as the Jersey has had on' our cattle, and the district as a whole will regret the day -when black faee s were introduced, for as I have' said the use of these sheep will simply destroy the present reputation w e have for lines of clean sheep.—l am, etc., A. BARNES.