THE ARGENTINA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 124, 3 September 1910, Page 7

THE ARGENTINA.

A NEW ZEALANDER-S IMPRESSIONS. The following interview is taken from the Herald, of Buenos Ayres, Argentina: ! One of the most remarkable features in the show has been the extraordinary success achieved by the Romney Marsh I sheep from New Zealand, bred and shown I by Mr. Ernest Short, of Paxorangi, Feeding, New Zealand. They have simply I swept the board, and Mr. Short has to Ihis credit the champion ram lamb, the ! reserve champion, the champion pen of j three Romney Marsh ewes, the first prize 1 for rams lambed before January 1, 1909, ! the first prize for a pen of three ram lamlbs lambed between May 1 and OctoI ber 31,1909, first prize for a pen of three I ewes lambed before January l, 1909, and j first prize for a pen of ewe lambs lamibed between April 1 and October 1, 1909. Considering Mr. Short was the only exhibitor from New Zealand, he has proved himself indeed a worthy representative of his country, and for his pluck and initiative most assuredly deserves the success he has met with. Sheep such as his are not brought a three' weeks' sea voyage without considerable risk and great expense, and it is more than probable that those who will undoubtedly followwhere Mr. Short has had the pluck to lead will reap the benefit. All the more credit is therefore due to the pioneer who lias opened up a new market for New Zealand prize stock and shown the breeders of this country what they can buy with their money. To his honor let it be said that money has never been the question with the Argentine breeder. All he has ever asked for, and continues to as'k for, is the best, no matter at what price. Mr. Short is naturally proud of his success, and still more so of his wonderful country, where such sheep as -his I can thrive. •

In an interview with a Herald reporter Mr. Short expressed himself as more that gratified at the delight shown by Argentine and English breeders at the quality of the New Zealand sheep, both as regards the crimp in the wool and the carcase. Asked what he thought of the International Show,'he said:

"It has been a good thing for the country and most beneficial to all concerned that a real international show has been held, and what I mean by a real international show is one where an international championship is held. Several nations sent their best to compete in the open ring, including England and my own country, and it was only right that, having sent its best, they should have a chance of meeting on level ground. Unfortunately I was debarred from competing in the two classes the conditions of which demand that the sheep should be lambed between January 1 and April 30. These were the classes in which the Kent Cup was awarded. Of course only sheep bred north of the Line could compete. It is altogether a splendid show, and the buildings are the best and most complete that I have ever seen; in fact, far better than anything to be seen even in England. The sheep pens are especially good and well finished, and the only-fault as far as I can see is that they might have (been a little larger. They are too small for three sheep, and it would be a great improvement if a foot were taken off either side of the alleyway to widen the! pens. The alley-way is heaps wide, enough to stand it, and the pens would I be greatly benefited." ; "How does ■ the Argentine breed of I stock strike you?" are very fine, healthy, hardy] lot. It would be a great advantage if breeders here would go in for denserbacked sheep, showing more character in. I the head and denser covering. I believe the climate is greatly to blame for some of the faults, and if I may give a word of advice I would say : don't try to do' impossibilities. This country is so vast and its climate and atmospherical conditions so varied, that, where one breed j will <lo well, another will not—one man's food, another man's poison, you know. The thing is to find out by careful study and sound judgment the breed that does best on your particular land, and then go in for it for all you are worth. My opinion is that England will have to look to her laurels if she .wants to hold her own against her kids.. She must pay more attention to.the quality of her stock, and not continue to trade on the Splendid name the good old-fashioned English farmer got for her. If. Great Britain-would allow the colonies to send in live sheep for competition,.the.English farmer would soon have the standard set for him. I don't see why she does not do this. Our sheep are free of scab and • all other diseases, and I am quite sure that our English Leicesters, Border Leicesters, Corriedales,. and Romney Marsh would beat the home-bred stock in any open competition, as theyj have here. It struck me that the Argentine breeders are suffering solely from lack of experience as regards showing sheep, but as regards cattle they have nothing to learn from anybody in the world. Mr. Short is above all a practical man with an experience in sheep-farming that but few men possess to-day, and is proud of his ability t© do a day's graft (using the word in the English, not in the American sense) with any man.