WOOL AND SHEEP JUDGING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9553, 28 July 1909, Page 5

WOOL AND SHEEP JUDGING.

AN INTEKESTING COMPETITION. PROMOTED BY THE MASTERTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Keen interest was taken in the wool and sheep judging competition, and the lecture by Mr W. Perry, yesterday, which was conducted un--1 der the auspices of the Masterton ' Technical School, in connection with, their wool classes. The first term of the wool classes ends to-day, and it wan with the idea of still further making the classes attractive and interesting to students that yesterday's programme was arranged. The competitions commenced in the morning at the Showgrounds, where Mr W. Perry, of "Penrose," had generously yarded live of his wellknown Lincoln sheep for the purpose. The students entering for the competition were to individually examine the sheep penned, and after careful consideration, give a written judgment in respect of each animal. The sheep were to be judged. with the idea of mating wilh Romney ewes for the purpose of breeding, a en ss'jred flock, taking into consideration quality and evenness of wool. The entries were numerous, the judging was carried out by Messrs W. Perry, Bland Rayner, D. McGregor, jnr., E. Harper and S. Wood. As it happened the first and second students were successful in placing the sheep in the same order as the judges. The results are as follow: A. McKay and J. McGregor, jnr. (tied) 1 C. Gawith 2 A. J. Cooper 3 The announcement that Mr Perry was to deliver a lecture in connection with the competition, after the results of the students, and that he would also read a paper "On Sheep From the Points of View of the | Woolgrower," attracted quite a large attendance of settlers and students generally. Mr Perry, in his opening remarks, expressed pleasure at seeing so many present. Not a very large number of students had entered for the competition, hut he thought this was due to the fact that some of them were not apparently familar with sheep to enter for a practical competition. The speaker then read hi> paper, which was listened to with the keenest interest by those present. It ran &s follow:—"It is one thing to work up a good flock of sheep by constant attention to all the necessary details, but quite another thing to impart to Others the impressions and lessons gained in the process, were it not for the very pressing invitation received, I should hesitate to obtrude my views on the sheep raising question. However, knowing by experience how hard it is for a young man to get hold of the first principles of sheep breeding, ia the knowledge gained by me will be of any service to you, I shall be only too happy to give it. There are various breeds of sheep, some, such as Border and English Laicesters, are quite modern breds, whilst others are very ancient. Though the breeds "differ considerably in the form and wool the same fundamental principle is found in them all. There are two factors which have a very material effect on the wool, and the latter especially so on the frame. A cold climate tends to produce a strong, robust wool, possibly a little on the dry side, while in a warm climate wool has a tendency to become finer, and throw off a greater amount of yolk, generally at the expense of the frame. Soil has such an effect on the wool, that in many instances ij; is possible, by examinations, to tell the nature of the soil on which it was produced; soil 3 of a gritty nature, such as limestone, chalk, sandstone, and gravel, have the tendency to produce a small-locked, firm wool, and aldo to increase the bone of the animal. On the other hand heavy loam land will produce softer wool of a very attractive character, but will tend to reduce the bone. The bulk of the flocks in this district; are the Lincoln-Romney cross, and a very profitable cross it is, providing ife is carried out on sound lines. When, starting a cross-bred flock try to fix a type in your mind so that you will have something definite to aim at. It is a great point to have a good start, thurafora try ta secure your ewes from so.-ne breeier who already has a good flock o. the tvp3 you wish to breei arid if possible off similar soil to that on wheh you are going to pasture them. It is a recognised principle thac only purebred sires must be used—sires of a first cross leave a very nondescript animal—also great attention mu3tba paid to evenness and character in the wool than when mating sheep of one breed. When selecting a sire avoid goiner to extremes; sea that the fleece is even paying particular attention to the bade, as this part has. to stand the brunt of the weather,, and if not sound and healthy it will get wasty by shearing time. The breech wool is usually a little stronger thsn the other parts of the bodv, but must not be harsh or showing want of character; the fleece should be a fair length, well stuck on the skin, fairly dense, sound and robust with plenty of character, this combined with a strong constitution is what is required in a sire." At the conclusion of his address Mr Perry sai \ the paoc-rs handed n by tha vaii-iJ 3tui ns ha 1 beju

carefully perused, with the result | that Messrs McKay and McGregor | had been bracketed for first place. J Although both of these students had placed the sheep correctly they made slight mistakes in their description, but on the whole the papers were excellent. Messrs Gawith and A. J. Cooper, who were second and third, respectively, on tho list, were out. in the placing of the sheep, but their descriptions were meritorious. The Lincoln sheep which had been adjudged fu\st on the list was then brought into the ring, and Mr Perry j;ave a practical demonstration of how to judge a sheep from the standpoint of a breeder and wool-grower. Ihe sheep, tne lecturer stated, had a good nostril, strong head, was wide between;; the eyes, and hart a good character of wool on the head. The ears were strong, but should be more erect. The hair on the face was firm and strong-, but slightly lacking in character. The legs were sound and well set apart, and the hoofs strong, •and nut liable to foot-rot. There was plenty of flat bone, which was the foundation of a good animal. The muscle above the feet and the size of the teet wore a good indication of flat bone, and a sheep of this description was also easily selected and detected by the way the animal sionr. The hiiid legs should be we 1 set forward. Regarding the frame of the sheep, the speaker said the neck was well set from the shoulder to the head. The top of the shoulders should, however, centre a little higher. The ribs were good and well sprung, the loin firm, hut a triflo long. Flat boned sheep usually produced a very much heavier leg of • mutton than a round boned one. The quality of the wool was then dealt with, "it being describsd an even j character. The wool on the jaw was a good indication of the points on the legs. It was well fastened on to the skin, and was of a bright lustre, and decidedly curly. The hack was a little open, but soun3. The n2xt sheep to bo introduced into the ring was ot the "scrubber" variety, and as Mr Perry observed, was intended as an illustration of "what a sheep should not be." He pointed oat the lack of quality, while the sheep was constitutionally good, and the ugly manner in which the shoulders reached nearly up to the ears, clearly indicating that the foundation of the animal was on the wrong lines. Mr Perry pointed out that th-J second sheep on the list was well made, and the hair on the face was good and the eyes bright. The feet was strong, but did nut show as much flat bone as the first one. live animal had character, which wad denoted by the splendid head. The fleece was good and even. but had not the character of number one. The points of the third sheep were described at so;ne length. It showed a fine quality face by the fine hair, but the shape denoted lack of strength. Ihi bone was of fine quality, but showed the same tendency. The whole animal reflected quality throughout in frame and wool, but it was on the fine side. The fourth sheep in order of merit was used by the lecturer to illustrate that a sott face and bone ran in conjunction with a soft wool. In conclusion Mr Perry emphasised the fact that the frame was the foundation on which the wool grew. To produce wool of good quality they must have quality in the frame, but should not sacrifice constitution cr tho result would be a delicate animal. The remark had often been made that to have a strong constitution a Lincoln sheep must have course wool. He disagreed with this statemant. A large fibre didnot prove anything, for the wool might be straight, soft and delicate. What was required was wool with a decided crimp and bright lustre, and where the wool connected with tho skin it should appear as if t were stronger than at the top. The latter point applied more particularly - to young sheep. Once the art of reading the wool in one breed had been attained it. was an easy matter to learn th£j others, as the principles were the same in all. Expert shepherds could tell by glancing at a flock ot sheep whether they were gaining or losing condition. Directly a sheep begins to fail tho flow of the yolk was arrested, the tips ot* the wool became dry, and the scales Jon the fibre open and allow the wool to straighten, thus giving the sheep a dejected appearance. It was (comparatively easy to pick sheep or

place them in a Show ring to one's own satisfaction, but harder to explain to others in an intelligible manner, the reasons for so placing them. However, ha hoped that if his remarks only lead to discussing some good vsould have been done. M>- S. Wnod, the Instructor of the Technical School Wool Classes, then entered the ring, and explained to the students the difference in the quality of the wool of the various • sheep, on the lines of the various lectures deliverad during the quarI ter, and his remarks were listened to with keen interest. Mr E. Feist, Chairman of the Directors of the Technical School, then moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Perry for his able and instructive address, and for the time and trouble he had devoted to making the demonstration and competition the success it had been. The motion was carried by acclamation.