WIDGIEWA STUD FLOCK FOR SALE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9578, 26 August 1909, Page 3

WIDGIEWA STUD FLOCK FOR SALE.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ASPIRING SHEEPMEN.

Pa3toralists the wide world over will learn with regret of the retirement of Mr John S. Horsfall, of Widgiewa, from active life as a sheep-breeder, owing to advancing years and failing health. Widgiewa, his well-known property in the Riverina district ;f New South Wales, has been sold to the no l ed merino-breeders, Messrs Falkiner, of Boonoke, but delivery is not to be given till October, to enable Mr Horsfall to effect the sale of hid classic stud flock. It is not too much to say that the Widgiewa flock stands without a peer in Australia to-day, a statement which is fully verified by the numerous triumphs achieved by them in recent years in open competition against the most famous flocks in the Commonwealth. In this connection we cannot do better than quote the wordd of a well-known Yorkshire wool-buyer, now long on the retired list—i.e , "when Mr Horsfall bought Widgiewa the sheep cut fleeces averaging well unrter 71b each, whereas now in a good season they,cut fleeces weightag close en IKb each. This increased weight of fleece has not been gained at the expense of quality, but, on the contrary, the style of wool has been much improved, and sells in the London auctions at prices as high as those realised for the most noted Riverina clips." Commentinr on Mr Horsfall's show and sale successes the same authority states: "Mr Horsfall . . . has not merely beaten the record as an exhibitor in Australia, but no sheep farmer in any part of the world has achieved such results. These successes may be summarised in a few lines.

"The Widekwa sheep have, the last 11 years, gained the f 1 lowing prizes at the leading shov.i at Sydney, Wagga Wagga, and Forbes—viz., 22 grand champions, 88 champions, 332 first prizes, 243 second prizes, 88 third prizes, 37 fourth prizes, and also first and scond prizes in the grand special prizes for 200 guineas, given at Wagga Wagga. Total, 812 prizes, and about £3,100 in prize money. The Widgiewa sheep have realised very high prices, up to a thousand guineas for a ram, and what is perhaps more wonderful, up to 200 guineas for ewes, and up to the same figure for ram lambs." It may be stated that a leading feature n the management of this historic flock has been the unswerving use of QUIBELLS' DIP, which has obtained on'the property for the past 11 years, both Mr Horsfalland lis -manager declaring it to be absolutely the best obtainable for imparting lu'sfre and elasticity to the growing fleece. The dispersal of Ihis celebrated flock affords to ambitious sheepowners the chance of a lifetime for laying the foundation of a stud with the choicest blood obtainable.*