THE COLOURING OF SHOW SHEEP.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10084, 5 September 1910, Page 5

THE COLOURING OF SHOW SHEEP.

A good deal of discussion has taken place lately across the Channel on the artificial colouring and dressing of the wool of sheep for showyard purposes, and in a minor way it has frequently engaged attention in Ireland. It formed the chief subject of discussion before the National Sheep Breeders Association last week, when a paper was read on the subject by Mr Maunsell. The chief sinners are the Southdown breed of Shrops, which are generally exhibited under the well-known ochre guise, while the fleeces of Blackfaces are frequently weighted with sand and colouring matter to give the impression of greater weight and bulk. Supporters of such "faking" maintain that they have a right to show their animals in the most fav- | ourable light, that the washing of the fleece before the show takes out the natural oil, and sometimes gives the wool a dry, uneven colour,; while it is maintained that the deception of colouring is too well-known to influence the judges. But if such practices are not intended to deceive the judges or prospective buyers, where is the need for it, and it certainly makes a disagreeable task for those who are making the awards. The general opinion among fjpckmasters and exhibitors was in favour of the abolition of colouring, but unless it is prohibited by show societies it places those who would show naturally at « disadvantage. A little oil might be admitted to supply the defects of washing, but there seems no adequate reason why colouring should be adopted among Shrops to ( hide unevenness, more than among j Border Leicesters and other breeds shown in their natural colour, ob that these should not compete on their merits. i