THE LAMBING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10116, 11 October 1910, Page 5

THE LAMBING.

AN UNSATISFACTORY DOC^'NG

The past week has seen sheep men particularly busy marking and docking their lambs, and on some farms the work has been completed. As a general rule it is only the very high percentage that Ave receive information about, and there is perhaps a disposition to over-rate the increase in a district. It is to be regretted that on some of the farms and stations in the near neighbourhood of Masterton, we learn on reliable authority that the increase is decidedly moderate, ranging from as low as 65, 70, 75, and 80 per cent. Questioned as to the cause of the state of affairs a well-known settler whose flock, returned the lowest average quoted above, stated that in his opinion there were two causes, viz., the very heavy mortality which eventuated among young lambs during tlie cold and severe storm which passed over the "Wairarapa at the end of August, and also that there was a very low birth-rate among a number of the ewes. From Braucopeut, where docking will be completed in the course of a few days, and which is a station noted year in and year out for good averages, it is reported that from 110 to 120 percent, have been marked in the various paddocks.

As to the percentage likely to be returned for the whole of this district, several farmers venture their opinion that if anything it will be lower man last season, and that in conjunction with the heavy deathrate among hoggets there will be a material decrease in the stock available for market this coming season.