Agricultural.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1084, 27 May 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

Agricultural.

THE BEST'SHEEP FOR AUSTRALIA,' Tho Spnnish merino now occupies tlio most prominent position as a wool-producing sheep, and is especially suited to Australia, where the growth of fine wool and large fleeces is more an object then the production of mutton. In this respect It is that the merino sheop is deservodly a favorite among Australian breeders, and is bred by thorn in preference to the Leicester, Lincoln, aud other large-framed sheep, whose growth of wool is greater but not so valuablo, but whose mialitios as mutton-producers are far superior to the merino j and it is, lor this reason that the merino is almost unknown in England, and largeframed sheep arc bred, because that there mutton it the great object of-tlio sheep farmer,

Another quality in the merino to recommend it to Australian .sheep farmers is its hardiness, for, although fattening more slowly, the merino will thrive on less food and water than any other sheep, and this is a great object'to the breeder in Australia,'whcre tho runs'are so large, and the water mostly artificial, and at great distances;

The first sheop Introduced Into 'Australia were brought In January. 1788, and numbered 29; but the first merino sheep of which wo havo nny record were Introduced by Mr. John M'Arthur, from the Cape of Good Hope, and consisted of one ram and five ewts. They arrived in 1796. . ; . • j Thoy were crossed with Mr. M'Arthur'* origiual flock of Bengal sheep, and the favorable results feoqn bepame apparent, in the conversion of the hairy coat:into wool, which was also assisted.by very, favorable climatic influences, The suni of £3OO for one pure-bred merino ram; or £SOO, for a pair, the progony of the pure Spanislrmerhio introduced by Mr, M'Artmir, was offered at Paramatta in 1822.

To slidw the rapid increase in tlio numbers of these shebp we may mention that, 21 years later, in 1843, (no process of boiling down was com-; raenced at Yass, by Mr.' 0 Brien, and sheep which, were otherwise not worth 2s; GU per head; and from this date the export of tallow became animportarit'itemintrade.- . ; : A further introiiuolion of merino blood ns made in 1806, by Mr. It' Arthur, who, with the assistance andencourograentof the Privy Council, • selected from the flock of Georgo 111, three rama apd'two ewes for this country.t- Austnl\ar\\ Skep Husbandry.