WRINKLY AND SMOOTH MERINO.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4308, 31 December 1892, Page 3

WRINKLY AND SMOOTH MERINO.

The difference of opinion regarding the relative merits of the wrinkly au'l smooth types of merinos gives rise to considerable discission in America, The percentage of wool to lire weight of the wrinkly sheep is admittedly greater than the smooth merino, but it is contended, and the contention is backed up strong evidence, that the development of the wrinkly habit, of body is Utthe expense of constitution The olimate of Vermont, where sheepbreedjng engages so muoh attention, isa w'goroua one, and a trifling in- ! oreaßo in the greasy weight of wool can scarcely be considered as an equivalent for a deterioration of the natural strength of tb» animal and its | ability to withstand climatic ohangeß I of a sudden and severe order. '. A I wrinkle may be \t • co-effioienfc of J the wooUproduoing power, ■ ■, .but

of this power tosuoh an extent thai the bodily strength. of' the amma unequal to the strain im|inscdu|ion it and cotistituliotial weak ness followms a natural sequence. The mntieris of snme importance to Australian as the VermontAustrnlian merino has now an cstxhlished pluco in our flo n ks, and fiirthpr importations from America will no doubt bn made from time to time. In blending the strains, however, it is more than probable the Australian merino will berqual to supplying the lack of vigourintheconstitution ofthe imported animals, if such exist, and the danger from weakness of this kind will he reduced to a. minimum. J edging by show ring experiences, the Vermont-Australian slieop oxhibit oliarnoteristies which commend ibem to a considerable section of our breeders. What the ultimate effects upon flocks will be remains to bp proved, but vigour of constitution is st/ch an raportai t point in sheep-breeding thai th* closest observation sho'ild bp eieroisetl to mark the efffots of the imported strain, so tlmt it may be bred out us qniokly as possible if it is found not to answer during a tryiusr Keason.—Ex' bange.