FACTS FOR FARMERS.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 221, 9 October 1873, Page 2

FACTS FOR FARMERS.

STUD SHEEP, THEIR USE AND MAXAG-EMENT. At the present time, when our leading sheep-breeders are sparing neither expense nor trouble to thoroughly regenerate the flocks of the colony, I trust a few remarks as to what are termed stud sheep, and their management, may not be deemed out of place. The origin and use of stud sheep is keeping up a flock of puro-bred sheep for the purpose of breeding rami and ewes, whereby the whole of the flocks through which these are disseminated may be constantly improving. Now, in order to carry this out successfully, great care and judgment require to be exercised, not only with reference to the breed of sheep, but also to the adaptability of the pasture and climate they arc upon. Ever since Victoria has been a colony stud sheep have been in existence, and in a great many instances only so in name. Every sheep-owner or manager does not possess sufficient judgment, or hat not the eye to detect faults either in form of sheep or quality of wool, and faulty sheep from either causejif allowedjto remain in a stud flock, must deteriorate it. To the great neglect in the-e matters may in a measure be traced much of the disease, and the many thousands of inferior, mongrel-brei sheep that formerly existed, and even now are to be found in some parts of the colony. To many inexperienced sheep-owners the name of pure-bred sheep is a sufficient guarantee without any further trouble or examination, but purp-breds are liable to defects the samo as other, sheep, and if permitted to remain in the fl ee will perpetuate tbem^ to the eventual deterioration of all the flocks they pass through. Of all sheen none require more carefully culling than stud sheep, and it is better to cull even too closely than to leave sheep in the flock about which there is any doubt. The increase of pure-bred ewes requires to be carefully inspected, and only such as appear perfect must he reserved" for stud purposes. By careful attention to these points perfection only can be arrived at. It is by thij) means our most noted breeders both here and in New South Wales have established such a widespread reputation for their wool, and whose sheep realise such high prices and are so eagorly sought after. 1 noticed in your last issue the fine prices realised by the importers of the longwoolled sheep sold by Messrs Bowels, Rutherford, and Co in Melbourne. It is to men like the purchaser! of these fine sheep that we must lqok {09 the regeneration of our flocks, and I cannot conclude this better than by wiihjng them every succrss in their investment, and that the increase may speedily spread over the colony ; their spirited competition will, doubtless, encourage further consignments, all of which must tend to our pastoral prosperity.— B. Bennett, in the Australasian.