SUFFOLK SHEEP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3014, 7 November 1891, Page 5 (Supplement)

SUFFOLK SHEEP.

Tiia fullowing interesting extract from a letter sent ouk by Colonel Gorton, who is now in England, has been published by the Riingitikei Advocate :—The Suffolk sheep are coming greatly to the front, and are, without doubt, the beat black-faced sheep I have seen, having very large frames, and butchers like them as they do not run to fat so much as Lincolns and are dolicious oating. The auctioneer told me that his son on his form killed a wether 18 months old. weighing lOOlb. They never keep them beyond that nue, and generally sell them as 2-tooth. I feel convinced tho.se sheep would do splendidly in New Zoahnd, and would be just the kind to cross with our old Lincoln ewes for early lambs. They would yield splendid lambs, big in frame and heavy in weight, and would bo good doers. I saw the cross between the Cotswold and the Suffolk ewe, and the result was excellent. Of course wliut is against the Suffolk is that they only clip about Gib of wool. I don't think they come on as fast as other sheep, but I am told they would live where other Rhsep would not. I am much taken with them for crossing out old ewes to get lambs, and will further post myself up about them, but the sheep to ray fancy for a general flock is undoubtedly the Colswold. I like them better than the Lincoln; they are bigger in carcase, nearly as good in wool, and the wool is finer. I am going to work up that subject. Commenting on and describing a sale he had attended, he says : — " The auctioneer did not sell well. I am conceited enough to think I could have knocked spots out of him. I am going over the Duke of Hamilton's farm on Saturday, where I shall see the best Suffolk horses, and some splendid shorthorn cattle and Suffolk sheep. I am going with a practical farmer who knows the stewards very well, and I am told I shall get a good reception. The Duchess has a model dairy farm, and if at home I am told would probably insist on showing it t<. me horself. I enjoyed the Royal show at Doncaster immensely. I have serious thoughts of sending out a Suffolk horse. They are beautiful horses, and I am sure for our work in New Zealand are more suitable than either the Clydesdale or Shire.