SHEEP FOR FREEZING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3067, 12 March 1892, Page 2

SHEEP FOR FREEZING.

At a recent gathering of farmers at Woodville, which was largely attended, Mr \V. Nelson, of the firm, of Nelson Bros., who have done so much to extend the frozen meat trade in England, in the course of a speech be made on that occasion said that when he initiated the purchase contract scheme he knew all sheep would not be between 55 and Go lbs. This weight was the bust although it would not do to send all that weight us large and small joints could not be obtained. He thought the price there were giving, 2d all round, a very good price, but they were giving 2|d in order to get what they wanted. He thought as he gave such a liberal contract, farmers should supply him with what he wanted. Sheep were very often withdrawn in Hawke's Bay, yet if sheep were not obtainable in our district he went to another. Sometimes sheep ivere systematically fattened, people thinking to make more out of 001 ba at 2d than 55Ibs at 2|d. Messrs Nelson Bros, considered their interests in the matter indentical with the farmers'; and were trying to improve the market, and he hoped the' sheepfarmert would assist. They preferred to amend trade, as could ba seen when at a slight loss to themselves they were bringing out another guarantee, and under it would not gain so much as they were doing now. During the last eight months they had scarcely sold sheep | for the price they cost. Out of 250,000 about 2000inade the 400 th part of a penny over cost price, the rest at cost or under. It did not pay to freeze beef, but they did freeze it for other people. It only paid when sending large quantities. The price was too changeable. He would not advise them to freeze beef, but he strongly advised them to come under the contract and strongly advocated a uniformity in sheep. The best sheep for the property round VVoodville were Romneys, but he liked cross-bred Shropshire Downs or Lincoln Shropshire Downs, with anything except merino.