H.—2l

4

The increases shown in the different provinces are — Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 189,375 Napier ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 300,052 Wellington-West Coast ... ... .. ... ... 554,675 Marlborough-Nelson . ... ... ... .. ... 48,880 Canterbury-Kaikoura ... ... ... ... ... ... 393,011 Otago ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 331,007 Total increase ... ... ... ... 1,817,000 From reports, the lambing was below the average in the North Island and northern portion of the South, while in Otago, and Southland especially, it was considerably over. The weather being very favourable during lambing in the higher portions of these provinces, an abundant crop of lambs was the result. The general percentage is reckoned to be slightly over last year's estimate, and therefore may be put down at 62 per cent, for merinoes and 83 per cent, for other breeds. Lambs. —The demand for cross-bred lambs for freezing has induced many occupiers of high country, formerly considered only fit for merinoes, to put their cast or cull ewes to long-wool rams. The result, so far as reported, has been successful, and this has led to the experiment receiving a wider trial this season. With a fairly open winter and an early spring, there is no reason to doubt the result ; but, on the other hand, should the spring be backward, and the ewes weak, there is every probability of a heavy death rate. Last winter several lots of Leicester cross-bred hoggets were wintered on one of the highest runs in Marlborough, and were reported to have come in well at shearing. Leicester and Eomney rams are now being freely used for crossing, as the Lincoln rams have been found too soft. Especially was this the case in the North Island, and where Leicester and Eomney rams have been tried the progeny has proved much hardier. To properly test the question, some experiments are now being tried by running the hoggets of the two crosses together, and exactly under the same conditions. Down rams are being largely used for crossing the coarser ewes, to produce early lambs for freezing. Store Sheep. —The demand for the first four months after shearing was much beyond the supply, consequently prices went up considerably. A new element in the trade was the shipping of a considerable number of stores from the Wairarapa and other districts in the North Island to Canterbury. Frozen Mutton and Lamb. —As will be seen from the accompanying tables, the number of carcases exported is short of the number shipped during the period ending 31st March, 1892, by 141,679. lam of opinion that this shrinkage may be accounted for by the large area of bush land annually being cleared, together with an increased demand by farmers, who have, owing to low prices ruling, abandoned grain growing. The market rate for our frozen meat, although much below its proper value, still maintains a fairly even figure; the article is also becoming better known. Lately the Imperial army and navy officials reported favourably on our meat, and it is to be hoped that arrangements will be made to supply these departments. The facilities for shipping may now be said to be amply sufficient for present requirements, and in nearly every case the meat is being landed in good order. Wool. —The reports regarding the clip are much the same as the lambing. In the North Island and northern portion of the South Island, merinos light and long-wools fair—a good deal matted; while in the South it is reported above the average. The prices ruling are far from satisfactory, and until America removes the duty there does not seem to be much prospect of better prices. Disease. —l regret to say that there has been considerable mortality amongst the hoggets in some districts. The excessive rainfall has, no doubt, much to do with this, causing, as it has, an overabundance of grass, combined with the presence of internal parasites. A great many remedies have been tried for these parasites, but without much if any effect, and a thorough and exhaustive investigation is urgently needed. lam of opinion that the system of farming must be changed, and instead of so many sheep being crowded on to the rich pastures, a certain proportion must be grazed with cattle and sheep alternately. A small quantity of chaff would be a great help to the young sheep during the autumn, winter, and spring months, and could be supplied at a cost of, say, Is. to Is. 6d. for each hogget for ten weeks. It is also of the utmost importance that an abundant supply of pure water should be provided. It is a well-known fact that many parasites are found in stagnant water, and an endeavour should therefore be made to have either a running stream, or water sup-. plied in troughs, from wells, or by draining springs or swamps. This latter method, where practicable, is strongly recommended, as, besides reclaiming the land, a pure supply is always available at little cost. Woems. The Kind of Worms affecting the Sheep, " In the treatment of sheep for worms, the first thing to be done is to ascertain the kind of worms with which the sheep are infested, as the treatment for stomach and intestinal worms is different from that for lung-worms. No drench should be administered until it is settled which kind of worms are infesting the sheep. " With that view, one or two of the sheep exhibiting the most decided symptoms of being infested should be killed, their intestines opened and examined carefully throughout, and a thorough examination made of the lungs by ripping up and examining the bronchial tubes, or air-passages, right to the edges of the lobes of the lungs. "The worms which are most injurious to the sheep are the 'stomach' worm (Strongylus contortus), the ' tape ' worm (Tcenia expansa), and the ' lung ' worm (Filaria bronchalis). " The Stomach-ioorms are to be found in the fourth stomach. They are like fine hairs, red or brown, and white, ' and marked like a barber's pole.' They are about one inch in length, and are