492 Agricultural Gazette of N.SJF. \June 2, 1908. 



Further, the rams possess the advantage of having faces free from wool, 

 and bellies comparatively lightly covered, both points being of especial value 

 in grass pastures with ripening seeds. 



The lambs, however, did not hold their condition so well as the first- 

 mentioned cross, but in fair seasons they may be iclied on to give excellent 

 results. 



In the past season the lambs by a Dorset Horn ram from T;incoln-merino 

 ewes have surpassed all others in growth, and they give every indication of 

 proving a valuable cross under our coii(lition!4. 



During the drought of last year, although all sheep had to be hand-fed, the 

 Dorset ram obtained the highest average of lambs, viz., 90 per cent, from 

 seven tv- five ew^s. 



Shropshire x Merino Lambs. 



In order to relieve the ewes the second lamb of the twins born was killed, 

 otherwise his average would have exceeded 100 per cent. 



As some of the district averages were as low as 8 per cent., the farm general 

 average marking of 75 per cent, must be regarded as satisfactory. Such 

 results, however, are only obtainable by giving the ewes strict pttention at 

 lambing time, so that those in difficulty may be assisted, and the ravages of 

 crows prevented. 



Systematic baiting foT dogs and foxes should be carried out. A good 

 method is to run a drag round the paddocks consisting of a good-sized piece 

 of flesh which has been slightly roasted, (bi the trail thus made pieces of 

 meat, preferably liver, or birds which have been treated with strychnine 

 should be dropped at intervals and all dead lambs should be treated with 

 poison for the purpose of increasing the chances of a good catch. 



