Sept. 2, 190S.] Apricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 713 



Sheep at Bathurst Experimeijt Farm 



R. W. PEACOCK. 



At the New Soutli Wales Sheepbreeders' Association's Show, lield in July, 

 190S, aiiitthei- practical demonstration of the results of the system of cross- 

 breedin.u- of sheep for export lamb and mutton was given. Twenty-four 

 pens were exhibited, comprising in all sixty-one sheep. They represented 

 first crosses, second crosse--, aiid comebacks. A sheep from each of seventeen 

 pens was slaughtered, and the carcasses exhiljited in front of the pens, so 

 that the quality of nnitton could be readih' seen. These, in conjunction 

 with the live stork in the jjens, afforded satisfactory (opportunities for the 

 study of the various crosses. What could be expected from a mutton point 

 of view was apparent, and those interested could, by inspecting the live 

 sheep, form an excellent idea of the value of the crosses from a wool- 

 producing point of view, a most valuable aid in the selection of breeding 

 ewes. 



The sheep were depastured under rather adverse conditions. The drought 

 affected the younger sheep especially ; these could only be classed as good, 

 and not prime. The older sheep were prime. The weights of both carcasses 

 and skins are slightly in excess of actual weights, as they were weighed 

 directly after slaughtering, and not allowed to cool ; they are comparative. 



The li\ e weights given for the unslaughtered sheep are the average weights 

 of the shee[» weighed at the farm prior to leaving for Sydney, and are 

 comparable. 



Allowance should l)e made, when considering the table below, for the 

 individuality of sheep. Although they weri^ chosen very carefully as typical 

 specimens, slight errors caiuiot be eliminated when figures are given for 

 individuals only. For instance, the weight (20 lb.) of skin from hogget by 

 Shro23shire ram on Lincoln-Merino ewe is in excess of what could reasonably 

 be expected, it being rather exceptional as regards its covering. Also the 

 weight of skin, ^■iz., 21.^^ lb., from comeback hogget with a proportion of 

 Southflown blood, was heavier than should generally be expected from such, 

 this individual unquestionably leaning towards the Merino as regarfls its 

 covering. 



The unslauglnered sheej) will be shorn when the tieeces have made twelve 

 months' growth. Their weights, and a report \ipon theii- roinniercial \alues, 

 will be published when available. 



The results of the slaughtering are in hai-monv with those of last year. 

 (See 6^«:;eW<^, Septembei-, 1!)07, p. 7-11.) It is again interesting to note the 

 effect of the greater infusion of the blood of the iiritish breeds upon the 

 weights of the carcasses, the second crosses being heavier than the first. 



