06'^. 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.SJV, 813 



heep for Farmers. 



Pv. H. GENNYS, 

 Glen Innes Experiment Farm. 



Farmers who combine other industries, such as the 

 growing of cereal crops, with sheep breeding should 

 secure a flock that will give them the best net return 

 annually per sheep. 



Having but very limited areas, as a rule, the increase must be got rid of 

 quickly, so that early maturity is a very important feature, and lamb and teg 

 nuitton raising is chiefly aimed at; this is quite in agreement with the meat 

 export trade, which always prefers the early maturing carcase. 



Wool is a secondary consideration, but mus-t not be overlooked in the 

 mothers of the lambs, which may be shoi'u for several seasons. 



What the lamb and mutton trade requires as well as early maturity is 

 quality of meat more than quantity. The weights required in lambs being 

 from 28 lb. to 40 lb. not more, anything beyond this is too heavy and would 

 probably be termed teg or weaner mutton, for real lambs should be suckers 

 up to the time of being slaughtered, and should be taken from their mothers 

 at about 4 months old in order to give the latter time to propei'ly recuperate 

 before being mated again. 



Earns to be used. — As the British breeds point to the earliest maturity 

 the}' should be used principally as the sires of the lambs, and of whatever 

 breed should always be a pure-bred of the best description and constitution, 

 as he will then be likely to impress his qualities on his oft'spring. For lamb 

 and mutton raising he should have the mutton points well developed, some 

 important ones being : — Good shoulders and broad withers, deep, full chest 

 and brisket, good girth measurement, wide back with well sprung ribs with 

 good loins, broad dock and deep full twist ; with the other male attributes 

 that should be possessed by all sires — such as masculine heads, wide nostrils, 

 good scrags, and wool of stronger type generally than ewes of the same breed. 



The Ewes should possess a good carcase, but effeminate in character, with 

 good digestive organs, well developed hind-quarters and good udders, obvious 

 points necessary for producing a good supply of milk for the speedy develop- 

 ment of the lambs. In all cases the ewes should be bred in the district or a 

 similar one, so as to thrive well under all local conditions, as the way they 

 thrive must in a great measure be reflected in their offspring. Young ewes 

 should be bred from in preference to older sheep, but in a well-developed ■ 

 crossbred should have two teeth up before being mated. Tn merinos generally 

 it is advisable that the four-teeth should be up before breeding from them. 

 When big-headed British rams are used with merino ewes, attention nuist be 



