762 Agricultural Gazette ofN.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. 



. — _— — — 4 



There are many who are anxious to cater for this demand, but it would 

 seem that few are seized with its special requirements. 



The lamb's carcase for export should wnigh from 33 to 40 lb. It should 

 be plump, well rounded, with the flesh equally distributed as far as possible 

 over all parts. Frequently first-cross sheep are marketed with the object of 

 catering for this F,pecial demand, but it may be again pointed out that 

 animals bred on those lines only partially fill the requirements of the trade. 



Generally, the Australian-bred pi'oduct is recognised abroad as " firsts," 

 " seconds," and "thirds," due regard for shape and quality being had in each 

 case. Lambs scaling from 33 to 38 lb., with an average weight of 35 lb., 

 are regarded as first grade ; those from 28 to 33 lb., averaging 30 lb,, 

 constitute the second grade, and those from 26 to 28 lb. are known as third 

 grades. Sometimes first grades are classed into "heavy" and "light," from 

 38 to 44 lb. being classed as heavy firsts — quality and shape, of course, being 

 duly regarded. 



From the residts which have been obtained it has been observed that 

 first crosses of longwools x Merinos usually scale from 28 to 30 lb. dressed 

 w^eight, unless, of course, the season is an exceptional one. It is therefore 

 obvious that under average normal conditions the best interests of the lamb 

 trade ai-e not being conserved if these first crosses are marketed as suckers. 

 Opinions of experts, both in Australia and abroad, have been sought during 

 the conduct of the trials, and they all agree that first crosses are too long 

 and slender, and lack the compactness, plumpness, and finish of second 

 crosses. Usually they were classed as third grades. It is to ascei'tain 

 which of the short wool breeds is most suitable for the production of the 

 best class of lamb, and incidentally in the hope that it may be possible to 

 place this branch of the wool and mutton industry on a better footing, that 

 these trials have been conducted. 



Districts where Lamb-raising may be Profitable. 



It must not be imagined that all districts of New South Wales are 

 suitable for lamb-raising. Special conditions are required to ensure success, 

 climate and rainfall playing the most important parts. The climate must 

 be cool and the rainfall distributed throughout the year to ensure a 

 sufficiency of food that will maintain the lamb in a natural state of 

 development from the time it is dropped until it reaches the marketable 

 stage. The provision of a proper food supply in the way of fodder crops 

 will ensure success, but little can be achieved in this connection unless the 

 rainfall be. favourable. 



The operations, too, will require to be co-ordinated with the natural 

 breeding instincts of the ewe. The ewes will require to be mated at such 

 time as will ensure the lambs being dropped in the autumn and marketed in 

 the spring. For such ideal conditions we must look to those regions where 

 rain begins in the autumn and falls intermittently throughout the winter 

 and spring. It is interesting to note that it is in those districts where 

 wheat-growing can be most successfully and profitably undertaken that 



