766 



Agncidtural Gazette of N.S.W. 



[Nov. 2, 1920. 



Turning to the other aspect of the table, it will be observed that the 

 Border Leicester x Merino ewes gave the largest pci'centage of lambs, approxi- 

 mately 83 per cent. The Lincoln x Merino ewes came next with a 

 percentage of aDout 78, and the Leicester x Merino last with approximately 

 77 per cent. 



As the records have been taken over au extended period, embracing seasons 

 above and below normal, and every care has been taken to secure as high an 

 increase of lambs as circumstances would permit, the results afford a yt^ry 

 fair indication of the percentage of lambs that may reasonably be expected 

 under such conditions. Even with the figures before us we would not like to 

 go so far as to say that any oue .strain of ewe was a more ready breeder than 

 the others, but from the results we 'may safely deduce that the Border 

 Leicester cross ewe has given ample proof of its natural propensity to yield a 

 fair increase under the conditions outlined. 



The number and percentage of ewes assisted at parturition and of those 

 dying at lambing time after service by the three different breeds of rams 

 may be gathered from the following summary, which includes ewes from all 

 three groups : — 



Taking the mher point of view — the strain of ewe that most required 

 assistance at parturition and of which most died during lambing, as a I'esult of 



mating with the thrt^e breeds of rams- 



-the figures can be summarised thus : — 



The results, however, cannot be decided on one point alone ; they will 

 require to be worked out in their entirety. We must consider the body 

 weight of the lamb and the market value of the carcase before arriving at a 

 definite conclusion. 



The Development of the Lambs. 

 The weights of the lambs of each cross were taken each month until five 

 months old. and the next series of tables gives the average of each cross at 

 each farm. We begin with Wagga Experiment Farm again. 



