850 



Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W, 



[Dec. 2, 1920. 



gives further evidence of supplying the heaviest lamb. Scrutinising these 

 figures more closely, as in previous instances, we find the breeds occupying 

 relativelj- the following positions : — 



Weight of lambs 

 by- 



Weight of lambs 

 from— 



South Down 

 Shropshire 

 Dorset Horn 



lb. oz. lb. oz. 



72 13 Lincoln X Merino 73 3 



72 13 Leicester X Merino 74 



77 13 Border Leicester x Merino ...! 75 14 



The figures require but little comment. The outstanding feature has been 

 the consistency of the results. The Dorset Horn has headed the list 

 among rams, and the Border Leicester x Merino has occupied a similar place 

 among the competing sti'ains of ewes. 



With regard to the rams, the South Downs and Shropshires come out 

 about equal, but among the ewes the Leicester shows a slight advantage over 

 the Lincoln in accordance with its earlier maturing habit. 



Putting all farms together, and taking into consideration the distances the 

 sheep had to travel fi-om each place, the loss of weight in transit amounted 

 to 7'6 per cent, on the whole. 



The next point for consideration is to what extent the body weights can 

 be reconciled with the prices i-ealised for the mutton. Li other words, we 

 have to consider whether the lighter weight carcase of the South Down is 

 worth more on a basis of so much per lb. than the heavier carcases by the 

 Dorset Horn, and also whether the extra weight of fleece produced by the 

 Lincoln cross ewe mox'e than balances the difference in the extra body 

 weight of the lambs dropped by the Border Leicester cross. 



We may recall the fact that the previous articles as to the results from the 

 first cross ewes showed little difference in the aggregate values of wool and 

 mutton between the Lincoln and Border Leicester cross ewes, while the 

 Leicester cross showed consistently behind the other two ; looking at 

 the results in a general way, therefore, the Border Leicester x Merino 

 maintains its superiority throughout. 



From the returns before us it is possible to ascei'tain the relative values 

 paid on a basis of so much per lb. for the mutton of the various crosses. In 

 this connection we have not distinguished between the different strains of 

 ewes, but have lumped in each case all three together and merely given the 

 figures against each strain of ram. It might further be mentioned that the 

 sheep were offered for public competition, and as they were bought at so 



