8 Oct., 1907.] I'.xport Trade in Lambs. 633 



Towards spring the sheep should be removed, the harrows put over the 

 field, and the crop allowed to come away. Maize and millet are excellent 

 summer fodder crops to grow, if conditions are favorable. It is not 

 possible to lay down permanent grass pastures in the arid northern districts. 

 Grasses cannot withstand the prolonged summer heat or droughts. In any 

 case exotic grasses are unsuitable. Permanent pastures, however, can be 

 established bv growing lucerne and salt-bush and thereby the stock carry- 

 ing capacity of the land will be increased. In the southern and western 

 districts permanent pastures can be established, and a mixture of grasses 

 that will provide succulent food throughout the greater part of the year 

 should be sown. This object can be achieved by sowing grasses that 

 ripen at different periods; rye grass, prairie grass, meadow foxtail, meadow 

 fescue, timothy, cocksfoot, crested dogstail, white clover, nlsvke clover, 

 and cow grass, will grow well and make a good pasture. 



Importance of Shelter. 



Another factor tending to produce deterioration in our lambs is ex- 

 posure to cold and wet. As exposure makes great demands upon the 

 animal economy, the flocks should be sheltered, if the best results are 

 to be secured. One sees so few graziers providing shelter for stot'k. Belts 

 of trees such as currijongs, bluegums, tree lucerne, and coral trees, should 

 be established to protect stock from inclemency of season. Animals pro- 

 perly sheltered thrive well, and the vigour of their health is consistently 

 maintained at a high level, and so their bloom is preserved. In New 

 Zealand, the importance of shelter is fully recognised and shelter belts 

 and hedges will be found on the various holdings. 



Breeds. 



Locality has a bearing on breeds of sheep. The climate of the 

 southern one-third of Australia is more adapted for sheep for meat pur- 

 poses than the northern two-thirds. Much has already been gained by 

 actual experience as to the breeds that will thrive best in paiticular 

 localities. The black-faced breeds are regarded as being the best for 

 lamb export purposes. They mature early ; fatten quickly, and are better 

 adapted than other types to graze over artificial pastures 01. small holdings ; 

 also, if killed within reasonable time after removal from the pastures, they 

 maintain their bloom longer. In Australia, a special type of sheep is not 

 generally grown for export. Here and there onlv can it be said that lambs 

 are specially raised to meet export trade requirements. The question may 

 be put does it pay better to breed Down crosses ot Longwools for export. 

 In this connexion the skins have a great influence with the exporter. He 

 HKes the skins that give him the most value and he somehow looks upon 

 the meat as a secondary consideration. Last year showed that any differ- 

 ence in price between lambs of the same weight and condition was due to 

 the skin. Experience in Victoria shows that the breed or cross which 

 gives the best weight of lamb in a given time, and yields a good skin is 

 the one to employ. Contrary to previous experience the black face last 

 year was of no advantage in selling lamb. The main points considered 

 were condition, weight in a given time, and skin. 



Animals from poor pastures do not furnish the same quality of meat 

 as those from rich and sound ones. They may, indeed, in some seasons, 

 appear plump enough, but there is not the solidity and weight in them as 



