10 Jan., 19 II-] Shropshires for Mixed Farming. 



43 



SHROPSHIRES FOR MIXED FARMING. 



G. A. Siftclair, Principal, Longerenong Agricultural College. 



Though, for the present, unfashionable, it does not follow that Shrop- 

 shires are therefore unprofitable. Indeed, our experience leads one to con- 

 clude that they are amongst the most profitable breeds that can be used 

 on a mixed farm. 



For some years, the College lambs have realized either the highest 

 price in the district, or nearly so. For the past two years, they have been 

 sold in one line, i.e., with an allowance to the buyer of 10 per cent, of 

 rejects, and the results have been very satisfactory. Last year, 7 per cent, 

 were rejected, and this year only 5 per cent. 



Our experience teaches us that we get best results by using Shropshire 

 rams on cros.sbred or comeback ewes, these being better mothers, and the 

 mortality in lambing is far less than when merino ewes are kept. Thib 

 season we obtained 98 per cent, of lambs with little or no loss among 

 the ewes, and they realized iis. 6d. per head delivered at the local railway 

 station. 



we have 750 ewes. The ram.s wrrc |)ut with them on 8lh Xovember, 

 and hmibing started on 1 1 th April. The ewes were running on the stubble, 

 which we do not burn off. We find, even in dry autumns, that the under- 

 growth, protected by the long straw, affords good grazing, ^^'he^ the rain 

 comes early (as it did last sea.son, in the shajje of a heavy downjiour of 

 3^ inches in the middle of February ), the grass which springs up is usually 

 burnt off by the sun in a few weeks. The long stubble left after the 

 harvesters protects the young growth, and good feed can always l)e founil 

 in the.so paddocks. 



An objection rai.sed to ihc lircod is (he small nturii from the wixil. For 

 some vears past our Shropshire wool has realized as good prices as the 

 <'omeback and crossbred wool. This season, for instance, the Shropshire 

 fleeces brought io.?d. per lb., and the pieces Qd. per lb., whilst the highest 

 of the other wool was iid. per Ih. (for a small (luantity), the hulk .selling 

 for io"?(l. 



