8 Jan., 1908.] Mating Rams and Eiues. 55 



is more valuable to him this way, than if mixed, for when he opens the 

 bale, each lot being separated by the hessian, the wool can be placed and 

 matched with other sorts bought similarly, and does not cost anything 

 for resorting. As stated before, keeping sorts separate can be done much 

 more cheaply at the outset than afterwards, when mixed and pressed or 

 bagged up. Howe\-er little of a different sort there may be. keep it 

 together, but never forget to mark on the outside of the bale exactly 

 where it is. 



In skirting there is no hard and fast rule as to how- much to take off, 

 neither in individual fleeces or in flocks. Burrs, thistles, coarse breeches, 

 neck folds, all have to be reckoned with ; and unevenness of covering in 

 many flocks also causes thin and locky skirts. All these things have an 

 influence on each fleece, but no more should be taken off than is really 

 necessars. An extra hand or tw'o at the w'ool table often saves tearing 

 oft good fleece wool with the fribbly pieces, especially on the arms and 

 necks. Manv owners make unnecessary work for piece pickers bv not 

 having enough hands at wool tables, and besides sustain a loss, not perhaps 

 per pound, but in total returns. 



Too much notice of how a neighbour does his wool is often misleading. 

 Given the same breeding of sheep and wool, and similar countrv, a little 

 over stocking at this time of year may cause a break in the staple and 

 shortage of growth. A neighbour may give more room, and have a superior 

 clip. Again, in the case of adjoining paddocks, one may be timbered and 

 another open ; the soil of one has a hard surface, and in another there 

 is a class of land that cuts up in summer, and therefore more dustv ; 

 some paddocks are not so bad for grass seed and burr as others ; whilst 

 stubble land will cause a dusty tip. These and many other matters have 

 more influence on price per pound than even the proper division of sorts ; 

 the latter gives a better total result. Farmers should aim at best return 

 per head and per acre, and have less sentiment as to price per pound. 



With regard to price per pound and total return, our brokers could 

 give greater satisfaction if farmers would assist by keeping their various 

 sorts separate and being always mindful of the many details connected 

 with wool grownng. 



MATING RAMS AND EWES. 



H. W . Ham, Sheep Expert. 



In most districts the month of January is about the time lamb-raisers 

 join the rams with ewes. In some of the later districts it is too earlv, as 

 the lambs come in June and July when the grass is not milkgiving, and 

 the grounu is wet and cold for the young lambs to lie about and rest. 

 The result is they do not thrive, and become poddy, and the time the 

 ewe lasts in duration of milk is wasted — the important point of making 

 the lamb the desired weight and quality during the four months the ewe's 

 milk is at its best, is lost. In the case of fodder crops, it is in the months 

 of September, October, and November that these are at their best. Lambs 

 should therefore be timed to come about July and August, as the ewes are 

 then in the best stage to give most milk and the lambs are beginning to eat 

 bv the time the crons are readv. 



