lo Feb., 1909.] Export of Best Ewe Lambs. 93 



2-oz. doses of laudanum may be tried, supplemented by i-oz. doses of a 

 5 per cent, solution of cyllin, or other non-irritating disinfectant. 



As a suggested preventive, two or three drenches of cyllin solution 

 (two to four drams of cyllin to one or two quarts of water) may be given 

 to all cattle which have been exposed to infection and may have the effect 

 of checking an outbreak. 



Inoculation has been tried in Italy with satisfactory results, but the 

 virus needs to be attenuated. Carcases of all animals which die should 

 l;)e burned thoroughly and the disinfection measures which are usually 

 imposed in respect of contagious diseases carried out as far as possible. 



EXPORT OF BEST EWE LAMBS. 



H . W . Ham, Sheep Expert. 



By best ewe lambs it is not to be understood that they are the best 

 from an exporter's point of view, but the test from that of the lamb- 

 raiser and the wool-grower, for many lambs suitable to the exporter would 

 be almost useless to the grazier for future profitable work. 



During the rush of the past season we have witnessed a condition of 

 things that all good sheep men regret to see, that is, the good sorts of 

 bulky-fleeced ewe lambs of the white-faced breeds principally that have 

 been sent to the freezing works. Many of them towards the end of the 

 season were far from being even good quality lamb when dressed, to say 

 nothing of being prime. This want of condition is caused in most cases by 

 being kept too long into the dry weather, and in other instances by 

 negligent feeding. 



There is no regret to be expressed over the fine-woolled sorts, for 

 plenty of useful merino ewes will always be available at very reasonable 

 prices for general purpose lamb-raising and cross-breeding. Badly-bred 

 line-wool lambs are better out of the country at any price. 



It is the first and second cross ewes^ — in other and more correct words, 

 half-breds and three-quarter-breds — that produce our quality lambs, and 

 in the quickest time too, no matter to what breed of ram they may be 

 joined, so long as the ram is shapely and thick fleshed. Generally speak- 

 ing there can be nothing gained in the end by selling these bulky-fleeced 

 thick- set ewe lambs at under los. If grazing room can be found for 

 them they will pay better to hold. 



This class will always compare favorably with others in wool return 

 per head. Held as a store sheep for another year this lamb in ordinary 

 seasons will increase in value to the extent of 5s. to ys. Adding this 

 and the two fleece values together (for the lambs if held would be shorn), 

 there is then as much profit as in raising another lamb. Apart though 

 from this, farmers know how difficult it is to buy good sorts of ewes, 

 even when willing to pay extren:e prices for them. A breeder as a rule 

 cannot buy as good as he can breed on his own ground. A proportion of 

 these best-woolled roomv ewe lambs should be kept by all who have grazing 

 room for them. It is the good roomy ewes, when allowed plenty of the 

 right class of grass or fodder, that rear the special quality lambs. 



The prices that are taken each season when the rush from our northern 

 areas occurs should impress upon many farmers the advisability of breed- 

 ing only the very best crosses and classes, for then their ewe lambs will 

 always pay to keep for future use, if found necessary. 



