37<5 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[lo June, 1909. 



AltliiMigli carrying a Imlkj 

 fleece of medium grade wool, they 

 are not a breed that directs the 

 main porlion of what is eaten into 

 wool and yolk : consequently 

 they thrive quickly, and when 

 fattened, produce a very sappy 

 mutton, and sappiness, combined 

 with fine grain of flesh, means 

 quality. 



Good Roniney rams cross well 

 with roomy merino ewes, fine 

 comebacks, orfirst cross longwool- 

 merino ewes, especially the latter 

 — for the Romney is a breed that 

 compares closely in both carcase 

 and wool, to Lincoln-merino cross- 

 breds. With graziers depending 

 solely on good seasons and natural 

 pasture, lambs from this crofs, if 

 held over, will be found very 

 profitable woolcutters. 



There is at the present time 

 some discussion as to the correct 

 type for Romneys. Some breeders 

 are selecting and breeding from a 

 longer stapled and more showy 

 wool type than was thought neces- 

 sary by English breeders, and in 

 30 doing must run a jisk of not 

 being able to maintain the highest 

 standard of form . For th e Roinnev , 

 if selected and bred in this climate 

 to the longer stapled, and more 

 crimped character of wool, is 

 practically being bred back to 

 Avhat onr English breeders l)reil 

 partially away from — the English 

 Leicester type. Already we find 

 many pedigreed Romneys showing 

 the English Leicester style o!' 

 wo(d, having great length and 

 lustre. 



True Roiuney wool is niediiiin 

 in grade,and demi-lustre in coloiii'. 

 Waviness, or character as it is 

 usually called, is desirable in a 

 young well bred healthy sheep, 

 but with ewes rearing lambs, aged 

 ewes, and rams that have been 

 to heavy service, this wavy 

 character, or crimp, is rarelv 



