750 Journal of AgricuLiurc . [lo Dec, 1909. 



Regarding the best methods of feeding and fattening pigs, it would 

 appear from the i-esults contributed by the thirty practical farmers to the 

 Australamin recently, that most of the breeders place a high value on peas 

 and barley for fattening. Wheat is also praised by several. Pumpkins, 

 carrots, svigar beet, and mangolds have their advocates. Lucerne and rape 

 are recommended as pasture for stores and breeding sows. Several contribu- 

 tors contend that even pigs which are being fattened for market do better 

 and fatten on less food when they have the run of some good pasture. Skim 

 milk is also of prime importance in raising young pigs, and also in fattening. 



"DEAD PATCH" IN MERINO SHEEP. 



H. IF. Ham, Sheep Expert. 

 " Dead Patch '" is a fault on the top of the shoulder. It is found 

 principally in merino sheep possessing a disposition to secrete yolk in 

 excess, but this excess is not the cause. 



Any unevenness of fleece can be traced to une\enness of ground from 

 which the wool roots draw their nourishment. In merino sheep there 

 is a close relationship between lean flesh and wool. When there is an 

 excessive amount of fat between the lean flesh and the roots of the wool 

 the latter is not of the best value. Merino sheep are of necessity a lean 

 meat breed. On the other hand, good wool will not grow on hard bones. 

 — no more than an even yield of grain can be grown on stones. An 

 e\en fleshed sheep is necessary to produce an even fleece. 



The defect has come into prominence of late years to a greater extent than^ 

 formerly, principally on account of the hasty rush into any sheep as long 

 as they possessed wrinkles — all otlier good' merino qualities were over- 

 looked for a time. 



The cau.se of Dead Patch is found immediately o\er that portion 

 where the spinal column passes between the shoulder blades. It is always 

 worse in sheep possessing open, loose shoulder blades. This part, being, 

 practically the meeting place of four portions of bone from different 

 directions, is consequently hard to co\-er with flesh, and the defect shows 

 when it is the nature of this type of sheep lo secrete excessive yolk. 

 Apart from excessive yolk, wet winters must be considered, for rain has- 

 its ill-effects also; water lodges, and is retained longer in this class of 

 ill -formed shoulder. 



The skin in this particular patch will usuallv be found of a very dark 

 colour, while on parts where the wool is more attractive a health\ ])iiik 

 skin will be noticeable. The portion of the fleece that grows over this part 

 of the carcase opens hard, and contains a gummv substance varying in 

 colour from pale yellow to at times pink; it is really dead vol'k. Bv 

 many sheep men the droppings from gum trees in Ayet weather are held to 

 be the cause. Owing to the bone haying no flesh cnyering. this spot can- 

 not secrete healthy yolk to feed the wiki] in a proper wa\ , as in otlicr 

 parts of the same slice]). We rarelv find unhealthy wool over the loins 

 or about the upper i)arts of the hind quarters, the two most meatv por- 

 tions of a sheep. 



Sheep in good condition that show Dead Patch slightly, if shorn 

 closely and fed liberally immediately afterwards and kept so fed, can 

 be made to grow wool correctly o\er the affected portion. Good spring 

 feed and sunshine will ilo a great deal towards making this spot more 

 fleshy, and also assist in causing the yolk to come thrfiui:h in a healthv 



