720 Jounial of Agriculture. Victoria. [13 Dec, 19J'.>. 



Some of the flocks had apparently been bred up by retaining the 

 progeny of cross-breds mated to Lincoln rams, and then once more 

 introducing Lincoln blood. The wool, of course, had deteriorated, but 

 the lambs were good. 



It is variously estimated that the average Mallee block, when 

 cleared up, will carry from 100 to 150 sheep, allowing for 250 acres of 

 crop and 180 to 200 acres of fallow. Probably if the sheep are lambed 

 down, and carried well, the lower figure will be nearer the mark. 



One competitor has carried an average of 150 sheep for the past 

 four years, during which time he has cropped an average of 260 acres, 

 and maintained 130 acre^s of fallow. Last year his returns from sheep 

 were £200 gross. This year the paddocks have been eaten bare already, 

 but the sheep could be very profitably utilized in eating off poor crops of 

 oats and wheat. In so doing, it is important to subdivide the paddocks 

 with temporary fences and clean up each in turn. 



Another competitor maintains about 100 ewes. In 1918, 88 dry 

 ewes yielded 1,056 lbs. of wool, valued at £66; 100 ewes last year pro- 

 duced 1,060 lbs. of wool, valued at £57. This year they average 11 lb. 

 of wool the head. Fifty lambs were sold on the 1st of August for 

 22s. 6d. ; they averaged 40 lbs., dressed weight, at 14-15 weeks. 



The ewes were mostly three-quarter bred Lincolns, which accounts 

 for the low price of the wool. 



Messrs. Giles, Hunt, Barratt, and Yallance alone of the competitors 

 possessed sheep. Those of Mr. Giles were a line of fairly large-framed, 

 superior woolled sheep, in good condition. Mr. Hunt's sheep were a 

 mixed lot ; the lambs were mostly prime. Messrs. Vallance and 

 Barratt both had three-quarter bred Lincoln ewes. Mr. Vallance is 

 now mating Ideal rams with his ewes. Mr. Barratt's were not in good 

 condition. 



Other Live Stock. 



Owing to the quantity of rough feed and the absence of sheep- 

 proof fences, most Mallee farmers keep cows instead of sheep during 

 the first four or five years of occupation. They bring in steady returns 

 from week to week, and it is surprising to see the cream that goes away 

 from Mallee stations during the winter and spring. Five or six milk- 

 ing cows are usually kept. They will milk for nine or ten months, 

 averaging, perhaps, £2 per \veek per herd for half that period. Often 

 there is an abundance of feed on which young cattle may be profitably 

 fattened. 



The type of cow for the Mallee farmer is undoubtedly the dual 

 purpose animal, that can be fattened if necessary, and whose offspring 

 possess good frames. 



Mr. Lang usually has from twenty to thirty-five head of cattle. 

 He milks two cows, and lets several suckle their calves. He also buys 

 other young stuff. An average of £100 a year clear profit can be made 

 in this way. Mr. Hunt also had a number of good beef sorts. 



A pig or two, and generally half a hundred fowls can be profitably 

 utilized on every Mallee farm. 



LAND NOT UNDER CULTIVATION. 



Most of the competitors had the land well cleaned up and 

 " snagged." On some blocks the feed was scanty. Mr. Hunt's paddocks 

 deserve special mention, as in addition to there being fair grass, no 



