CHAPTER XIX. 

 THE LINCOLN - ROMNEY CROSS. 



Variety of country calls for variety of breeds of 

 sheep, just as varieties of sheep call for varieties of 

 country. The breeds suited to the hot plains of Austra- 

 lia or the Urals of Russia are not what are called for on 

 the average New Zealand country. This difference in 

 sheep conditions is well exemplified in the singular 

 popularity of the Lincoln-Romney cross in the North 

 Island of the Dominion. The cross, which is probably 

 unknown elsewhere in the world, has come into vogue 

 as the result of experience, observation, and practical 

 trials. Special conditions call for it, and the stock 

 farmer's aim is to take the most profitable advantage of 

 such conditions by selecting the most suitable sort of 

 animal. 



The type of country covered by the cross is fairly 

 diffuse with respect to climate, which is generally moist, 

 and the appearance of the land is from flat to high, and 

 in some places fairly rough. A grea.t part of it is fallen 

 bush land, log strewn, which has been sown down in 

 English grasses. The general appearance and feed capa- 

 city of the country suggest it as a lodging place for a 

 rather large type of animal, active and hardy. The 

 Lincoln-cuin-Romney supplies this, and the abundant 

 feed of English grasses, seldom under two sheep to the 

 acre, and a necessity for such an animal, is there. 



The Lincoln itself is out of the question for such 

 conditions. As a lamb and hogget it is not generally 

 robust, and the fleece in such country is a big encum- 

 brance. The Lincoln would come to the shearing board 

 in a poor condition, weighed down with a profusion of 

 exhausting matted wool in unsuitable surroundings. 



