SHEEP UNITED STATES, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA. • 15 



to that which gives the high values to Australian sheep. The ex- 

 treme Australian prices are paid by breeders of stud sheep and are 

 rendered possible by the patronage of a large number of owners of 

 large commercial flocks who know that $500 or $1,000 invested in an 

 exceptional ram is more than returned in the fleece values of the great 

 number of sheep tracing descent to such a ram in a few years. Not 

 only this, but improved breeding qualities of the ewes, aside from 

 their wool yield, are highly appraised, because the owner is reason- 

 ably certain to continue in the business, market his product in a way 

 to secure its maximum value, and control enough money for invest- 

 ments in connection with his business. 



The type and character of sheep in many of the prominent stud 

 flocks is so well known and the confidence in the breeders is such that 

 a large proportion of the sales of rams for flock use and some sales of 

 stud rams are made without examination by the buyer. Some time 

 before the ram-selling season breeders of rams class their offerings 

 according to quality. Earns worth $20, $30, or $40 are drafted into 

 corresponding lots. Higher-priced rams are sold singly or upon 

 examination at home or at public sales. Buyers of the classed flock 

 rams state what price they wish to pay, and the number required is 

 drawn from the lot of the price named. In some studs an outside 

 expert is employed to class the rams to be sold. Such a classer may 

 also divide the breeding ewes into uniform lots, for which the owner 

 selects suitable rams. 



MUTTON BREEDS. 



The use and popularity of the mutton breeds in Australia is on 

 the increase, owing to increasing demands of the meat trade and of 

 farmers who buy sheep to fatten for the market. The president of 

 the New South Wales Sheep Breeders' Association stated last year 

 that in 10 or 15 years more than half the sheep of that State will be 

 crossbreds. The term " crossbreds," as used in Australia, includes 

 all sheep other than Merinos or those carrying a preponderance of 

 Merino blood. 



Ob account of the greater length and weight of wool and greater 

 body weights when grown out, the long wools are used most for 

 crossing by those who expect to keep the crossbred lambs until shorn. 

 The Lincoln, Border Leicester, English Leicester, and Romney 

 Marsh are ;ill in demand. The Cotswold is little known. The down 

 breeds are favored most by those who market their lambs before they 

 are a year old, and of these breeds only the Shropshires and South- 

 'lowns can be said to be widely known. 



The Corriedale is gaining ground in Australia. An organization 

 of breeders of Corriedales was effected at Sydney in L914, and pro- 

 visions made for founding a Sock hook. Sixty-seven stud and flock 



