Dec. 1896.] FOREIGN AND COLONIAL OFFICE KEPORTS. 



311 



FOREIGN AND COLONIAL OFFICE REPORTS. 



Sheep in the Falkland Islands. 



The last report published by the Colonial Office relating to 

 the Falkland Islands contains interesting information regarding 

 the sheep industry of the colony during the year ending 31st 

 March 1896. 



The number of sheep in the colony in March, 1896, amounted 

 to 791,442, consisting of 314,216 rams and 477,226 ewes. 

 The sheep are, generally speaking, a mixed cross breed, and have 

 the appearance of having originally come from merino stock. 

 Only in the case of a few stud rams is any puritv found. The 

 lambing during the year shows an average of 65 per cent., which is 

 considered good when the severe weather in the spring is taken 

 into account. There is one recognized stud flock from which 

 several farmers secure their flock rams. During the year, 27 

 Lincoln and five Cheviot rams were imported from England, and 

 were divided amongst farm owners. The farmers are advised 

 to import more pure blood, and establish some better foundation 

 in their flocks. The clip was estimated at about half a pound 

 per sheep better than last year, and this is considered most 

 satisfactory. 



With the exception of scab there is practically no animal 

 disease in the Colony, and this is fast disappearing, for, since 

 the introduction of the Scab Ordinance, farmers pay stricter 

 attention to gathering and dipping their sheep. Tetanus and 

 scrofula are met with occasionally, but the health of flocks is 

 generally good. 



Dipping is a matter which occupies the serious attention of 

 the inspectors. In many cases the dipping-baths are too short, 

 and the sheep are plunged in and out without being allowed to 

 remain a sufficient time in the mixture. Occasionally, too, the 

 •dip is blamed for nom efficiency, whereas better results would be 

 obtained if more attention were paid to the proper mixing of the 

 dip, and to keeping the sheep in the bath for a sufficient time. 

 This does not, however, apply to all farmers, especially those on 

 the West Falklands, who have no scab among their flocks. 



The number of carcases of frozen mutton exported in 1895 

 was, roughly, 19,000, but there was no prospect of any being 

 exported this year. The development of this industry is being 

 fostered, and it is to be hoped that next year will see considerable 

 activity in this direction, as the Colony, it is said, should be 

 exporting from 50,000 to 70,000 carcases annually. Government 

 inspection and a system of grading would give security to 

 consumers without incurring any great expense to the producer. 



The chief inspector of stock sees no reason why shipment of 

 live sheep should not be made from the Colony. " Thousands of 



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