GENERAL REPORT OF THE JUDGES OF GROUP IX. 5 23,412 introduced; of which 18,086 were Merinos, 343 Leicesters, 4741 Lincolns, and 42 Downs. 7. Fencing.—It has proved advantageous to inclose flocks within fences on the following accounts: a. Improvement.—(1) In the health and soundness of the sheep; (2) in their size and stamina; (3) in the quantity and quality of wool; (4) in the carrying capability of the holding, b. Saving.—(1) In expense of management; (2) in the losses arising from shepherding, especially from bad shepherds, c. Advan tages to Owner.—It relieves him from the trouble of managing shep herds and hut-keepers, and allows him time to attend to the improve ment of the breed of his sheep, d. General Benefit.—This is stated by owners to be an increase of the value of a run of from 20 to 60 per cent. 8. Lambing.—The general average of shepherded flocks was 72^ per cent.; of paddocked sheep 75 per cent.; and of sheep depastured both ways 74% per cent. 9. Clip.—The yield of wool per sheep, in 1874, was as follows: Greasy. lbs. ozs. The average clip of greasy wool in shepherded sheep was 4 3A << << << paddocked sheep was . 4 *5 A it it it both ....... 4 IO A Creek-washed. The average clip of shepnerded sheep was . 2 12 A it it tt paddocked ...... 3 4A it it tt both ....... 2 12 A Hot-water-washed. The average clip of shepherded sheep was .... 2 C 2 °T<7 tt n tt paddocked ...... 3 2 tt tt tt both ....... 2 11 A Scoured. The average clip of shepherded sheep was .... 2 ry 2 tt tt tt paddocked ...... 2 8 tt tt tt both ....... 2 10 10. Difference in Weight between Combing and Clothing.—On this point 1238 owners give no information, 75 “cannot say,” 4 report that there is no difference, 32 that there is a slight difference in favor of combing; 4 put the difference at 8 ounces, 2 at 12 ounces, 1 at 16 ounces, 4 more at more than 16 ounces, and 6 state that combing is the more profitable. The important facts presented by this statement are, that more than half the sheep produce combing wool; the respective weights of the