34 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



an important adjunct to hay for winter forage, and as contributing 

 to the health, thrift and profit of stock, and to the manure heap, no 

 doubts were expressed, and the following resolution was adopted 

 unanimously : 



Resolved, That the Board of Agriculture recommend to the farmers of IMainc 

 largely to increase the production of roots, especially the carrot, the mangold 

 and the turnip, as a means of ^Anntcring stock, regard being had to the soil 

 and other conditions best adapted to the successful culture ol' each kind. 



Mr. Jewett presented the following report on the 

 Breeds and Management of Sheep. 



The Board in giving out subjects last year allotted me one of as great and 

 perhaps of greater importance than any other. I feel that I cannot do justice 

 to it. 



Sheep husbandry will be profitable or not, in proportion to the skill with 

 which selections are made, and the judicious care bestowed. It is well known 

 that a large share of the land in Maine is better adapted to sheep, and a large 

 proportion of the fodder obtained pays Isetter returns when fed to sheep tlian 

 to other stock. Even at the lo'v price which wool has borne for some years 

 past it could be gi'own at a profit, and more profit would be realized if better 

 breeds were obtained. 



I do not propose to go into statistics, as these have often been alluded to 

 belbre the Board, but ratlier to present such facts and observations as have 

 come under my notice. First, as to the most profitable breed. Wool and 

 mutton should both be considered, as neither alone will give satisfactory re- 

 turns. My experience leads me io prefer a cross of the improved South Down. 

 Procure a pure bred buck of this breed, and cross him with large, well formed 

 ewes. Grades of the Cotswold and Leicester are Avell adapted for this purpose. 

 These are of large size, heavy fleece, rather coarse, long wool, have a good flow 

 of milk, rear their lambs well, and endure the cold better than most other 

 kinds as lai'ge. 



I wish to give no offence, but I must be allowed to say that proper food and 

 care arc always necessary. If nature is expected to do all, and the man lie in 

 the shade in summer, and sit by tlie fire in winter, and let liis animals suffer 

 from neglect, you may as well begin with scrubs, for the best in the land will 

 soon be nothing but scrubs after all with such neglect. 



I have a pure bred South Down buck from Thorn's flock, New York. Mr. 

 Thorn obtained his stock of Jonas Webb, England. lie endures our climate 

 better than any other I have ever had. The half bred lambs out of large ewes 

 are superior, both for wool and mutton. They are thick through the shoul- 

 ders and thighs, broad across the back, and completely wooled on the l)elly 

 and legs ; no coarse wool al:)out them. They yield a large fleece, and tlie meat 

 is of very superior flavor, sweet and juicy, well mixed with fat, and the very 

 best kind of mutton. Farmers wlio will start a fluck in tins way will be well 

 paid, even if the cost is large at first. Tlie return will I)e three-fold, in wool 

 and lambs and quality of meat, together witli a Ba\ing of expense in keeping. 

 la not this worth looking after? 



Manncjrment. This is viewed very difierently by different persons. Some 

 contend tiiat sheep should not be housed at all, nor watered, and that exposure 

 to cold and storms make tliem hearty and rugged. Such men labor under a 

 great mistake. My experience is that tliey will do better with shelter. They 

 sliould have a good warm shed or barn wliere tin y can go botli in wet and in 

 very cold weather. Sheep will not drink much water at a time, but they will 

 drink oftener than any other stock if they can liave easy access to it, and they 

 look better and are better in all respects than those which get no water. 



Good and suitable racks should be provided. I am perfectly satisfied that 



