131 



cessity of having shelter for their stock, and when they shall 

 be stabled, the value of the manure w^ill reduce the cost of 

 wintering. Cattle at two years old, sell from ten to twelve 

 dollars ; cows in the spring from ten to eighteen dollars, and 

 in the fall from eight to fifteen dollars. 



6. Sheep and Wooii. — The remarks I have made of our 

 cattle, apply to our sheep. Mr. Owens introduced the Me- 



irino, but his own flocks degenerated from breeding in and 

 in, whilst others, with much benefit, crossed their flocks of 

 common sheep by rams from his flocks. The general quahty 

 of the wool is much advanced, but we have no pure blooded 

 animals from which to procure bucks. The price of wool 

 generally, is twenty-five cents, and for the best qualities 

 thirty cents. The last ought to be considerably higher, but 

 owing to the limited quantity produced, buyers of the finer 

 sorts do not come into the county. I cannot state the cost 

 of raising sheep, but they are regarded as profitable stock. 

 'Flocks are small ; no one turning his entire attention to sheep 

 raising. 



7. Horses. — It is doubtful whether our county has made 

 any progress in raising this kind of stock. Still, many fine 

 animals are raised ; but these, both horses and mares, are bought 

 up for the Kentucky and more southern markets, and hence, 

 the reason of our not having made a better advance towards 



. establishing improved breeds. But the stallions have deteri- 

 orated — many of them are worthless. In nothing can our 

 society exert a more beneficial influence, than by a combined 



1 patronage, at remunerating prices, induce owners of good 

 stallions to come amongst us. A stallion of the draft stock 

 has, for the first time, been brought into the county this fall. 



; Prices of horses are now very high. 



8. Hogs. — The breeds of hogs are mixed crosses of the 

 Russian, China, Berkshire, Byefield and Grazier. The pure 



'Russian cannot be brought into market soon enough. The 

 China is too short legged to travel, (our markets being usu- 

 ally on the Ohio river,) and the Berkshire does not fatten 



