MICHIGAN STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 333 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SHEEP. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agri- 

 cultural Society-: 



Gentlemen — The exhibition of sheep at the fair held in Pontiac last 

 September was an exceptionally good one. The different breeds repre- 

 sented were as follows: American Merino, Rambouillet, Delaine, Cots- 

 wold, Lincoln, Leicester, Shropshire, Hampshire, Oxford, Southdown and 

 fat sheep. 



The rule requiring sheep to be evenly and closely shorn, and a certifica- 

 tion of the time of shearing when making entries, was utterly ignored 

 so far as I could learn. It is my judgment that some date should be fixed 

 as a limit for shearing sheep to be shown at the State Fair. I would 

 suggest that no sheep should be shown that were sheared before the first 

 of March preceding the fair. 



There is no class of animals in which jockeying can be as successfully 

 pursued as in fitting sheep for show by stubble shearing, shearing to cover 

 defects, coloring fleece, etc. Too much care cannot be taken in the adop- 

 tion of rules to prevent the methods of deception mentioned. 



The space allotted for sheep was inadequate for the number shown, and 

 the horse barn in which the overflow was quartered was not a suitable 

 place in which to show sheep. Some fault was found by exhibitors who 

 were obliged to use the barn, but on the whole they submitted cheerfully 

 to the inconvenience. As long as two sets of premiums are offered large 

 numbers of sheep will be shown, and if possible they should be provided 

 for. 



The whole number of sheep shown was 746; much the largest number 

 ever shown at the State Fair. 



The entries in the several classes, amount offered and amount awarded 

 will be found in the report of the secretary. 



Respectful lv submitted, 



WILLIAM BALL, 

 Superintendent of Sheep. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SWINE. 



To the President and Members: 

 Gentlemen — I respectfully submit the following report: 

 The exhibit of swine at the fair of 1901 was in my judgment one of the 

 very best in quality as well as number ever made at the fair. There 

 were 550 head of the several breeds on the ground. The pens provided for 

 swine would accommodate but about one-half of the number and a large 

 number of exhibitors were compelled to exhibit in the horse barns. The 

 exhibitors were very considerate and good feeling prevailed. 



It is hoped that more room will be provided at the next fair. The tabula- 

 tion of entries and awards will be found in the report of the secretary. 



Verv respectfully, 



L. W. BARNES, 



Superintendent. 



