FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 125 



freeze. To prevent the roots of trees from getting into and obstructing drain s 

 in orchards colhirs should be put over the joints. 



Hon. Chas. Andrews of Armada read a short but excellent paper on 



SHEEP, 



in which he claimed that they were among the most profitable stock a farmer 

 could keep. Besides tlie direct cash return from wool and increase, much 

 advantage was derived from them in keeping down brush and weeds, which. 

 they did in feeding. There never was a time when fine wooled sheep were 

 more in demand than now. The careful breeder can find a ready market at 

 remunerative prices. He believed it was more profitable to keep comparatively 

 small flocks, and had a decided preference for the fine-wooled variety. 



DISCUSSIOK". 



K. F. Johnstone thought all breeds of sheep were profitable to Michigan. 

 The farmers of this State, by habit, were partial to fine-wooled sheep. The 

 time might come when long-wooled and good mutton sheep would be more 

 desirable here than at present. Long-wooled sheep could not be profitably 

 raised in this climate without the use of the turnip. Therefore, to introduce 

 different breeds into general use in Michigan would require a change in culture, 

 or rather in crops. The fed sheep in Michigan brought rather a better price 

 in New York than any other. 



L. Parmalee, of Armada, believed the grade sheep were the most profitable 

 for the farmers of this section. 



Mr. Flagler, of Richmond, in view of the prices now current, sheep against 

 sheep, believed the fine-wooled sheep the most profitable. 



Mr. Reed, of Bruce, thought any breed of sheep could be made profitable, 

 but gave his preference to the fine-wooled breeds. 



Mr. Bentley believed that the ordinary breeds of sheep — those without a 

 "record in the herd books" — were as profitable as any. 



Geo. W. Phillips, President of the Michigan State Agricultural Society, said 

 his experience prepossessed him in favor of fine-wooled sheep. Their wool was 

 most in favor with manufacturers. 



Mr. Norton, of Oakland county, also expressed a strong preference for fine- 

 wooled sheep as the most profitable. 



R. G-. Baird believed something of a change was now taking place in regard 

 to choice of varieties. In the large ranches of the west wool could be pro- 

 duced cheaper in proportion than here, but such was not the case with mutton. 

 The coarser grade sheep could not be so successfully raised in large flocks. 

 There was a growing demand for the mutton sheep, and the demand would be 

 supplied. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



R. Jennings, V. S., of Detroit, gave an excellent lecture on the diseases of 

 the horses' feet and limbs, with many valuable suggestions in regard to treat- 

 ment. The lecture was full and minute, and illustrated by many specimens of 

 sound and diseased hock and other joints. Dr. Jennings declared against the 

 use of clips on shoes, and showed by hoofs and bones that in the course of time 



