WOOL GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. 437 



Mr. J. N. Smith, from the Committee on Order of Business, then read the 

 following report: 



After the President's address, there shall be appointed the following committees: 

 1. On Resolutions. 2. On Finance. 3. On Premium List for consideration by State 

 Ajrrii'ultnral Society. 4. On Slieep Shearing and State Sheep Show. 5. On Registry 

 of Thorouglibred Sheep. 



Discussions are to he limited to ten-minute speeches. After the reading of papers 

 and essays, there shall be fifteen minutes allowed for questions and remarks on each, 

 unless general consent be given to extend the time. 



It is hereby recommended that the following-named gentlemen be placed on the 

 prograintne: E. Townsend of Pavilion Center, N". Y., on Breeding Ewes; D. Hub- 

 bard of Marshall, on Bhicl<-faced Sheep; A. F. Wood of Mason, on the adaptation of 

 long-wooled sheep to the mixed husbandry of Michigan. 



The report was adopted. 



The (lucstion being asked as to the relations of this organization with the 

 National Wool-growers' Association, Mr. Townsend explained that there were 

 no binding obligations between the two. The National Association had spent 

 considerable money fighting the bill relative to duty on wool, and had made 

 assessments upon the State associations for that purpose. Vermont had 

 paid its assessment of §100, but Michigan had not responded for a like amount 

 because the assessment was made before the State association was organized. 

 The question was discussed briefly, but no action was taken. 



The secretary then read the following letter from W. G. Markham of Avon, 

 N. Y., on the Registration of Sheep and its Uses: 



Avon, X. Y., December 16, 1S7S. 

 C. A. Miller, Esq., Vice President Michigan State Sheep Breeders'' Association: 



My Dear Sir, — T very much regret my inability to be present at your annual meet- 

 ing to be liold at Marshall, Dec. 18th, to participate in tlie deliberations of your associ- 

 ation, and particularl}' to discuss tiie registration of sheep, as j^ou requested. As I 

 can't be with you I will write some thoughts that occur to me in connection with your 

 discussions. The value of such gatherings by our sheep and wool men cannot be over- 

 estimated. Improved sheep-husbandry isascience, far deeper thanisgenerall}' regard- 

 ed. Among our domestic animals no other has so great a number of tine points as the 

 Merino slieep. They liave not only the essential qualifications of constitution, form, 

 and style which are characteristic of horses and cattle, but have also their covering into 

 which enter an almost endless variety of wools as regards both quality and length of 

 staple. I sometime since wrote to Mr. Geo. Wm. Bond, of Boston, regarding the 

 classification of sheep at our fairs. Mr. Bond is well known as one of the most emi- 

 nent experts in the country in matters of wool fiber. In his reply he says: 



"Not only is there the great variety of merino wools as to fineness, length, yolk, 

 etc.. to which you refer, but also a difference even to be found in the wools of any two 

 places, owing to the climate, feed, etc; differences so subtle as to be hard to define, 

 but sufficient often to make a wool utterly unfit for the manufacture of goods of cer- 

 tain descriptions, though it may bear so close a resemblance in appearance to that 

 which is used as to make one unfamiliar with the manufacture consider it a mere 

 whim that a distinction should be made between them." 



Again, referring to our classification. Class 2, bred for fineness of fleece-quality 

 adapted to the manufacture of broadcloths and similar fabrics, he says: 



"1 am sorry to say that to this day no such wool has been grown in this countrj^as 

 no section has been found adapted to its growth. I mean wool suitable for broad- 

 cloth. Much beautiful wool has been found adapted for fancy cassimere, flannels, and 

 even doeskins, but none that will give a finished face to compare with those raised in 

 Germany, .South America, Cape of Good Hope and some parts of Australia. This 

 class, however, leaving out the adaptation referred to, is of tiie greatest importance." 



I refer to Mr. Bond to show the fine points to be looked after in fleece alone. 



No other of our domestic animals are so plastic or are so readily moulded by the 

 breeders us the slieep, but the laws whicii govern their modification are most intri- 

 cate and mysterious. It is very clear that success in breeding our improved Merinos 

 requires a high degree of intelligence and an earnest devotion to the business. 



It is evident to all who are familiar with the first principles of breeding, that it is 



