436 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of our society should at least bo held, and as many more as those interested think 

 best. At this ineetins a procjjranune of exorcises should be arran<?od (or the next, 

 and persons bo chosen to prepare such papers as the profi;ranimo calls for, and I would 

 reconiniond that a committee of three or more be selected to perform such duty. 

 of exercises by two or three officers is a difficult task to perform satisfactorily. If 

 This selecting a time and place of holding our meeting and arranging a programme 

 necessary, I would recommend that the rules be so amended that the time and place 

 of holding the next meeting be fixed now. I think some expression in the form of a 

 resolution should be discussed and prepared at this meeting relative to washing: 

 sheep before shearing. Tlie manner in which samples of wool should be arranged 

 for exhibition at our fairs ought to be stated, so that there may be a similarity in 

 the arrangements made by the diflerent exhibitors. This is a matter of importance 

 and deserves attention. The election of your officers should be by ballot, as every 

 voter has a better chance to express his choice of candidates than by a viva voce vote. 

 Some steps should be taken to have a report of our meetings and deliberations pu-b- 

 lished in the stock journals of the country. 



Gentlemen of this Association, I heartily thank you for the honor you have be- 

 stowed on me in twice electing me your president. I have endeavored to discharge 

 my duties as I understood them. 1 thank you for your generous support and good 

 will. 



This address was followed by a paper from E. W. Ilardy, of Oceola, Liv- 

 ingston county, on the keeping of breeding ewes, from which we condense the 

 following: 



One of the most practical and important subjects that could come before a 

 meeting such as this one, is the care and management of breeding ewes. Com- 

 .mencing with the summer months, the ewes at this time are suckling lambs, 

 and they should be kept in small flocks, perhaps from 30 to 50 in a flock, with 

 plenty of range and good pasture including a variety of grasses. 



Would not favor a too rank growth as the stability of the grass is lessened. 



On a pasture for sheep, should avoid sowing plaster as much as possible. 



Particularly at this time of the year water is indispensable for young and 

 old; also salt is very essential. One should see his flock often. Was not in 

 favor of housing through the summer. It is detrimental to the ewe. They 

 are more liable to the disease. 



Wean the lambs the latter part of August, or the first of September, putting 

 the ewes on short feed to stop the flow of milk, also milking them occasion- 

 ally. Out of a flock of 150 have never been troubled with sore or broken bags. 



We keep the ewes in moderate flesh until breeding time, as they are surer of 

 breeding than when too fleshy. 



At breeding time the ewes should be thriving and gaining. Give a little- 

 grain if necessary. 



Tagging is very essential, both spring and fall. Keep record of breeding 

 and time of lambing. 



Stock rams should suit the flock. Get the ram which will make the great- 

 est improvement, and not let $5 or $20 on the price of a good ram overbalance 

 your better judgment. More breeders have made decided blunders in the use 

 of inferior stock animals, because they could save a few dollars, than there 

 ever has been through ignorance. Breed only to superior sizes. It is better 

 that a ewe be not bred at all than to a ram inferior to herself. Michigan 

 breeders are making mistakes in this. 



Ewes should be kept in a flock by themselves according to age and strength. 

 Ewes should have plenty of exercise. They should be driven 80 rods and fed 

 straw and cornstalks. For grain, I prefer oats and bran, or barley, oats and 

 bran. Do not like corn; it should be mixed with other grain, and grain 

 should be fed twice a day. 



