State Agricultural Society. 143 



generally conceded to be as palatable, nutritious, and health giving as 

 beef or any other meat. While beef is often forced upon the market in 

 a condition hardly fit for consumption, good wholesome mutton is always 

 obtainable at a lower figure. 



The value of the wool clip in this State is an item worthy of high con- 

 sideration. It is better than mines of gold, which simply represent 

 values. It is a product that builds up factories, encourages home 

 industry, and clothes the people substantially. 



Although wool is one of our most valuable exports, it is but natural 

 to predict that we will soon make it up into clothing for ourselves and 

 the world, instead of selling our wool and buying our clothing. In a 

 practical and economic light, clothing made from our fresh clipped 

 fleece is worth one hundred per cent more than the seadieated imported 

 materials. 



Home industry receives a direct encouragement from sheep raising 

 that is yielded by no other class of stock, and as the breeds are improved 

 farmers with a few acres will find it convenient and profitable to keep 

 a few choice sheep. The introduction and encouragement of large, 

 superior wool and mutton sheep will do aw T ay with the prevailing notion 

 that thousands of acres of wild lands are necessary to profitable sheep 

 raising. 



As sheep are cheaply and easily kept, are more profitable, are of greater 

 material value — including meat, wool, and industrial encouragement to 

 this State — than any other stock, I see every reason why the gold medal 

 should be awarded to sheep. The profits of horse raising, aside from 

 horse racing, etc. — which is of very questionable importance — are quite 

 small. More might be said in favor of cattle. But of the great and 

 growing importance of sheep there can be no question. 



My claims consist in the fact that I have exhibited the best specimens 

 of the best variety of sheep — the Cotswolds — all of pure breed. These 

 sixty-two sheep I have imported directly from Gloucestershire, England, 

 the native country and home of this breed of sheep. These were selected 

 and purchased of Mr. W. Lane, one of the most distinguished sheep 

 breeders in England; and I confidently assert that no finer breed of sheep 

 were ever brought to the United States. For size of carcass, excellence 

 of wool, purity of breed and general excellence I assert they have no 

 superiors. 



Late prizes in Englaud. — Among the twenty-two bucks and forty ewes 

 shown by me at this Fair in Sacramento are four ewes, four years old, 

 that took a first prize at the Lynncester cattle show last May; also 

 one buck, " Lord Bath well," took the first prize at the same show. I 

 claim that there is not one ordinary or inferior sheep in the whole col- 

 lection which I exhibit, and that no man can make, or has made a better 

 showing of pure blooded Cots wold sheep in this country. 



Habits of the Cotswolds. — They are strong and hardy and easily do- 

 mesticated, making the best of mothers. They are quiet, not given to 

 wild roving, but will be content on sparse pasturage; but they are full 

 eaters and upon good feed will fatten quickly; they will thrive where 

 restless sheep will grow poor. 



The Cotswold wool is a long staple, the most valued by our manufac- 

 tures — being easily combed and worked, lustrous, and best for staple 

 goods. It brings the highest price in market, and the sheep yield quite 

 as much again to the yearly fleece as the same number of Merinos. 

 The Cotswolds are taking the place of Merinos as fast as they are 

 brought in direct comparison and competition. The Cotswolds are the 



