SHEEP SHEAEING FESTIVAL. 79 



In conclusion, the Committee of Judges take pleasure in 



stating, that in their opinion the Sheep exhibited, or entered for 



competition, were, as a whole, of very superior quality, and 



such as the farmers of the State, may multiply indefinitely to 



their profit. 



The Ewes, they are sorry to say, were not in all cases, washed 



as carefully, as is requisite to establish a high and leading char- 

 acter for our wool. All wool growers should be extremely 

 careful upon this point, as the general character of a State, in 

 reference to any such leading staple, is of the highest impor- 

 tance, in every permanent point of view; and especially as 

 bearing upon the final and continued profit of a business. 



The shearing, doing up and tying, was generally done with 

 despatch and skill, and reflected especial credit upon the more 

 adroit of the Shearers. 



STATEMENTS OF WOOL GEOWERS 



Competing at the Sheep Shearing Festival 



The accompanying statements of the prominent wool growers 

 of the State, are published at-length, notwithstanding they are 

 somewhat of a repetition of each other. But the object is to 

 establish by their uniform testimony, the fact that Sheep can be 

 kept at a large profit, even here in our northern latitude ; pro- 

 vided they are of the proper breeds, that grow fleeces of a good 

 quality and weight, and are properly taken care of. 



We are inclined to believe, that all the parties set the cost of 

 keeping Sheep per annum, to low, even for 1854. No allow- 

 ance appears to have been made for the labor and attention 

 necessary, nor for summer keeping and salt. But we are of 

 the opinion, that the manure and the usefulness of the Sheep 



