No. 105.] 89 



hardy as some others, it is made so by our treatment. As to the 

 other objections, we find that lightness of fleece can be obviated by 

 more careful breeding, without impairing materially the fineness of 

 the wool ; and we find this objection is wearing away, and more intel- 

 ligent treatment tends to produce this result ; lightness of carcase we 

 do not consider an objection, because it is more than made up in the 

 larger number of animals that we can feed upon the same pastures, 

 compared with the number of those that have a larger size. No man 

 will contend that upon a given number of acres you can keep as many 

 large Leicesters or Bakewells as you can small Saxons, and the same 

 rule must apply to the intermediate sizes. The committee would 

 not derogate from the good and valuable qualities of any variety of 

 sheep ; and whilst they consider that each several class has peculiar 

 and great merits, they will claim for the Saxons fineness of fleece and 

 softness of feel, two qualities they have not discovered in an equal 

 degree as yet in any other variety. It is, however, for the manufac- 

 turer to say how far this peculiar breed of sheep shall be encouraged, 

 by the better prices they pay for the wool. If they do not feel dis- 

 posed to pay pro rata for it, it will be the signal for the farmer to 

 fall back upon some coarser kind that pays better. All of which is 

 respectfully submitted. J. P. BEEKMAN, 



W. G. TILDEN, 

 J. M. ELLIS, 



Committee. 



SHEEP FROM OTHER STATES. 



The committee to whom was referred the flocks of sheep from sis- 

 ter States, beg leave to report that they have examsned the same, 

 and were much pleased to see so large a lot of fine sheep attracted 

 to the State of New- York, by means of her Agricultural Fair. 



These sheep are descendants of the sheep imported by Gen. Hum- 

 phrey, of Conn., and others. But though descendants, as to size of 

 carcase and excellence of points, they are vastly improved. Proba- 

 bly the same remark would not apply, with equal force, to the fine- 

 ness and quality of their wool. 



They possess great uniformity of fleece — are exceedingly well 

 covered with wool — and the wool is of excellent quality. In a word 

 the sheep are worthy the honorable notice of the society. 



The committee beg leave to express their decided approval of the 

 policy of encouraging our brother farmers of sister States in compe- 

 ting with us for the palm of merit. 



The agricultural community are deeply concerned in knowing accu- 

 rately what improvements are made in the breeds of sheep or cattle. 



The names of the proprietors are, J. H. Nettleton, J. N. Blakes- 

 ley, Nathaniel B. Smith, and Stephen Atwood, all of Litchfield Co., 

 Conn., and to each of whom the committee recommend that a diplo- 

 be awarded. 



After the committee had completed their labors, they were casu- 

 ally informed that a flock of sheep had arrived from Vermont. If 



