No. 112.] 151 



Where a few sheep only are kept, for the pleasant and legitimate 

 pride of ownership, for the supply of the family table, and for 

 such wool as is needed in a farmer's household, we regard the 

 South-downs as the best sheep. 



No other distinct breed has been offered to us in this class, but 

 under the title of " middle-wooled," we have, after reference to 

 the proper officers of the Society, included such cross-bred sheep 

 -as possessed wool neither coarse nor fine, long nor short. In no 

 case did we consider any such sheep were entitled to precedence 

 over the South-downs. In some cases they were superior in wool, 

 butthis superiority was more than counter-balanced by inferiority 

 in form. These are in one sense "grade-sheep ;" and although the 

 -subject comes more strictly under the consideration of the com- 

 mittee on that kindred class, we would offer the suggestion as 

 arising from facts which fell under our own observation, that it 

 would be well to divide the classes of " grade sheep" into 

 ^coarse-wooled and fine-wooled, since it is most difficult to insti- 

 tute any fair comparison between sheep differing so widely in all 

 respects, as those now competing under the class of "grades." 



There were few sheep offered for competition as " middle- 

 wooled," and in these cases, where the list of premiums was not 

 'Completed by us, either there was no competition, or we could not 

 deem the unsuccessful -competitors fully worthy of premiums. 



ROBERT HADFIELD, Bujj'alo. 



C. B. MEEK, Canandaigua. 



VALENTINE H. HALLECK. 



SAXONS. 



Your committee on Saxon sheep cannot refrain from expressing 

 their regret that so few of the Saxon wool growers in this State, 

 have manifested their interest in this class of sheep by represent- 

 ing their flocks at this fair. 



Samples from only four flocks were entered as competitors for 

 prizes. While they take j)leasure in awarding the premiums to 

 those presented for their examination, believing they were justly 

 entitled to them, they are also well convinced that a more exten- 

 sive competition would awaken attention to this truly valuable 

 class of sheep. 



