162 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



I subjoin a few statements obtained of some of the best flocks 

 of Somerset county. By more inquiry I might have obtained a 

 higher average : Of fifteen flocks I find the following average, 

 of washed wool where wool is mentionod : average number in 

 flock, 147; average weight of fleece, 6 16-100 lbs; average in- 

 crease per 100, 28 ; average cost of wintering, (estimated,) $1.58 ; 

 average cost of pasturing, (estimated,) 43c. These flocks in- 

 cluded all ages and sexes, of Spanish Merino and high grades. 

 In some flocks of the coarser-wooled varieties not figured in the 

 above, I find a larger rate of increase and less weight of fleece, 

 making the average sales about equal. 



The great gain from sheep must be attained by close attention 

 to the farm, and by restoring to the soil everything taken from it. 

 Grain and roots should be raised with which to fatten, and in 

 many places the sheep can be yarded and fed on the ground 

 intended for crops the following year with excellent results. This 

 is especially recommended by the English farmers as preparatory 

 to a crop of wheat. It has been noticed in the old countries that 

 the increase in the product of wheat has kept step with the in- 

 crease of sheep. 



Only when we cease importing corn, flour and pork, and depend 

 upon our own resources for the staple products, will the farmers 

 of Maine cease complaining of hard times. If the food consumed 

 by inferior cattle and useless horses was fed to sheep, how difl'er- 

 ent would be the result in the two-fold blessing of wool and mut- 

 ton ; and of greater independence to the farmer I 



Discussion of the Above Subject. 



Mr. Lee of Foxcroft. There is one point in sheep husbandry I 

 wish to mention, and that is the washing and shearing of sheep. 

 Formerly I washed and sheared the first of June, but I have 

 changed my method and now shear in the last of April before my 

 sheep leave the barn. Then they become acclimated before they 

 are turned to pasture, and do not sufier at all from the removal of 

 the fleece. With us they make a quarter discount in the price 

 when the wool is unwashed, and I am satisfied that making that 

 deduction my wool brings me more money. Last spring I sold 

 the next day after shearing for 27 cents. The farmers of Piscata- 

 quis county are generally adopting this method, and I hope it will 

 be adopted by the farmers of the State. It is an outrage on sheep 



