S[IEEP HUSBANDRY. J65 



is comins: now, when mutton will be esteemed as an article of 

 food throughout the whole country, as it is now in California and 

 some parts of the West. I think mutton is most eaten with us in 

 February, March and April, the months when people seem to re- 

 quire a light diet, but I believe our people would find it through- 

 out the year more wholesome than beef. I believe the scientists 

 who have examined the subject, state that it is more easily 

 digested and that it is more easily assimilated by the system than 

 beef. 



Mr. Waterhouse of Fryeburg. I have kept 100 sheep, but now 

 have but 60. I think the greatest lack in keeping sheep in this 

 vicinity, is that the farmers do not feed them well enough. They 

 do not keep their pastures in a sufficiently good condition. A 

 good many people think that a sheep will live where nothing else 

 will, but I am satisfied that it is a mistake, and that if we want 

 to make a profit we must not only winter them well but must 

 summer them well. My sheep have averaged eight pounds ol 

 unwashed wool. I have been in the habit of shearing about the 

 first of June, but as the gentleman says, I don't know but it 

 would be better to shear earlier. A poor sheep well kept will 

 shear more than a good one poorly kept. I have been able to sell 

 my lambs for $5, when I have noticed that some were glad to get 

 $3. I kept them better, but I got enough better price to more 

 than pay the difference in the cost of keeping. 



