76 "WEST OXFORD SOCIETY. 



in the woods, or in other words, go where thej please, except in mj 

 fields. I consider this the best breed of sheep for mo. Tliej afford 

 a good grade of wool, are hard j, Avinter well on cheap food, are not 

 inclined to be mischievous in summer. Are not predisposed to dis- 

 ease. Carry their wool well till late shearing time. 



As to keeping sheep, give them feed and air enough, and there 

 will be no trouble. It is not necessary to change flocks in order to 

 keep sheep, change your buck every year if you have early lambs, 

 or in two years if you have late lambs. My flock has not been 

 thoroughly changed for over sixty years. They are better now than 

 I ever knew them to be in any former year. 



Corn fodder is worth more for sheep than for any other stock. 



Farm Improvements. Samuel Stickney, of Brownfield, and 

 Thomas Mabry and Son, of Hiram, were the only competitors for 

 the Society's premiums on farm improvements. Mr. Stickney's 

 chief labor has been to prepare drains and ditches by which to re- 

 move the water from a portion of his farm, heretofore almost worth- 

 less. It was well worth the pains taken to witness the success of 

 his operations. He raised potatoes this year on land upon vrhich 

 oxen could not walk, and they produced abundantly. His experi- 

 ments are, however, only the commencement of vrhat ought and no 

 doubt will be consummuted. We say to friend Stickney, go ahead, 

 and a lUtle deeper^ and you cannot fail to receive your reward. 



T. Mabry and Son, laid siege to the more solid portion of the 

 earth, and dug out and piled up large boulders, thereby construct- 

 ing an impassible barrier to the cornfield against the cattle, and also 

 permitting a more thorough pulverisation of the soil. Much was 

 done, and much remains to be done. Those old settlers bore the 

 marks of repeated assaults of the plow and harrow, and nobly did 

 they endure this, and reluctantly did they relinquish their posses- 

 sion long held undisturbed, and assume a conspicuous position among 

 their feliows. Strong hands and determined will, will remove every 

 obstruction, so the rocks were compelled to succumb. 



Much good will result to this community by well-conducted ex- 

 periments and a well-regulated system of farm improvements. The 

 increase of the hay crop has never received sufficient encouragement, 

 and cannot, except in a general manner. He who increases the 

 grass-growing qualities of his farm, and causes two spires to grow 

 where one grew before, and demonstrates his modus operandi^ meets 

 a reward. 



