WEST SOMERSET SOCIETY. Ql 



jears before. There is a perceptible improvement in all depart- 

 ments of farming, which, in a great measure, is attributable to the 

 influence of the agricultural societies in our midst." 



Some of the premiums awarded were as follows : 

 To Benjamin Weston, of Madison, for best stallion, — Morgan and 

 English. 



To Elijah Hilton, of Anson, for second best 

 To Wm. H. Brown of Anson, for best breeding mare, (a Black 

 Hawk.) 



To E. S. Hopkins, of New Portland, for best Devon bull, bred by 

 I. Wentworth. 



To the same, for two Devon cows, bred by J. F. Anderson, South 

 Windham. 



Mr. Hopkins, in his statement, says " that the Devons, when bred 

 to milk, yield well and give very rich milk ; that they are well 

 adapted to our climate and rough pastures ; that the oxen prove 

 excellent workers, girting 6^ to 7 leet, and make the best of beef."' 

 B. F. Hilton, of Starks, for grade Hereford bull and cow. 

 Samuel W. Tinkham, of Anson, best milch coav, yield not given 

 in the statement. 



To the same, for best fine wool buck. 

 " Wm. R Flint, North Anson, for second best do. 

 " Joseph M. Smith, for best fine wool ewes. 

 " Wm. R. Flint, for second best do, 

 " J. M. Smith, for best 25 fine wool sheep. 

 " AVm. R. Flint, 25 second best. 



iMr. Flint, in his statement, says : 



" Their average weight is something over one hundred pounds. 

 The weight of fleece, well kept, will be seven pounds of wool when 

 waihed, and sells quick at 50 cents per pound. Their lambs sell at 

 from .'s5 to $10 each, for keeping purposes. I cut 1500 pounds of 

 wool from three hundred sheep, including about seventy lambs, 

 which sold at 50 cents washed — something less for a few fleeces un- 

 washed. I consider this breed, (the Spanish Merino) the best 

 and most profitable sheep in this State, or in any other State. 

 They consume the least food according to their weight of any other 

 kind ; are tough and hardy ; will be kept in large flocks, and retain 

 their flesh better than any other kind. I seldom lose two per cent, 

 by wintering. 



