86 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



fair quantity of hay, and a great quantity of after-feed, at 

 very much less cost than most other farmers. 



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Sheep-husbandry, which has been almost, if not entirely 

 abandoned in this county, is now attracting the attention of 

 many farmers in other sections, where it had also been aban- 

 doned. A stringent law has been enacted by the legislature, 

 removing to a great extent what has hitherto been regarded an 

 insuperable objection to the keeping of sheep, — the destruction 

 of them by dogs. And large tracts of pasturage in the county 

 are thought to be well adapted to the feeding of sheep. We 

 have heard it argued by one perfectly familiar with sheep-hus- 

 bandry and with the nature and condition of the farms in the 

 county, that it would be practicable for every farmer here to 

 keep as many sheep as cows, without any addition or 

 change of pasturage ; that the droppings of sheep form the 

 richest and most valuable manure for pastures, and are best dis- 

 tributed over the land ; and that, in proportion to their cost, no 

 other farm stock yields so remunerative returns. 



On the other hand, we have heard it said, — not, however, 

 with reference to the nature and condition of our farms, — that 

 setting aside the danger from destruction by dogs, which may 

 now be partially or entirely provided against, the keeping of 

 sheep in this section of the State has been found unprofitable, 

 because attended with too many difficulties and risks, and 

 requiring too much care, and therefore it is abandoned. 



"We cannot here enter into any discussion of this subject, nor 

 have we the facts at hand which would go to prove either of 

 the^c statements correct. "We know from observation here and 

 elsewhere, that it is perfectly practicable to raise and keep sheep 

 in our county. "We have seen one of the largest and finest flocks 

 in this section of the State raised and kept where, if any 

 where in the county, it would seem to be attended with peculiar 

 difficulties. "We have been told of its profitableness even there. 

 And in other quarters, where the situation of the farms is 

 more favorable, we know it is spoken of as altogether the most 

 profitable branch of husbandry. 



But if the business be not entered into upon a large scale, 

 we arc inclined to the belief that an equal number of 

 sheep may be kept with cows, in most of our pastures. 



