262 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



and better for rearing lambs for the market, which in our 

 opinion affords greater profit than the wool to the farmer. 

 You will excuse me if 1 say a word in regard to my own expe- 

 rience in the matter. 



I have a pasture situated near my buildings, consisting of 



about twenty acres, inclosed with a common stone wall with 

 riders upon the top, and a small stream of water running 

 through it. For the last twenty-four years I have kept in it) 

 with my oxen and horse, a flock of from fifteen to twenty 

 sheep each year, which have afforded as good profits as any 

 other stock. The fence I have endeavored to put in good 

 repair before putting them into the pasture in the spring, after 

 which I have seldom had any trouble during the season ; and 

 instead of impoverishing the soil, it will now keep, at least, one- 

 quarter more stock than when first owned by me, without the 

 application of manure of any kind, except that left by the 

 stock. The present season I have kept seventeen sheep, which 

 brought, in the last week in March and first week in April, 

 twenty lambs, which they have reared. The lambs I sold when 

 three and four months old to the butcher for $80 or $4 

 each. The wool, after being washed and sheared from the 

 sheep was sold in the fleece — after reserving twenty pounds for 

 my family use — fifty-four and one-half at 38 cents per pound, 

 amounting to -120.71, receiving as the income of the flock 

 $100.71 in cash. 



John Hayward, Chairman. 



PLYMOUTH. 



From the Report of the Trustees. 



The trustees cannot close this portion of their report 

 without urging upon the farmers of the county the importance 

 of greater attention to sheep husbandry than is now displayed. 

 Our dry, brown hills look mournfully down upon us, and seem 

 to say, " Why are we deserted ? Why left to the briar, the fern, 

 the indigo, and the whortleberry ? We can supply you with 

 the very fat of the land if you will permit us, and can clothe 

 you with a shelter, better than the lee hillside which we 

 afford ! Let the sheep still nestle upon our bosoms, and bleat 

 around our sides, and we will soon furnish you with milk and 



