SHEEP. 283 



and consequent elevation of desire and knowledge. Let us 

 seek to compel reference to higher standards ; let us seek to es- 

 tablish and dignify those standards we already have, by install- 

 ing them in legal positions before the classes whom it most 

 concerns to reach those standards. 



The Agricultural College should bear this practical fruit, and 

 we must plant a professorship there, at no distant day, looking to 

 the good of this noble interest. 



Alpheus B. Davis, Chairman. 



SHEEP. 



HOUSATONIC. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Ewes. — The committee were gratified at seeing so many en- 

 tries of Middle Wool Sheep. They are the best for mutton, 

 especially the full-blood South Downs. It is a flock of this, and 

 of breeds nearly resembling it, which for a great length of time 

 has been held in the highest esteem in Great Britain, and on the 

 Continent of Europe. And if the sheep growers of this country 

 wish to increase the consumption of mutton, — causing it to take 

 the place, to a certain extent, of the less healthful flesh of the 

 hog, — they must supply the markets with the best kind. It can- 

 not reasonably be expected that the community can be converted 

 to mutton-eating by offering them meat of bad quality. Men 

 would soon learn to love pure South Down mutton, juicy, ten- 

 der and well flavored, who could never be persuaded to eat 

 m'uch of the flesh of sheep, having a strong taste, as is apt to 

 be the case with Merinos, or having such an excess of fat as be- 

 longs to the large, coarse breeds. 



By crossing our common sheep, or even Merinos, with South 

 Down rams, we can obtain flocks producing excellent mutton, 

 and at the same time yielding a good quality of wool. To do 

 this successfully, it is absolutely essential .that the ram be en- 

 tirely full-blood, or a thoroughbred. The use of any kind of 

 grade males, will be sure to vitiate the result, and disappoint 

 the expectations of even the most careful breeders. And we 



