1905.] QUESTIONS. 63 



briefly the necessity for the existence and organization of the 

 Connecticut Sheep Breeders' Association. The lack of senti- 

 ment in favor of the sheep industry can be overcome only 

 through some organization like that. It seems to me that such 

 an organization is a paramount necessity if we are to develop 

 in Connecticut the necessary sentiment to reestablish sheep 

 industry. Now, I think it is true that as farmers we are a lit- 

 tle too lax in espousing organizations to protect our personal 

 interests. Modern industries are built up along lines of such 

 close connection that farmers must get together in their various 

 interests just the same as any other, and especially be ready to 

 protect themselves. Nobody is going to protect them, and 

 nobody is going to protect the sentiment in favor of the devel- 

 opment of the sheep industry except the men that are interested 

 in it. You are not going to have any dog fancier do it, and 

 you are not going to have anybody who is not interested in 

 sheep. That is not to be expected, and we might as well give 

 up all thought of it to begin with. It has got to be done by the 

 sheep men themselves. We are the ones that must develop 

 that sentiment. And in my judgment it is all our own fault 

 that such a low state of sentiment in favor of the sheep industry 

 exists in Connecticut at present. We must not complain, but 

 I certainly feel that we have had ourselves to blame, in a large 

 measure, for the situation which exists, but let us remember 

 that and try, through the Connecticut Sheep Breeders' Associa- 

 tion, to develop that sentiment again. 



Now, as to the matter of town officials adjusting damages. 

 As was remarked in my address, I believe very much could be 

 accomplished if we had a good strong organization of sheep 

 breeders, which would keep the breeders in this State active 

 and interested in the matter, and prompt them to approach the 

 town officials in cases where damages are to be adjusted. If 

 we had an active membership that would notify the officials 

 of the Sheep Breeders' Association of such cases, and let the 

 officials of the association get into touch with the selectmen, 



