34 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



but those who did return had seen the larger Hfe ; had had a 

 wider outlook, so that they became adventurous, and the farm 

 life of Connecticut was too narrow to content them. There 

 dated from that time the decline of the value of New England 

 farms, and the decline in the population of our rural towns. 

 And the other reason so clearly and forcibly expressed by 

 President Luther was that at about the same time came the 

 introduction, so largely, of improved machinery. Those two 

 things, to my mind, have been most potent factors in reducing 

 the population of our rural districts and causing the desertion 

 of so many of our rural farms. 



That completes the programme for this morning, but I 

 want to say that during the intermission there will be a meet- 

 ing of the sheep breeders of Connecticut in this hall. 



This afternoon we shall be furnished with music at the 

 opening of the convention. The convention will now stand 

 adjourned until two o'clock. 



AFTERNOON SESSION. 



Convention called to order at 2.00 p. m.. Secretary Brown 

 in the Chair. 



Secretary Brown. We have prepared some music', and if 

 you will come to order the first thing ^n our programme this 

 afternoon will be a song. 



(Song and music by quartette.) 



Secretary Brown. We are to have now an introductory 

 address by Mr. F. H, Stadtmueller, president of the Connecti- 

 cut Sheep Breeders' Association. 



THE DECLINE OF THE SHEEP INDUSTRY IN 



CONNECTICUT. 



By President F. H. Stadtmueller, 



Of the Connecticut Sheep Breeders' Association. 



Mr. Chairman, and ladies and gentlemen : I have felt that 

 no more fitting theme as an introductory for this meeting, 



