498 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



which is fully verified bj' this year's lambs. Sheep husbandry, not unlike 

 other business, has its ups and downs. 



Did you ever thinli that with a sufficient number of sheep, man need 

 not suffer for want of food or raiment. Both completely combined 

 in the one animal. Man does not live by bread alone. With a few fat 

 lambs he would not have to. What other animals are adapted for use in 

 like manner. The buffalo, the camel, the bear, the Angora goat or the 

 goose might be mentioned as the nearest approach, none of which are to 

 be compared with the sheep for tooth or textile. 



It is a wonder, and I can not understand why Americans use so little 

 mutton. It evidently is the healthiest of meats, so acknowledged by the 

 best of doctors. Judging from some English people that I have seen, 

 they have the appearance of the healthiest race of people on earth; and 

 they are noted for mutton eaters. 



I said if any one is thinking of going into the business of sheep hus- 

 bandry be careful and select the breed you think will be the most profit- 

 able (for after all said, that is what every one is after), and keep that 

 distinct breed clear of mixture. If not you will in time have a conglom- 

 eration of wool, hair, horns, hides, hoofs, and a yearly clip of a mixture 

 of inferior wool and hair. And if asked what species or variety of sheep 

 you have, you will be able to answer they are the combination kind, 

 they are dual, hair and wool, sheep and wolf, a variety united in the one 

 animal, making it able to stand much exposure. The Shropshire breed 

 is not the longest, but is neatly built, round bodied, compact in form, 

 stand well on their feet, have black faces and legs, yearly wool clip aver- 

 aging from six to seven pounds, and prolific breeders. I had eighteen 

 ewes one year that raised twenty-seven lambs, averaging a lamb and u half 

 to the ewe. Dogs are not so numerous as they were, since a tax (town- 

 ship and city) is required of the o-wner. Consequently the danger of 

 mangling and killing of sheep by them is not so great as formerly. Should 

 a loss occur in that way, the State is responsible, and will adjust the 

 damage. 



For fifteen years I have kept a flock of sheep on our home place of 

 sixty-six and a half acres. Unfortunately and unjustly every foot of it is 

 incorporated within the city limits, and not a sheep or lamb has been 

 killed by dogs. Only in bad weather are they enclosed in sheds either 

 night or day. They are changed from one to another of three different 

 lots, one four and two six acres. Only a few days in the year are they 

 on other parts of the farm. Invariably they return to one of these lots 

 at night. Dogs certainly have some ways of commmiicating ideas one 

 with another, for they all seem to know that it is unhealthy roaming 

 around on certain territory alone. (Suburbs of Salem.) Not long ago one 

 ventured into a garden not far from where we live; he was reclining in 

 the warm sunshine when first discovered. He never regained his feet. 

 His remains were carefully laid away under an apple tree, and if not 



