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eral condition of sheep will correspond witli that of cattle in correspond- 

 ing localities. Our retains show that this is the fact. The compara- 

 tively high price of wool has had its effect in securing to sheep better 

 protection and fefed than they otherwise would have received, east of 

 the Eocky Mountains. The general mildness of the winter, sufficiency 

 of feed, and consequent superior condition of ewes, have conspired to 

 raise the percentage of lambs, in number and vigor, considerably above 

 an average. In the Southern States, the old and often reiterated com- 

 plaints against the dogs, and the reasons for complaining are not in any 

 degree abated. 



In New England, among thirty-four returns, only Oxford, Maine, re- 

 ports average ; all others a better condition. Kent, Khode Island, re- 

 j)orts more lambs raised than usual. 



From the Middle States, Washington, Pa., reports that those which 

 ^'have been grained, as sheep should be in such winters, have done 

 well," but the condition is not generally good for the reason that " the 

 ■warm, wet winter has dulled their appetites, and, running mostly to 

 grass, they have preferred living scantily on that rather than on hay.^' 

 This is the only county, out of ninety-eight, which returns a general 

 condition below fair or average, while eighty-two report a condition above 

 that. In Albany, isew York, farmers find it pays to feed better than 

 formerly. Among others reporting a very high condition are Warren, 

 Magara, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Lewis, and Washington, Xew York; 

 W'arren and Gloucester, ISTew Jersey ; Snyder, York, Tioga, Bucks, 

 Lebanon, Wyoming, and Mercer, Pennsylvania; Prince George, Car- 

 roll, Baltimore, and Wycomico, Maryland. Queen Anne, Maryland, re- 

 turns good condition and no loss of lambs. 



In the South Atlantic States, out of one hundred and sixty-eight re- 

 turns, only three are below average — Marlborough and Georgetown, 

 South Carolina, and Catoosa, Georgia; while one hundred and fifty 

 are above. In Dinwiddle, Virginia, "spring-lambs very forward, and 

 some few already marketed at $6 per head." 



In Forsyth, McDufiQe, Granville, and Davie, North Carolina, the con- 

 dition of sheep is very superior. 



In fifty-one returns from Texas, all report above, and most of them 

 much above. Bexar, Harrison, and Medina, a condition never excelled ; 

 Navarre, Collin, McLennan, Bosque, Ellis, Hunt, and Galveston, better 

 than for a number of years. In Austin, Bosque, and Bandera, there has 

 been no day all winter in which green grass was not plenty ; in Victoria 

 they are fine and fat ; in Williamson, have been fat alt winter. In Bell 

 and Eefugio, the prevalence of scab to some extent is noted ; in Austin 

 a few deaths of lambs. 



Arkansas returns two counties, Montgomery and Hempstead, as av- 

 erage, nineteen above and none below. From Tennessee, forty-three re- 

 turns have been received ; in Sumner, Meigs, Loudon, and (except those 

 sheltered) Campbell, they are not in average condition, because not shel- 

 tered, but exposed to the prevalent damp and rainy weather. In Union, 

 feed having given out, and in Madison and Grundy, poor condition is 

 reported; in all others good; in Obion, they are amply rewarding for care 

 by multiplying rapidly. " Good shelter, and good care and feeding will 

 pay 25 per 'cent, in lambs, and 25 per cent, in wool." 



In Coffee, our reporter says : " Sheep have done well on grass with- 

 out any other feed all winter. My wethers are all in condition for the 

 butcher, entirely on grass." 



In West Virginia, among thirty-two returns, the only one not report- 

 ing a condition above average, is from Pleasants, owing to frequent rains 



