P.D.123 11 



Our other grades have been used by many of our breeders with good results, 

 and the grade name has come to mean considerable to the purchasers of poultry 

 stock from Massachusetts breeders. Our breeders are recognizing the sales 

 value of grades that have strict requirements and are adequately inspected 

 so that each breeder must substantially meet the requirements of the grade. 

 The quality of breeding stock in Massachusetts is second to none in the United 

 States and we take particular pride in having considerable to do with this 

 program that is developing each year and which in time will mean much more 

 to our Massachusetts poultry industry. The addition of a new permanent 

 inspector will mean that our program will be expedited and the particular 

 aims of our poultry industry for more and better breeding stock in Massa- 

 chusetts will be more quickly realized. 



Sheep Demonstration Farm 



The needs of the sheep industry were carefully considered during the past 

 year and the farm of Oscar Belden and Son in Bradstreet in the Connecticut 

 Valley was selected as a sheep demonstration farm. For three generations this 

 farm has been interested in scientific sheep breeding and has maintained a 

 flock of registered Southdowns that have received recognition throughout the 

 United States. During the past few years in addition to receipts from wool 

 and spring lambs the Beldens specialized in hothouse lambs and succeeded in 

 developing a very satisfactory market for these off-season lambs. This farm 

 has large acreages in tobacco, onions and fruit, but the sheep project is one 

 of the major pai'ts of their farm program. The feeding, care and management 

 of the flock have always been conducted under the most modern scientific prin- 

 ciples and methods, and the Beldens have always been quite willing to share 

 with other sheep breeders the information that they have obtained through 

 years of experience. It is therefore most natural that this farm was selected 

 as a sheep demonstration fai*m, and a meeting of all persons interested in 

 sheep growing was held on this farm on November 20, 1935. An interesting 

 program was arranged and the results of the meeting were educational. 

 Several meetings of this kind will probably be held during the succeeding year, 

 and it is felt that the sheep demonstration farm will pi-ove of great value to 

 the sheep industry in Massachusetts. 



Our wool pool continues to bring home to the farmers a price premium for 

 their wool that is manufactured into blankets. During the past year over 

 1,100 blankets were manufactured and distributed among the sheep growers in 

 this State. The farmer has sold virgin wool blankets at a price of $8 apiece 

 and this has netted the farmer approximately 45 cents a pound for his wool, 

 which price is far in excess of the amount that could be obtained in any other 

 way. 



We regret exceedingly the passing of Carleton D. Richardson of West 

 Brookfield, who was associated with the wool pool and with the other activities 

 of this division for the past fifteen years. His deeds speak for themselves. 

 He was known among the farmers as a real friend and his sudden death 

 caused a profound and sincere sorrow among those who had associated with 

 him in agricultural activities and knew him for the splendid service that he 

 always rendered. The work of the wool pool has been taken over by his son, 

 Milton Richardson, who will carry on the program instituted by his father. 



The division has attempted to renew interest in various phases of animal 

 husbandry that have not been covered during the past few years. Goat 

 breeders throughout the state have called upon us for service and we have 

 attempted to oi-ganize this industry and evaluate its importance. Several asso- 

 ciations of goat breeders have been formed and it would appear that they 

 have a product to sell that is in demand in many sections of the State. Their 

 breeders are energetic and ready to give their time and best efforts toward 

 building up this industry. 



For the past few years there has been a demand upon the department for 

 assistance in developing a source of more and better draft horses within the 

 Commonwealth. We admit readily the value and usefulness of the tractor in 

 speeding up our farm programs, but it would appear in many sections of the 



