SECRETARY'S REPORT. 385 



While inspecting the piles of fat exhibited as oxen, some of 

 which are to continue the stuffing process for the winter before 

 being sent to tlie shambles, one is led to questi(tn whether it 

 can be considered good farming for men to keep animals of this 

 character, for the sake of gratifying their pride, when a positive 

 loss must be felt in their pockets ; while, at the same time, so 

 much encouragement is afforded for the breeding and feeding 

 of sheep. Would it not be very much to the advantage of the 

 farmers of the hill towns in this section, if they should turn 

 their attention to rearing the larger varieties of coarse and 

 middle-wool sheep ? And can the farmers of the valley towns 

 use their hay and grain so profitably as in feeding sheep of the 

 above description ? The rapidly augmenting national debt is a 

 guarantee to producers of wool that high duties must be the 

 rule, as they have been the exception in years gone by ; wool 

 must necessarily remain at a comparatively high figure, even if 

 cotton should soon be abundant at peace prices. This state of 

 things, taken in connection with the increasing demand for 

 good mutton, which now brings as high a price in our markets 

 as choice beef, must render the raising and fattening of sheep a 

 profitable branch of husbandry. In no other way can the 

 exhausted and brush-covered pastures, seen everywhere through- 

 out the State, be so easily and economically renovated and 

 improved as by feeding sheep upon them ; this fact alone should 

 encourage and extend this branch of farming. 



The exhibition within the building was varied and interest- 

 ing ; many of the articles exhibited were superior of their kind. 

 The show of fruit, as throughout the State this year, was very 

 fine. Apples and pears were abundant, and unusually large 

 and fair. More attention is being paid to the culture of the 

 pear in this locality than formerly, and the quantity and quality 

 of specimens exliibited was proof that great success is attending 

 the etTorts in this direction ; judging from the thriftless and 

 neglected appearance of the majority of the apple trees noticed 

 in journeying through this portion of the State, there must be 

 a sad want of appreciation of this most necessary fruit, which 

 will soon make itself seen in a scarcity. One reSson for this 

 neglect may be a want of market for apples, but the right kinds 

 will always sell, and generally at a remunerative price. I 

 think if more attention were paid to the cultivation of the 



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