SHEEP. 213 



enhanced the value of sheep of every description. And while 

 we are still discussing the question of what kind of sheep — the 

 smaller, fine-woolled breeds, or the heavy, coarse-woolled mutton 

 sheep — is the most desirable, one point is clearly established, 

 that the sheep is a most profitable animal, and that sheep 

 husbandry is a very important part of the business of farming. 



The decline of sheep husbandry in Massachusetts is remark- 

 able, and, to some extent, unaccountable. In twenty years, 

 from 1840 to 1860, the decrease in the number of sheep was 

 more than 250,000, and in the latter year the whole number 

 was but little more than 100,000 in our whole Commonwealth ; 

 and in 1850, of the 22,000,000 pounds of wool consumed here, 

 less than 600,000 pounds was raised in the State. Meanwhile 

 New York contained 5,118,777 sheep, and Virginia 1,293,772, 

 and England had increased her number to over 50,000,000. 



There is no reason why Massachusetts and some other parts 

 of New England should show so little attention to the branch 

 of agriculture which we are considering. The soil and climate 

 are just as well adapted to it as are those of any other portion 

 of the continent, and there is abundant evidence that the 

 wealth of our State, and of our own county, can be materially 

 increased by the introduction of suitable flocks upon our 

 pastures. 



In attempting to decide what flocks are suitable, we should 

 bear in mind the circumstances of soil and climate by which we 

 are surrounded. Our pastures are not luxuriant. Our climate 

 is somewhat severe. Neither the grazing of summer, nor the 

 usual quality of food in winter, is conducive to large animal 

 growth. 



One great object of English agriculture is to furnish animal 

 food for the population of the kingdom, at as cheap a rate as 

 possible ; and to no one branch of animal breeding for this 

 purpose has the English farmer applied himself with more skill 

 and success than to the production of mutton. Various breeds 

 of sheep, each adapted to the locality in which it is found, are 

 scattered over the kingdom, supplying food, of a most nutri- 

 tious and economical quality, to all classes of the inhabitants. 

 Mutton is said to be the cheapest animal food that the farmer 

 there can produce. The domestic consumption is very great. 

 Every edible portion of the animal finds a ready market. The 



