226 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



return to tlie producer. Forming, as it does, a very important 

 article of commerce, and lying at the foundation of extensive 

 manufactures throughout the world, it ranks with iron and coal, 

 and cotton in the possession of an intrinsic value. It is one of 

 the least perishable commodities produced by the farmer, and 

 up to a certain length of time, will earn more than the interest 

 on its value, by increase of weight in storage. It insures the 

 property invested in sheep, after they are six months old, 

 against loss by disease and accident ; for, with the exception of 

 a few months after shearing, the fleece of the smaller breeds 

 constitutes more than one-half their value. Considering the 

 safety of the investment, the economy of management, and the 

 sure returns, it is not surprising tliat such extensive and profit- 

 able enterprise should be devoted to wool-producing sheep. 



With mutton, however, the case is very different. It does 

 not enter into the commerce of the world, as do beef and 

 pork. The waste in the carcass is very great, the chief value 

 being in the hind-quarters, which are mostly used for home 

 consumption. It is sold in the large markets only to supply 

 daily wants. However largely it may be used, it ranks with 

 the luxuries rather than with the necessities of life. It is said 

 to be produced in England twenty per cent, cheaper than beef; 

 and in this country its market value is much less than beef, 

 rarely commanding, except in extraordinary instances, more 

 than from three and a, half to five cents per pound to the 

 producer. No doubt there are sections of our country, as in 

 Maryland, Kentucky, some parts of Virginia, and the Middle 

 and Western States, where pasturage is very luxuriant, and the 

 climate mild, which can furnish mutton, even at these prices, 

 with profit, to themselves. There is no doubt that in the 

 " artificial feeding" of England, mutton will yield an ample 

 return. But we cannot believe that, as a general thing in New 

 England, we can afford to reduce the value of the fleece for the 

 sake of what profit we can make on the mutton. 



That a combination of these two interests is possible, we have 

 every reason to believe. There is a large quantity of mutton 

 brought to market of very high quality and good flavor, which 

 comes from the fine-wool regions of New England. The car- 

 , casses weigh from fifty to sixty pounds, are not loaded with a 

 great weight of external fat, but carry much tallow, have good 



