SHEEP. 229 



tion. But if we shall have succeeded in attracting the attention 

 of the members of this society to the importance of the question, 

 and if we shall have brought forward any views which will tend 

 to increase the interest in one of the most profitable parts of 

 agriculture, and one in which Essex County is peculiarly inter- 

 ested, and tojwhich she is well adapted, we shaH feel that we 

 have faithfully discharged tlie duty imposed upon us. 



The chairman of the committee would state that he has been 

 unable to consult all the members upon the opinions expressed 

 by him in this report — and he is aware that some of them may 

 differ from him. 



George B. Loring, Chairman. 



Statement of Charles Corliss. 



I keep about thirty head, mostly Cotswolds ; would like to 

 keep a large number, but do not think it best, from- the risk of 

 loss by dogs. 



The outside fence of my barnyard — part stone and part 

 wood — is surmounted by a wire net-work fence, three and one- 

 half feet high ; here my sheep repose in safety at night, and 

 during the winter ; thus rendering them secure a large portion 

 of the time. They are trained to come, at call, to the yard at 

 dark every niglit, where they have a shed opened to the south, 

 for shelter in wet or cold weather ; a constant supply of fresh 

 water and of salt, both mineral and coarse-fine. A door opens 

 from the shed to a pen in the barn for winter feeding. They 

 are not shut in the barn, except during the lambing season, but 

 are allowed to stay out in the open air even during the coldest 

 nights. No other stock is ever allowed in the yard with them. 



They are kept quiet at all times ; are tame, so as to feed from 

 the hand, and willingly allow themselves to be handled. For 

 a few weeks previous to, and during the breeding season, they 

 are fed, just before night, with oats, about one pint each per 

 day, for six or eight weeks. The change from grass to hay 

 and vice versa, is gradual. Durii^ the winter they are fed 

 regularly twice a day, viz., from seven to nine and a half, and 

 from three to five and a half. The intervals allowed between 

 are about right for sleeping and chewing the cud. Feeding 

 often has a tendency to make them restless and uneasy. As 



