32 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Mr. Harris. Yes; I think a good many pastures in New 

 England do. 



Question. AVhat inducement is there for a man to go 

 into sheep husbandry, with the present price of wool ? 



Mr. Harris. You mustn't place too much stress upon 

 wool at present ; mutton brings a good price, and wool is high 

 sometimes. 



The CiiAiK. I do a little in the sheep business ; it is one 

 of the side issues. I do not know that it has been very profit- 

 able, one year with another. Mr. Harris is in one line of 

 business, and he has talked to you about another. He doesn't 

 tell you about those high-priced sheep he is going to get money 

 from. 



Mr. Harris talked about keeping his sheep in open sheds. 

 He has been in the business a great many years and has 

 many valuable sheep, and he has already made a success of 

 it. My experience has been that sheep should not be out 

 in the open; and if I got lambs that came in December or 

 January, I never for a moment should think of having them 

 come in an open shed. 



Mr. C. D. Richardson (of West Brookfield). AVe have 

 kept over 40 sheep in the same pasture for years, and I do 

 not know when we have had a better flock than at present. 

 I have not been in the habit of feeding grain, but give skim 

 milk. I find this brings the lambs along in good shape. 



Afti:rnoon Session. 



The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. by Secretary 

 Ellsworth, who introduced Mr. John Bursley of West Barn- 

 stable as the presiding officer of the afternoon. 



The Chair. It is a pleasure, I assure you, to be present 

 with tliose who are interested in agriculture. Your presence 

 here this afternoon assures me that you are interested. 



I take pleasure in introducing to you Prof. F. C. Sears, 

 professor of pomology at our Agricultural College, who will 

 talk to you on " The planting of a commercial orchard in 

 Massachusetts." 



Professor Sears. It is my usual custom to talk offhand, 



