196 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. • 



(or a trifle less than six cents,) apiece. The fleece of each sheep 

 is accurately weighed, and tlie weight entered in the register. 

 Then tlie fleeces are bound up singly, those of the different 

 breeds being kept apart. On an average of eight years, the 

 Electorals shear 2 lbs. 3^ oz. The comb-wools shear 2 lbs. 10^ 

 oz. The grades, 3 lbs. 3| oz. 



The live weight of bucks of the Electoral breed is 120 lbs. ; 

 of ewes, 76 lbs. Of comb-wool bucks, 135 lbs. ; ewes, 84 lbs. 

 Of grades, 1(>0 lbs. ; ewes, 91 lbs. 



The oily gum in the fleeces of the three breeds is easily solu- 

 ble, and the washing makes the wool beautifully white. Dust, 

 sand and dirt cling to the fleeces of these sheep and the washing, 

 therefore, is followed by a considerable loss of weight. An 

 experiment made to ascertain the average loss resulted as 

 follows : — 



The Electoral sheep lost, on an average, 4 lbs. or 63 per cent, 

 in washing on the sheep, and at the manufactory, 12.3 per 

 cent., making in all 75.3 per cent., and leaving 24.7 per cent, 

 of thoroughly cleansed wool. The comb-wool sheep lost 2 lbs. 

 13 oz., or 50 per cent, on the fleece, and at the manufactory, 

 12.7 per cent. In all 62.7 per cent., leaving 37.3 per cent, of 

 clean wool. The grades lost 5 lbs. 14 oz., or 66 per cent, from* 

 washing on the fleece, and 9.5 at the mill. In all 75.5 per cent, 

 leaving 24^ per cent, of pure wool. 



The Experimental Field was designed, not only as a means of 

 instruction for the students, but also as a means of investigation 

 on the part of the professors. For this purpose the plots appro- 

 priated to each experiment, consist of nearly a quarter of an 

 acre each ; a size sufficient to give to each a fair and full trial 

 in management, manuring, cost of culture, results, &c. The 

 fact that there are ninety-six of these plotg, indicates that this 

 part of the enterprise receives its due share of attention. It 

 also offers the means of raising a great variety of seeds, which 

 supply the wants of the farm and form an important item in the 

 receipts of the institute ; while it secures to the farmers of the 

 country a certain source, from which they can obtain pure seed. 

 But the experiments on the farm are not wholly confined to this 

 field. Among those that have been tried, the following may be 

 mentioned : — 



