208 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



We would not make this case a general rule, but we think 

 that the lambs from a flock of well-kept ewes will sell for twice 

 as much annually as the wool. At present we have not a good 

 market for wool in this county, although a large amount is 

 manufactured here, yet when we have asked the dealers to buy 

 wool, the answer is, we do not wish to buy of the farmers, we 

 prefer to have it in large lots. If more sheep were kept, we 

 should undoubtedly have a better market for wool. 



We are aware that it may be said that it requires more care 

 and attention to raise good early lambs than it does to produce 

 wool. This is the kind of farming that we need here. Those 

 that would wish to get along in a slip-shod, hap-hazard way, 

 had better go to Texas and raise wool. 



We would again quote from the report : — " That we can 

 feed sheep profitably, there is no doubt, but they must be 

 adapted to our agricultural circumstances." Now, what are 

 our agricultural circumstances ? First, we have a good market 

 for lambs, and a poor one for wool. 



Second, our pastures are poor in August and September, 

 therefore, we should keep that breed of sheep whose lambs will 

 be fit for market early. If we keep the fine-wool sheep, their 

 lambs are too tender for the severe weather we often have in 

 March ; if they do not come till the warm weather, they must 

 be kept with the ewes till autumn. 



Thirdly, we can raise roots advantageously here, and those 

 with second-crop hay are what the ewes need to make good 

 early lambs. 



In feeding sheep in winter, I have often noticed with what 

 avidity and apparent relish they eat the heads from clover hay. 

 Why is this ? Chemists tell us that wool contains a large 

 amount of those elements found in be^ns, and this is why 

 sheep are so fond of them. Botanists say tliat clover belongs 

 to the bean family of plants, and must therefore contain more 

 that will produce wool than other hay. I have often noticed 

 tliat sheep will select the timothy and leave the redtop hay, 

 while the cow will eat the redtop and leave the other. 



I would call the attention of those who manage our experi- 

 mental farm, to trying the experiment of raising beans upon 

 an acre of that plain land, for the purpose of feeding to sheep, 

 witliout threshina;. 



