SHEEP. 173 



has kept the different kinds of coarse and fine woolled sheep, 

 having purchased a flock of hybrids, (from Southdowns and 

 ' Merinos,) is positive that they were the most profitable that 

 he ever owned. Our experience is that no coarse-wooUed 

 sheep can stand two years in a flock of three hundred Merinos 

 without becoming diseased. The Southdowns, being of a cyKn- 

 drical form, appear to the eye in better flesh than the fact 

 warrants ; it requires but the toucli of an expert to detect the 

 error. 



The exhibition of sheep was very limited. It was difficult to 

 dispose of the premiums from the want of numbers. This state 

 of things will probably induce a good and full representation 

 another year. As the premiums are the magnet, we will sug- 

 gest a revision and extension, if found practicable. Very few 

 persons can compete for the premium offered for fifty ewes. 

 Would it not be well to reduce that number to twenty-five, and 

 divide the premiums, thus increasing competition ? If premi- 

 ums on single sheep were so arranged that twice as many were 

 offered, it might induce twice the competition. The sheep 

 exhibited this year were mostly in good flesh, and very fair 

 specimens of their kind. The flock of fifty ewes exhibited by 

 J. A. Morton, of Hadley, gave evidence that their owner had 

 not ceased to be a good shepherd, and continues to look well to 

 his flock. The Southdowns exhibited by Messrs. M. J. Smith 

 & Son, of Northampton, were of unexceptional form, the anat- 

 omy being perfect with the exception of a slightly too great 

 length of legs for the size of the body. The sheep exhibited by 

 Parsons West, of Hadley, are a mongrel breed, gathered perhaps 

 from the four winds of heaven, forming a most happy and valu- 

 able combination, giving evidence of possessing a splendid 

 constitution, good fattening qualities and fine size. 



We will venture to suggest to the society the importance of 

 assigning some point or place as a rendezvous for the committees 

 to meet and organize for their work. It will be a very great 

 convenience to those acting on committees. 



Charles Eastman, Chairman. 



