ESSEX SOCIETY. 15 



yearly, or as often as they performed their task of subduing 

 bushes. The result would be a large increase of feed the years 

 following the sheep. 



My manner of treatment is to see them often, give them salt 

 about once a week, keep them well sheltered from storms, and 

 by a little feed and kind words to keep them as gentle as possi- 

 ble, so that I can call my whole flock as far as they can hear 

 my voice. They will do well out as long as the ground is bare. 

 I then yard them until spring, never allowing them to ramble 

 over fields. I feed on meadow and salt hay, and wood-wax, 

 until about yeaning, when they have good hay, and some grain, 

 giving them a liberal supply of roots through the winter. My 

 sheep thus far have much more than paid for their summer 

 keeping, in the improvement of my pastures. 



The principal profit, aside from the benefit to the pasture, is 

 the lambs, which, for the three years past, has been as follows, 

 viz : 



1845 3 00 per head. 



1846 2 90 do 



1847 2 80 do 



The wool averages about 1 00 per head. I have found the 

 native sheep of a medium size the most hardy, and will bear 

 short pastures much the best. 



Danvers, September 26th, 1847." 



On the Dairy. 



The committee were highly gratified to witness the continued 

 interest and improvement manifested in this very important part 

 of domestic duty in this county ; and though many of our farm- 

 ers' wives and daughters are entitled to much credit for the neat- 

 ness, good taste, and skill which they have evinced in the man- 

 agement of the dairy, the committee are of opinion that there is 

 yet room for much improvement in this branch of industry. 

 Doubtless, many of the fair manufacturers of butter are more 

 competent to give instructive suggestions respecting it than your 



