360 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Merino's, both ewes and bucks, entered by Aaron Buddington, 

 showed great skill and judgment in selecting and rearing this 

 kind of sheep. 



The exhibition of fine woolled sheep was very creditable to 

 their owners. A lot of five Spanish Merino ewes, entered by 

 David Dennison, the committee regard as of superior excellence ; 

 but as the society's rules required the entry of six, we could 

 not, of course, award to him a premium, but would recommend 

 a gratuity of a volume of the Report of the Commissioner of 

 Patents. An Irish buck, belonging to Dorus Bascom, of Gill, 

 estimated to weigh two hundred and fifty pounds, being four 

 years old, is a noble animal, and we recommend a like gratuity 

 to Mr. Bascom, of a volume of the Commissioner's Report. 



The specimens of South Downs exhibited were very gratify- 

 ing to the committee. Where all are so superior, it is difficult 

 to discriminate, and we cannot too strongly recommend to our 

 farmers, increased attention to this variety of sheep. The 

 statistics of sales and profits furnished by their owners would 

 seem calculated to induce a general rush for the business. 



The following are samples : — Samuel Fisk sold thirty-four 

 lambs from twenty ewes for $4.25 per head — sold in August. 

 "William Wood sold thirty-seven from thirty-five ewes for the 

 sum of $175 — sold in August — bringing $5 per head for twenty- 

 five, and $4 per head for twelve. 



The exhibition of sheep, this day, seems to have exceeded 

 those of this society heretofore, both as to numbers and quality 

 of animals ; and yet the committee feel compelled to express 

 their regret that there is not a more general interest manifest- 

 ed in raising and improving this valuable stock in Franklin 

 County. They believe that a large portion of this county is 

 well adapted to this branch of husbandry, and if our farmers 

 would turn their attention more to it, the aggregate income of 

 the county would be greatly increased. 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



R. H. Leavitt, Chairman, 



