248 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



The Spanish Merino sheep introduced into Massachusetts by Seth 

 Adams in 1801, and by others from that time to 1811, weighed about 110 

 pounds for the rams and 62 pounds for the ewes. The rams gave from 

 6 to 9 pounds of unwashed wool, the ewes from 5 to 8 pounds. In 1801 

 the rams have a live weight of 115 to 160 pounds and give fleeces weigh- 

 ing from 16 to 33 pounds, the ewes having a live weight of 70 to 90 

 pounds and yield fleeces of 15 to 21 pounds. 



The Spanish Merino and its grades form but small part in the econ- 

 omy of the State. Of the whole number in the State they constitute 

 less than 5 per cent; sheep of English blood about 95 per cent. The 

 wool is 80 per cent clothing and delaine, such as is raised on a South- 

 down cross. At the sheep exhibit of the agricultural fair at Boston, 

 1889, there were 44 pens of Ootswolds, Hampshires, Shropshires, South- 

 downs, and Dorsets, aggregating more than 150 animals, but there was 

 not one Merino. 



The most profitable branch of sheep husbandry in Massachusetts at 

 the present day, and also the most fascinating because it requires skill in 

 management and pays handsomely, is the growing of early lambs for 

 market. For this purpose Ohio, Michigan, and Canada grade ewes are 

 bought late in summer or early in the fall and put to a Southdown, 

 Hampshire, or other ram of improved mutton breed. The ram chosen 

 stands wide on his legs, and the latter straight up and down, topped 

 with swelling quarters; thick through the heart; bright, game eyes. 

 Health, vigor, and muscle are deemed of paramount importance in both 

 the sire and dam of early market lambs, hence they should have all 

 the exercise obtainable within the limits of the farm. The ram is usually 

 fed well on oats, pumpkins, green corn fodder, or clover hay. The lambs 

 are dropped from January 1 to March 15; some growers have them 

 earlier. A grower in Franklin County presents the cost and returns 

 on early lambs : 



Keep of the ewe in summer $1. 00 



Keep of the ewe in winter 2. 50 



Feed for lamb $2. 00 to 5. 50 



Received for the lamb 7. 70 



Received for the ewe fleece 1. 60 to 9. 30 



There remained the old ewe with the manure. 



One of the most successful sheep breeders and importers of New 

 England is Mr. E. F. Bowditch, of Framingham, Mass. Mr. Bowditch 

 is also very successful in raising early lambs. He has a farm of 500 

 acres near South Framingham. In summer and early fall a flock or 

 flocks of sheep> aggregating about 600, have the run of the fields; in 

 winter they are driven into sheds. The sheds, two in number, and 350 

 and 270 feet long, are subdivided into pens, in each of which are 30 to 40 

 sheep. The sheds have also a number of box stalls for rams, ewes that 

 refuse to own their lambs, and sheep that need doctoring. In eonnec- 



