PKOCEBDINGS. 67 



We found our new pens Tery convenient, and the admiration of all. On ac- 

 count of the rain and rush on Sunday and Monday, it was thought best not to try 

 to clasnify the different breeds, which caused some inconvenience to the jiid^es, but 

 we got along very well and did our work as well as possible. The plan of using 

 one expert committeeman on Poland Chinas, gave good satisfaction, and enabled 

 as to get through with our work on time. The exhibitors were all courteous, whicii 

 made our work a pleasure. 



SHEEP DEPARTMENT. 



T. W. W. SUNMAN, SUPERINTENDENT. 



Mr. President — I report as follows: The exhibit at the fair of 1884, in this 

 department, was the best it probably ever was. The number of sheep shown was 

 not so great as in some years, but the class was far superior to any previous exhi- 

 bition. Taking into consideration the drawbacks attending sheep husbandry, it is 

 almost a wonder that there are any sheep raised at all ; but luckily for the sheep 

 they have fallen into the hands of gentlemen who have more energy and pluck 

 than the breeders of any other class of live stock, and are bound to succeed in spite 

 of the drawbacks. 



The show of fine wools was fully up to previous years. We are sorry to say, 

 however, that Indiana was poorly represented — Ohio, Illinois, and other States 

 furnishing the majority. Southdown^ were good and attracted considerable atten- 

 tion. They were exhibited by parties from a number of- States. Cotswolds were 

 good, but few in number, while some of the other long wools, Leicesters, etc., were 

 conspicuous by their absence. 



Shropshires at^^icted attention for the reason that they are a worthy breed, and 

 were fine specimens ; but the breed that attracted the most attention was (he 

 Oxfords, several yearling ewes being on exhibition that weighed over 300 pounds ; 

 one two year old ram weighing 420 pounds. They are a hardy sheep, dark faces, 

 good medium wool, and we are told make mutton of a superior quality. 



The expert, or one judge plan, was tried this year in all classes, and the 

 decisions seemed to give general satisfaction to the exhibitors and the public. 



