WOOL growers' association. 397 



ing wool growers of the country, besides there were 220 gentlemen present repre- 

 Benting the manufacturers of the United States. A. committee was also appointed 

 to attt-nd Congress and get it through. 

 The resolution was adopted. 



The committee on programme made the following report : 



1. President's address. 



2. "What Relation Should Sheep Husbandry Sustain to Mixed Farming." 

 Hon. Charles Howland, Indianapolis. 



3. " The Present Outlook of Sheep Husbandry, and Can it be Made Profitable 

 at Present Prices of Wool and Mutton to Farmers of Indiana?" Hon. Thomas 

 Nelson, Blooraingdale Indiana. 



4. " Preparing Sheep and Lambs for Market." A. C. Eemy, Indianapolis. 



5. "Distinguishing Characteristics of the Southdowns, Oxforddowns and 

 Hampshiredowns." Mortimer Levering, Lafayette, Ind. 



6. "Influence of Climate, Feed and Shelter on the Growth and Fiber of Wool." 

 J. R. Tomlinson. 



7. The Shropshire Downs; their origin, together with their adaptation to the 

 wants of the sheep raisers of Indiana. J. L. Thompson, Arcana, Ind. 



s. w. dungan, 

 Thomas Nelson, 

 .John B. Harkless, 



Committee. 



Mr. MerriU. The Merino fleeces will shrink from 70 to 80 per cent. We have 

 several samples sent us from Illinois and other States. 



Mr. . Is it best to shelter wool or not? 



Mr. Merritt. My observation is that the sheltering of wool as practiced is 

 injurious, but I can not see but that a moderate amount of shelter from the 

 severest storms would be beneficial. Anything that keeps the sheep healthy will 

 improve the quality of wool, and anything that injures the sheep will also affect it. 

 Sheep when sheltered are liable to get too hot, the wool is generally weak and 

 tender, breaking easily, and unfit for combing purposes. Sheds, where they can 

 get under and out at will, would probably bt better. 



Mr. Howland. Have you had any experience with any of those extra fine 

 fleeces from sheep not permitted to go into the weather at all? Have you had 

 any of that kind of wool under your treatment? 



Mr. Merritt. Yes ; they are immense in the way of shrinkage ; the fiber is not 

 materially hurt. 



Mr. Mitchell. I take good care of my sheep; I do not compel them to go into 

 the barn unless they want to. I have shelter easy of access, and they go and come 

 at their will, and when a storm comes they are sure to run there. I think this is 

 probably the best plan for sheltering sheep. A sheep has a wo'nderful instinct. 

 It is remarkable to read of some in Scotland protecting themselves under snow- 

 drifts, and finding feed when the snow is deep. They can always find shelter. I 

 think it is better to let them go to shelter when nature says go. What we want is 



