SECRETARY'S REPORT. 125 



and more evenly ; but they leave it more unevenly than horned 

 cattle. They pile it up where they stay every night, and they 

 stay at least one year in pretty much the same spot ; and that is 

 generally near the highest point. That is some advantage, for 

 it washes to lower ground. But it often goes off in a heavy 

 shower in channels, where it does not do much good. 



Mr. Keith, of Grafton. — If you wished to raise a good 

 orchard, would you put sheep among young trees ? 



Mr. Smith. — No. They will gnaw or bunt off the bark. 



Mr. Keith. — It is a favorite idea in Worcester County, espe- 

 cially in Grafton, that sheep will eat up the wormy apples and 

 do good. 



Mr. Smith. — They will get fat on apples ; but I should rather 

 turn hogs in. 



Mr. Davis, of Northborough. — Did you notice whether, if you 

 raised your ewe lambs that were from sheep producing twins, 

 they were any more likely to produce twins ? 



Mr. Smith. — No. I think high feeding is more likely to do it. 

 Merinos do not often produce twins. The Cotswolds are very 

 apt to have twins, and I judge it is from high feeding. I rather 

 have one good lamb than two middling ones. As a general 

 thing, Merino sheep are not milkers, and do not give milk to 

 raise two. 



Mr. Davis. — How do you protect yourself from dogs ? 



Mr. Smith. — We do not often get sheep killed by dogs. 



A Member. — Do you apply to the county commissioners ? 



Mr. Sjmith. — I should if my loss had occurred since they were 

 appointed. 



Hon. Veloeous Taft, of Upton. — I see a gentleman present 

 who used to raise sheep before you and I, Mr. President, were 

 born ; and I shall take the liberty to call upon that gentleman 

 to give his experience. If he sees fit to do so, it will be, I 

 think, a great pleasure to the Board. He has done much to 

 improve the agriculture of the county and of the State. I will 

 suggest the name of Ex-Governor Lincoln, and ask him to give 

 some of his views on sheep raising. 



Ex-Governor Lincoln. — I came in here, Mr. President, to 

 take a very humble seat, rather with a view of showing my respect 

 to the object of the association which has convened here, than 

 any other purpose, except it be, in my old age, to get some 



