ESSEX SOCIETY. 11 



Dr. K. gives his sheep no grain, but the lambs as much meal 

 as they will eat. His preference is for the largest Leicester 

 sheep, and the pure South Down buck. 



In conclusion, the committee cannot but say they are im- 

 pressed painfully with the fact that so little attention is paid to 

 sheep husbandry in our county. They are also painfully struck 

 with the idea, that of the 5,000 sheep in the county, there 

 should have been the representatives of two little flocks only. 

 We hope for better things next year. But few of our farmers, 

 it is true, can, like Mr. Jewett, of Middlebury, Vermont, ex- 

 pend $30,000 for French sheep, even if they should shear 

 twenty pounds of wool apiece, like his ; but every one who 

 keeps a cow or two, may keep sheep enough for the stocking 

 yarn of himself and his family. For, according to the idea of 

 the late lamented Asa T. Newhall, every pasture will carry as 

 many sheep as it now does cows, in addition to the cows, 

 without sensible loss to them. 



The following letter, received previous to the show, by the 

 chairman, from Mr. Page, a member of the committee, is 

 appended to the report, and will be regarded as the most im- 

 portant part of it. 



David Choate, Chairman. 



Nathan Pag-e^s Letter. 



Danveks Port, 9th Mo. 8th, 1852. 



Friend Choate: — Thy letter of the 31st ult. was duly 

 received. To thy request for information on sheep hus- 

 bandry I must reply, that I have had no experience in the 

 business in this county or State. Sixteen years ago I kept 

 sheep in the State of Vermont. I will offer some remarks on 

 my method then and there, but cannot promise that they will 

 contain much important information. 



For about fourteen years, while living in Addison county, 

 in that State, I paid some attention to wool-growing. The 

 sweet pastures on the highlands near the mountains, are excel- 

 lent for sheep, and the cold climate is admirably adapted to 

 the growth of the finest wool. 



