SHEEP. 197 



more confidence in man, and that we may exert a more healthy 



influence over their dispositions and make them more what we 



desire in a horse. We see no reason why the number raised 



might not be greatly increased, the wants of the people more 



fully supplied, and, with due care and attention, the quality 



much improved. 



Miles Avery, Chairman, 



SHEEP. 



Martha's vineyard. 



From the Report of the Committee. 

 In the rearing of sheep, as in all other branches of husbandry, 

 the farmer has an especial regard to profit. It is true there are 

 instances where we find fancy farmers paying fancy prices for 

 fancy stock, without having regard to the question of profit and 

 loss, and who, when the balance is found to be on the wrong 

 side, will cheerfully put their hands in their pockets and square 

 the account. But with the class of farmers before whom this 

 report is likely to come, the great idea to be discussed is, How 

 shall sheep husbandry be made the most profitable ? In dis- 

 cussing this we will first take into consideration the local 

 conditions which have a direct or an indirect bearing upon 

 the subject. First, proximity to a market. Upon this will, 

 in a great measure, be determined the relative value to the 

 farmer of the strictly mutton sheep, which gives a large per 

 cent, of carcase in excess of wool, or the more strictly wool 

 sheep, which gives a large percent, of wool in excess of carcase. 

 The farmer who can in a few hours place his fat sheep and 

 Iambs in a good market, with the chance of a ready sale, may, 

 no doubt, with profit rear that breed of sheep which will give 

 him the most mutton. Another important condition which 

 affects this view of the case is the character of the farmer's 

 feed, or the capacity of his lands for raising fat mutton. If 

 his feed is not abundant and sweet he need not attempt the 

 producing of fat mutton as a specialty. This condition of feed 



