SHEEP. 287 



dogs, less liable to disease, not so apt to ramble, and bringing 

 quicker returns are more profitable to moderate farmers. 



Then for mutton, the Merino ewe, at the age of six or seven, 

 becomes so broken-mouthed by the teetli breaking and wearing 

 up, that it is almost impossible to fatten her, even if her slender 

 and unprofitable frame was worth covering with fat, and she is 

 killed for the sake of her pelt, and what small amount of tal- 

 low she will render. The middle wools, however, when six 

 years old, are capable of being made into superb mutton, from 

 their great aptitude to take on fat ; and carcasses averaging 

 110 to 120 pounds at ten cents per pound, and a dollar for the 

 pelt, making twelve or thirteen dollars, show a handsome profit 

 on the expense of raising and fattening. These are probably 

 the considerations which have produced the change in sheep 

 husbandry in this country. Of the various breeds, probably 

 the South Down is at present the greatest favorite ; the Cots- 

 wold is larger with somewhat coarser staple, but shapes up 

 beautifully and fattens readily. We hope to see about here 

 some of the latter varieties, which seem to be adapted to our 

 purposes, as the New Oxfordshire Downs and the Shropshire 

 Downs, got by crossing the improved South Downs for a succes- 

 sion of years, with the Cheviot, the Suffolk, and Norfolk. It 

 is certain that there is no branch of agricultural pursuits 

 more profitable than the raising of sheep, prudently managed, 

 and it would be a most pleasant sight to see pens equally well 

 filled with fine, large sheep, as with cattle. 



This concludes our report of a most excellent show of stock. 

 We desire to express our thanks to the president, and your atten- 

 tive, efficient and able secretary, for kind attentions shown us. 



We have written perhaps more minutely and diffusely than is 

 usual, or perhaps than would be desired ; but the subject is an 

 engrossing one. Our agricultural societies are great institu- 

 tions, and our cattle shows the great holidays of the year, and 

 to complete this great system, we now need some well arranged 

 plan of agricultural education for farmers' sons, where they 

 might perfect themselves in this profession, the most honest and 

 honorable, the most healthy and happy of all callings, among 

 the sons of Adam. 



For the committee, 



James S. Grennell, of Greenfield. 



