204 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The Morgan, or Yermoiit horse, answers our working, farm- 

 ing, or general purposes, better than any other that has appeared 

 in New England ; if it have a dash of the Messenger blood, or 

 of the Thoroughbred again infused, it might, probably, be some- 

 what improved now ; but, taking it as it is, those who have the 

 stock in perfection will hardly look for a better. 



In concluding these brief suggestions, we would recommend 

 that measures be taken by the society to have at its dis- 

 posal such a horse for the use of the county as will help to 

 improve our stock of horses generally, being convinced that it 

 would be a salutary measure, encouraging our farmers to 

 devote more attention to keeping up the breed of tliat animal, 

 ujton whose good qualities so much of pleasure, convenience, 

 and comfort depend. 



Arthur W. Austin, Chairman. 



SHEEP. 



ESSEX. 



Report of the Committee. 



xit the present time we cannot find sheep enough in tlie 

 county about which to make an interesting report, and if we 

 write, it must be about what has been, or what ought to be in 

 it. Fifty years ago nearly every farmer's family spun their 

 own yarn, and made the cloth for their own wear ; and while 

 this state of things existed, it was natural for each one to raise 

 their own wool. But the erection of factories, and the im- 

 proved method of making cloth, have stopped the sound of the 

 spinning-wheel and the loom in our kitchens, and driven the 

 sheep from our pastures. 



The idea has been prevalent, that if we did not want the 

 wool for our own families, it was more profitable to keep cows 

 than sheep. The merino sheep fever, which raged with such 

 violence in this county from 1812 to 181G, had an influence in 

 causing many farmers to give up their sheep. The interrup- 

 tion of commerce at that time, by the war with England, 

 caused the price of fine wool to rise ; many sold tiieir coarse- 



