SHEEP. 3G3 



If farmers -would act in concert in this matter the risk of loss 

 from these nuisances would be very little, for the nuisances 

 themselves would be soon abated. The other objection is in- 

 sufficiency of fence. Formerly, when sheep in much larger 

 numbers than at present were kept in the county, our fathers 

 kept them within their own enclosures. It is but a poor com- 

 mentary on this age of improved farming to say that Ave can- 

 not keep in repair the fences which they built. And yet who- 

 ever travels over Essex County will be forced to admit its 

 truth. If our pastures are not fenced so as to secure sheep, 

 they ought to be. The improved breeds of sheep give us an 

 advantage in this respect, too ; for, being heavier than the old 

 racers, they do not leap fences half so readily, and arc, there- 

 fore, restrained with comparative ease. 



Every farm is not adapted to sheep-breeding. Those best 

 adapted to the purpose are where there is an extent of ele- 

 vated pasture such as we see in all parts of the county, being 

 overrun with moss and worthless bushes. The improvement 

 of such would add much to the agricultural value of the county. 

 In the opinion of your committee, the stocking of sheep would 

 bring about this result. 



In short, your committee recommend to every farmer, whose 

 land is adapted to them, to make trial of a few sheep. Give 

 them a fair chance in summer — bestow upon them moderate 

 care at all seasons; but at yeaning time give them your undi- 

 vided attention. Feed well afterwards, particularly if the 

 lambs are dropped early in the year; and we think they will 

 amply repay the pains and expense which may be bestowed 

 upon them. 



T. E. Paysox, Chairman. 



WORCESTER. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



« 

 The number and variety of this excellent and useful domes- 

 tic animal on exhibition were too limited to warrant an occasion 

 for boasting. It is hoped that the farming interest located in 

 the heart of the Commonwealth will look to it that stock so 



