420 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



many thousands have died and are dying, greatly to the dis- 

 couragement of those who enterprised such a noble public 

 work, and to the people of the island. 



There is naturally much grass on the island, and in many 

 places where it had been sown after hoed or grain crops, 

 were fine fields of grass, which showed a soft, elastic feel 

 under the foot, indicating a good sod, and this is noticeable 

 all over the island, in fence corners and among the scrub 

 oaks so plentiful everywhere, showing a natural adaptability 

 for grass-growing wherever protected. 



I saw as thrifty and well filled young stock picking the 

 grass among these oaks as could be found in any pastures 

 on the main land. Sheep were also feeding and thriving. 

 Of all places in New England, I know of no spot where 

 sheep husbandry might be practised with equal ease and 

 safety and profit as on Nantucket, and the islanders them- 

 selves are the only ones who do not appreciate it. 



With no frost till the very last of November, and a good 

 bite of grass early in April, they ought to market one hun- 

 dred and twenty-five lambs to a hundred ewes at a great deal 

 less than it costs us in Franklin County. 



With so mild a climate, and good hay, and some grain, 

 they could easily have early lambs by Easter, worth $12 per 

 head, and from that till May many selling for $7 and $8 

 each — while their grass lambs, which would probably be 

 their best show, at $5 and $4 each, would get into market 

 fat a full month earlier than ours. 



In a county where they can pasture eight months out of the 

 twelve, the wool of a good flock of sheep will pay for their 

 keeping through the year, except a little extra feed for them 

 when with the lambs, so that, except for the natural deterio- 

 ration of the ewes, the lambs are almost a net profit. We, 

 in Franklin, would esteem ourselves fortunate with such a 

 climate and such pasturing. 



The show of stock opened on the society's grounds on a 

 somewhat clouded morning, which, however, developed into 

 a pleasant day. 



Of neat stock, the show was as I expected, and as it 

 should be there, largely composed of dairy stock, and very 

 good it was, though much of it in very thin condition, owing 



