No. 123.] REPORT OF COMMISSIONER. 27 



Recess Commission on Sheep Industry, Agriculture and 

 Related Matters. 



The Legislature of 1918 appointed a Recess Commission on 

 Sheep Industry, Agriculture and Related Matters, the purpose 

 of this commission being a thorough investigation of the feasi- 

 bility of re-establishing sheep in our State. 



The commission has traveled to all sections of the State, and 

 has held quite a number of hearings, in order to get at the 

 views of the people. One trip has been made to Maine in order 

 to see a large flock of sheep kept there under typical New 

 England conditions. A thorough study of the situation from 

 all standpoints is being made by the commission, and it is 

 hoped that a comprehensive report will be made upon which 

 the foundation of a new sheep industry can be laid within our 

 State. 



Your commissioner has placed before this commission plans 

 which he believes will go a long way toward assisting in the 

 general development of this industry, and which, while it 

 involves some expense to the State, is in the line of direct aid 

 and assistance to the sheep breeder. The following is an outline 

 of these plans : — 



Outline of 15,000 Plan. 



The sum of $5,000 to be used in sheep work for State. 



Divide State into three sections with sheep man for each section : — 



First section, four western counties. 



Second section, Worcester, Middlesex, Essex counties. 



Third section, Bristol, Plymouth, Norfolk, Barnstable and Dukes 

 counties. 



In each county have headquarters on a reorganized sheep farm where 

 owner is practical sheep man. Have owner act as agent for Department. 



Qualifications of Owner of Farm. — First, must be practical sheep man; 

 second, must own small flock; third, must be interested in sheep and a 

 successful breeder; fourth, must be willing to help in sheep problems. 



What the Farm will be. — First, headquarters of the agent in the county; 

 second, open for inspection by farmers at all times; third, should have 

 fairly good buildings and equipment for sheep industry; fourth, telephone 

 connections. 



It should be the purpose of the Department to establish at all these 

 farms, places of exchange for sheep, lambs, rams and wool. While the 

 Department would not attempt to actually open a market at these places, 

 it should be a part of the plan to keep on hand a list of the sheep, etc., for 



