REPOETS. 



REPORT OF JUDGE ON SHEEP EXHIBIT. 



The exhibit of sheep at your recent Fair was remarkably good, 

 both ill point of numbers and of excellence. I think in comparing 

 this with past years, and considering the depression in wool and con- 

 sequently in all products of the sheep industry, that your society is 

 to be congratulated on the interest awakened among sheep owners of 

 the vicinity. The accommodations were more than full, and the 

 quality of the exhibits was bettei' than any I have ever seen at Amherst. 

 Including the valuable flock of Southdowns from the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural College, which did not compete for premiums, there were, 

 about 12.5 sheep shown, representing the Southdown, Hampshire- 

 down and Shropshire-down breeds. 



The Southdowns led in numbers, though the largest flock, owned 

 by Mr. L W. West of Hadley, was one of Hampshire-downs. Prof. 

 J. W. Clark of North Hadley showed some exceptionally tine Shrop- 

 shires, the latter being directly from imported stock, and they 

 bespeak Prof. Clark's skill in selecting and good judgment in breed- 

 ing this class of fai-m animals. Mention must also be made of a 

 ram owned and exhibited by Mr. J. McQuestion of Hadley. Such 

 an animal is seldom seen at our small county fairs, nor, in fact very 

 often seen at all, and it is a real pleasure to the lover of fine stock to 

 look at such an animal. 



The sheep industry seems to be at a rather low ebb at present 

 throughout the country, and it is not strange if farmers do not main- 

 tain their flock under the existing circumstances, but the old maxim 

 says "It's safe to plant cheap seed," and it is very reasonable for 

 New England sheep breeders to expect better times ere long. When 

 properly managed, there is almost no branch of the livestock indus- 

 try so certain of fair profits as the breeding and feeding of sheep. 

 The markets are seldom closed to wool at fair prices, and the raising 

 and feeding of early lambs is a certain source of income to the farmer 

 and that at a time when there is comparatively little else to turn into 

 money. Moreover, sheep require little care as compared with dairy 



