48 



N. B. Turner of Great Barrington thinks sheep can be kept with profit. They 

 need much attention during lambing, but the rest of the time cause very little 

 trouble. They will benefit a pasture, and will eat weeds, golden rod, shrubs, &c., 

 and leave manure more evenly spread than a cow. The grass comes in very even, 

 and the turf very thick. Thinks he can keep six or seven sheep for one cow. 



President Smith stated that from his experience he had found that thirteen 

 sheep ate less than two cows. 



J. A. Khne found his sheep cost him $1.20 per head for seven months of the 

 year, and $3. no for the whole year. The wool averaged 4j pounds per head, and 

 the lambs sold for $4.20 each. His profits were $2.22 per head annually. Thinks 

 the manure well pays for the care of sheep, including washing, feeding, &c. Ke- 

 plying to an inquiry he said, the time of maturity should be two years old. 



Gershom Fitch considered a fine grade best to produce wool. He used to get 

 75 to 85 cents per pound. His present flocks were from well selected Canada 

 sheep, which ai-e large, with heavy coarse wool, and constitution like a Canada 

 horse, crossed with a heavy Merino buck from Vermont, and their ewes^ with Cots- 

 wold, thus getting a combing wool which was best in the market and the most in 

 demand. His flocks average eight pounds to the fleece. For market, get best 

 South Down Buck, will mature quicker, but does not consider any pure blood 

 adapted to our climate. All Enghsh sheep are bred with great care, but doesn't 

 consider them as good as ours. 



L. K. KUne and James Bullard spoke, indorsing what had been said. T. L. 

 Foote said a few sheep in a cow pasture will improve it, and that 15 or 20 sheep 

 might be turned in with as many cows without extra cost, and still improve the 

 pasture. In Canada sheej) are kept in small flocks mostly. 



Leonard Tuttle said for many years he had kept 100 or 500 sheep, but they 

 became diseased, and run over the pastures. He changed to keeping 15 to 65 

 cows, which he finds more profitable ; but he is well situated for it, hving near the 

 depot and near the factory. He received from milk sent to New York in one year 

 $1,377, averaging $105 per cow. He could not have kept 800 sheep on the land 

 the cows were kept on. Large flocks of sheep will not do as well, neither will 

 large herds of cows, with the same amouut of grain, too. 



Mr. Mackie recommended South Down as the best for mutton. In Eng- 

 land, where all kinds are kept, the South Down is preferred. The meeting was 

 then dissolved. , ,: . 



FIFTH INSTITUTE. 

 The fifth Institute was held at the Town Hall in Great Barrington, on 

 Wednesday, November 17, 1880. The following account of it is taken from The 

 Berkshire Courier. 



"The second Farmers' Institute of the Housatonic Agricultural Society, for 

 1880, held in the Town hall of this village, on Wednesday of last week, was at- 

 tended only by a small number. The meeting was called to order at eleveu o'clock 

 by President Henry L. Smith. Mr. J. H. Rowley of Egremout read a communi- 

 cation from James S. Grinnell, of Greenfield, recommemding the holding of a 

 three days' meeting, or Union Institute of the three agricultual societies of the 

 county, at Pittsfield during the winter. This proposition gave occasion for con- 

 siderable discussion, but it was at last decided that such a scheme was impracti- 

 cable for the present, and, in place of it, it was voted that the Housatonic Society 

 should hold a Union Meeting with the Berkshire Society, at Lee, on some day in 

 December. 



Mr. Rowley then spoke of *'The Benefits derived from Agricultural Societies." 

 He said that he had not time to treat the subject in its whole length and breadth, 

 but would confine himself to making a few general statements. As he understood 

 the definition the term agricultural society, included horticultural societies, board 

 of agriculture, and all other organizations which, to an equal extent, represent the 

 interests of farmers. Notwithstanding the very evident benefits of agricultural 

 societies there are many men who maintain that they do not pay, in other words 

 that they do not give a sufficient return for the money expended in running them. 



