62 ON SHEEP. 



two years old. I think they do not come to their great- 

 est maturity till still older. I attribute the strength and 

 activity of my lambs more than any thing else, to the 

 age of the male, which was with the sheep, which I 

 think, ought never to be less than four years, and still 

 older, I think is better. I think, at eight years of age 

 they are best. 



My pasture is high ground, not very rich, not better 

 adapted to sheep than most farms in the county. Sheep 

 pastures should be fenced with a rail or board fence ; 

 mine is mostly wall, with a pole, or rider on the top. — 

 Fetters are injurious, as is well known. 



My lambs were sold, most of them, on the 10th of 

 June last, at two dollars. By taking them away thus 

 early, the dams soon became in better plight, and apart 

 of them, on and after the 10th of August, yeaned the 

 second time ; these lambs also came strong and lively, 

 one of which with its dam, as a sample of my flock of 

 sheep, is exhibited here for your examination. 



The part of my flock only that yeaned a second time, 

 were with the male in the months of March and April, 

 and I have no reason to doubt, had the others been in 

 company, they would also have produced a second crop 

 of lambs. Thence to February and March next, will 

 give about the same length of time for gestation as at first. 



My sheep are about one quarter blood Merino with 

 the native. The product of wool this season, was from 

 four to five pounds per fleece. 



I have found my sheep to be by far the most profita- 

 ble stock I keep ; and intend another season to increase 

 my stock to 40 or 50, which I consider a suflicient num- 

 ber to be kept in one flock. 



JOSEPH MARSHALL. 



Ipswich, Sept. 26th, 1843. 

 Then the above named Joseph Marshall personally 

 appeared and made oath, that the foregoing statement, by 

 him subscribed, is true, before me. 



TEMPLE CUTLER, Just. Peace. 



