74 



SIIEEP 



SHEEP. 



It seems to be an established fact that the the pas- 

 tures in this vicinity are not as good as they were once. 

 In them bushes and briars more easily take the places 

 of some of the best grasses; they need plowing oftener 

 and require larger applications of manure to make 

 them hold good, and it is said they need almost con- 

 stant care and labor to keep them from running out. 



As this is a matter in which all farmers are more or 

 less interested, your Committee deemed it of sufficient 

 importance to consider what bearing sheep husbandry 

 had on this subject, and therefore they made the 

 following inquiries of the principal sheep-raisers of 

 their acquaintance : 



1st. Is it better for pasture lands to have sheep kept 

 on them than any other kind of stock ? 



2d. Do you know from your own experience that 

 sheep will eradicate bushes or in any way improve the 

 pastures in which they are kept ? 



The answers which were received to the above 

 questions were prompt and sufficient, and as they contain 

 the views of practical men who have had long exper- 

 ience in the business, your Committee are pleased to 

 place them before the Society. 



Hosea M. Caswell, says : " I notice sheep always 

 rest on the highest parts of the pasture, and spend 

 more of the time on the hills than cattle, consequently 

 the manure is more evenly distributed. Sheep also 

 require such a variety of food they will even kill out 

 hardhacks and thistles." 



James Mclntire, says : " There is no stock like sheep 

 to renew old pastures. I know clover to come in and 



