734 [Assembly 



of the year to procure samples of avooI that will show the true char- 

 acter of the flock; I do not believe a more even flock of four hun- 

 dred sheep can be produced than mine, either as to size, build or 

 wool. Yet there is a difference in the length, thickness and quality, 

 of different sheep in my flock. I sold fifty bucks last April, which 

 went to Ohio, fc rty two of them lambs. I kept three for my own 

 use, of the lambs. They were May lambs, now sixteen months old, 

 they have not been shorn. I send you three samples taken from a 

 two year old before shearing. One sample, No. 1 from side. No. 2, 

 from the thigh; No. 3, from the hip, two inches above the gambril 

 joint. This buck is well built, no wrinkles or dewlop, he weighs 

 now one hundred and seventy-five pounds. The next samples are 

 from the yearlings; their respecti\e weights are 110, 121, 124; these 

 have never had a particle of grain of any description; they are re- 

 markably well built. I have this day sold one of these with nine- 

 teen buck lambs, to a gentleman from Michigan. No. 7 was taken 

 from a buck's fleece after it was shorn, and close up. I know not 

 from what part of the fleece it was taken; the weight of fleece about 

 seven pounds; weight of body in March, seventy-eight pounds. No. 

 8 from an old ewe that di d in good order in Februrary last, her 

 fleece well washed has generally gone 5 pounds, and raised a lamb. 

 No. 9, seven samples taken from difTerent fleeces as they are packed 

 in the wool room; these show the general complexion of my wool 

 before and after washed. My flock for the last fifteen years have 

 averaged over four pounds. I sold last year for forty cents per pound; 

 three hundred and fifty fleece averaged four pounds two ounces. My 

 present clip is unsold Manufacturers who have had my wool say it 

 will average about one fourth longer than lots in gereral. I have 

 for the last two years kept my sheep in a close shed. I wintered one 

 hundred and two Iambs last winter. There was not one sickly sheep 

 in the whole lot; tl.ey had nothing but hay; fodJered twice a day; 

 they had access at all times to good water and salt. I never salt 

 hay. Two hundred lambs and yearling ewes and wethers, on a space 

 of one hundred and six feet by fifteen, separated into three lots by 

 the racks from which they eat their fodder. I never had sheep win- 

 ter so well, only one died, and that in good order. I am satisfied 

 the wool is softer, stronger, and greater in quantity, by keeping the 

 sheep warm, and the savings of fodder and manure in this way, are 

 important items in the profits of sheep. I fear I have trespassed 

 too much upon your good nature. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



JOHN I. PETTIBONE. 

 T. B. Wakeman, Esq. 



