352 
Annual Report of the 
SHEEP AND SWINE DEPARTMENTS. 
BY T. C. DOUSEMAN, SUPERINTENDENT. 
When I left the fair grounds on Tuesday morning (sick) most of 
the pens in .the sheep-department were filled or engaged. The 
sheep I saw (both fine and long wools) were the best I have ever 
seen at any fair in our state. I consider myself a good judge on the 
progress and improvement made in sheep-breeding, having been an 
early breeder and importer of sheep from Vermont, and a good pre¬ 
mium taker, both at state and county fairs and sheep shearing festi¬ 
vals. Then, a twelve pound buck or a six pound ew T e were the win¬ 
ning sheep, now, double that amount of wool must be shorn from a 
sheep or they are kept at home, not being worthy to enter the ring. 
Then, a farmer’s flock that averaged 3^ pounds was the banner flock, 
now, 6 pounds is only'an average. We have in Waukesha county 
a farmer whose flock of breeding ewes, eighty in number, sheared 
800 pounds of washed wool the past season. 
This change is wholly due to the gentlemen engaged in sheep 
breeding, and who are the prominent exhibitors at our fair. They 
merit the thanks of our society and of all that portion of the com¬ 
munity engaged in sheep husbandry, for the progress and improve¬ 
ment made by them. He who makes two blades of grass grow 
where only one did before, they sa} r should be thrice blessed, and I 
know not, why he who makes two ponnds of wool grow now, where 
only one did before, should not be equally blessed. 
The money for the wool-crop comes in just before harvest and 
comes in just at the right time to bridge over that span, “until af¬ 
ter harvest.” Western New York has taken the lead from Ver¬ 
mont in sheep-breeding, and I think the ti me is soon coming, when 
the star will travel west and our state will be the center of this 
great interest. We have the climate, food and breeders, with the 
taste, judgment and ability to make our state the attractive point 
for all who wish to buy good sheep and improve their flocks—we 
must help the breeders where we can, and we must also hold them 
