The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-11-06
Worcestr County Agr1-
cultral Society.
Report ofBse Committee on Sheep.

report q he Committee on Sheep.
The Committee to examine and re-
port premiums for Sheep, recommended
the following premiums =
To William lincoln, of Worcester for
the best Mrino Ewes, $40
To John DAYS, of Worcester, for the
second besi 3
To Levi Liuoln, fer the only Merino
Wethers exhibited, A
To Ezra Bige1w, Of West Boylston, for
the best lotof mixed Merino Ewes, s
There WIS but one Merino and one
Native Ran entered.-The Merino had
before received first premium, and
was not considered as entitled to anoth-
er.. The Native Ram was not Judged
worthy of apremium-much less COM
petition was apparent in this department
of the exhibition, than its importance
demands. II is greatly to be lamented
sess TO do ourselves justice in this branch
OF agriculture. there should be such a
meagre exhibition of Sheep. 1t cannot
be attributed to want of patronage
from the society-the premiums offered
are liberal. To what then can it be
attributed, but neglect TO avail our
selves OF one Of the richest resources
of agricultural economy 4? Each sue
cessIVe exhibition has witnessed pro-
gressive Improvement in cur Neat
Stock and Swine, much TO the credit of
The County, and greatly to the advan-
tage of individuals whose efforts we
believe have been amply rewarded
1t may, however, be asserted with con-
fidence, thatno portion of the American
continent, perhaps 20 quarter of the
globe, Is more favourable to the culture
of Sheep, than New-EngIand. That
section, comprising the County of Wor-
cester, is at least, as favourable for tile
propagation Of Sheep as other stock;
and, with little exertion, we might
he as distinguished for our Sheep as our
Cattle. We cannot but feel regret al
the neglect Of this kind ofstock; though
a retrospective view Of the state of our
agriculture and manufactures, may have
some effect TO diminish our surprise.
And, notwithstanding, the Committee
think there is a general want of atten-
ton very apparent in this branch of hus-
bandry, they are not disposed to ascribe
it to any improper prejudice in the pub
lick mind. The Committee are well
aware, that, till within few wears.
there was little or no inducement 10 Gull
tivate large focks Of Sheep-we had
no considerable manufactures of our
own, which could afford regular and
constant market for wool. A few sheen
only were necessary to supply all the
wool for household use-to fatten for
the shamblcs was consequently the far
mer's principal object aud resource
When we consider that the fleece makes
an annual return, almost equal TO the
value of the carcass, while the carcass.
like the fee, can only be once sold, and
not forgetting that it was the invariable
practice Of the drover and butcher TO
select the best framed and finest wooled
sheep, we cannot mistake the cause of
he degeneracy Of our native Sheep.
The temporary spring, which our ne
'essitles gave to our manufactures, dur
ny the last war, began TO invite the at
ention Of our citizens TO this subject
md the Introduction of that invaluable
'reed of Sheep, the merino, about the
anne time, seemed to promise consid-
'rable extent and permanency to this
pecies Of .husbandry. But the return
II peace was followed with such inn