The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-10-14
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
ON SHEEP.

~.
ON SHEEP.
The Committee on Sheep, having attended
to the duties of their appointment, Report
That the whole number of Merino Rams en-
tered for Premium was eight seven of which
they found in the pens. OF these, however,
two were in part of the Saxon breed ; and it
will be necessary for the trustees to determine
the question, if question there is, whether these
are included i'll the general description of Me-
rinos.
Mr.. William Williams exhibited FIVE rams,
only two of which were for premium, all of
which were fine animals, and he deserves enco-
MUM for the interest he has often given to
this part of our exhibition. Mr.. Edwin B.
Taintor offered a remarkably fine animal, which,
we understood, was raised in Connecticut, and
was, as we were informed of Saxon blood.
Mr.. Luke Baker of Rutland offered a achole
blooded merino ram which the committee con-
sidered the best of those which answered this
description Mr.. Moses B. Smiths ram was of
an excellent quality both as to the FORM size,
and the quality of his wool and Mr. Benjamin
N, Childss ram would have been considered
worthy of all praise, if it had not had to con-
tend with such rivals Mr.. John L. Bovlston,
who seems determined to be the first in all
kinds of agriculture, offered a ram of Saxon
half blood, and Capt. Amasa Whttemore of
Leicester, offered one of one quarter Saxon
blood, the residue merino which raised doubts
IN the minds OF the committee as to preference.
But pursuing the rules laid down for them,
they at last concluded that the ram of Mr..
Boylston was entitled to the premium for me-
rino rams, provided he was considered by the
society as coming within its rules.
or merno ewes, there were twenty three
offered for premium, and eight offered by Mr.
Williams for exhibition. The five extremely
fine animals of Mr. Edwin B. Taintor the COM
mittee felt themselves obliged to exclude from
the competition, because they were raised out
OF the State. Mr.. Benjamin N. Childs's four
sheep were OF beautiful figure and good size,
but the quality of their wool was inferior TO
that of the six sheep offered by Rejoice New
ton, Esq, and Mr.. Williams. The quality of
the wool OF Mr.. Newton's sheep considered
finer than that of Mr.. Williams, but having re-
gard to the fleece, size, and figure" of the
animals, the committee at last concluded that
Mr.. William Williams of Shrewsbury, was en-
titled to the premium offered for merino ewes,
it being for four out of the eight which he Of
fered for premium
There were taco lots of mixed merino ewes
offered for premium Five by Mr.. Nathaniel
&. Moore of Worcester, and two sheep and
eight lambs by Capt. Amasa Whittemoro of
Leicester. The lambs of Mr.. Whttemore
were the produce of four of his sheep, and
WHAT was IeindIhdDieJ all produced since inc
present year began, making an increase of
which any might be proud in these hard times
This flourishng little flock attracted the notice
OF every one who passed them, and we hope
MIR. Whlttemore will never be discouraged in
rearing sheep, since he has been favored with
even more than sixty fold in his increase, al
though the committee, regarding the quality of
the wool of Mr.. Moore's, felt compelled to
award to him the premium, which they accord
ingly did.
OF natire rams there were five offered for
premium. One by Mr.. Aaron Goodale of West
Boylston, one by John l.. Boylston, Esq, one
by Mr.. Asa Rice of West Boylston, and two
by George Maynard of Worcester, which were
twins six months old, and weighing 1913 and
ia pounds
The quality of the wool, and the size and
figure of all these animals were such as to give
their owners no cause to be ashamed of the
character and habits of our native flocks and
the wool of Mr.. Rices ram, as we'll as that of
Mr. Maynard's, might almost challenge COM
petition with that of the blood of Spain or
Saxony. The committee awarded to Mr.. May
nard the premium for native rams.
There were twenty nati0e o'oeS found in the
pens offered for premium, and six besides, ex-
h!bited by Mr.. Aaron Goodale. Mr.. Asa Rice
offered six exceedingly fine animals both as to
fineness of wool, size, and figure Mr.. George
Maynard offered four young sheep, whose wool
was of remarkably good quality. The four
offered by Mr.. Goodale for premium would,
against almost any other competition, have de-
served it. Mr.. John l.. Boylston offered six
and it was for some time doubt whether he
or Mr. Rice was entitled to the prize for
which both commended so well. The quality of
the wool, however, of Mr., Boylstons, was de-
cided to be superior to that of Mr.. Rice's, and
the premium was awarded to him.
In the flock offered by Mr.. Williams tho
committee were glad to observe a twin ram,
fifteen months old, which, with its mate, arc
the only descendants of the Devonshire Ram
which unfortunately died soon after arriving in
the country, which was presented to this socie-
ty by that distinguished benefactor Admiral
Coffin. II now weighs 1876 lbs, and though its
wool is long it is said to be excellent for worst
ed and stuff goods, and its meat to be Of fine
quality for the table. 1t belongs 10 Nathaniel
Howe, Esq, of Shrewsbury, and was offered by
him for exhibition only.
The committee were limited to one premium
only, to the various classes of animals which
they have named, or they would most cheer
fully have awarded to others, premiums which
they seemed so well to deserve
Compared with some former years, this exhi-
bition was considered decidedly superior, and
for the number of animals offered, at any rate,
II was such as would do credit to tho agrlcul-
tural character Of tho county. Twelve com.