The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-11-02
COMMITTEES REPORTS,
ON SHEEP.

YIN CI1EEH.
The Committee to whom was assigned
the duty of awarding the premiums offered
by the Society for the various qualities and
kinds of Sheep-Report, that the appearance
of the several lots of sheep offered this year
for premium and for exhibition, is such as 20
warrant the Committee in remarking, that
there is evidently an increased degree of at
tention bestowed by our farmers upon the i'm
provement of their focks, both as it regards
the size of the sheep as well as the quality of
their wool. There is no one branch of our
domestic industry which bids fair at the pres
ent time to reward the farmer more richly
for his trouble, than that of wool growing
1t is one which our soil and climate and the
wants of the community point out as more
peculiarly appropriate for New England than
almost any other. In the offering of prem
ums for Rams, the Society have had regard
to their size as well as the fineness of their
fieeces. Deeming it to be an important con-
sideration that the sires of our f1ocks should
be possessed of all those qualities which it is
desirable to have combined in their offspring,
and which the experienced wool grower
finds to be most conducive to the obtaining
quantity as well as quality of product
Considering wool growing, at the present
time, as an essentially important item in the
great scheme of American domestic industry
as well as the source of considerable emol-
ument to the farmer, and great in proportion to
the capital invested and the actual labor ex-
pended, much attention may well be bestow-
ed in improving the quality as well as in
creasing the numbers of our fiocks. Fine
wool commands the highest price in the
market at all times, and a flock of sheep
producing the first rate of wool requires no
more care and attention, and consumes no
more of the produce of the soil than one
yielding fieeces of an inferior grade. If
profit then, be an inducement to stimulate
the enterprise and exertions of our farmers,
the growing of fine wool is business which
they will find it for their interest to devote
more of their time and attention than they
have done for some years past. Our steep
and rocky hills which are too rough for prof
liable cultivation, seem to be peculiarly ap-
propriate and fit for rearing sheep, and the
climate of this section of the United States is
favorable for growing fine wool.
The committee could with much pleasure
enlarge upon the utility and profit of wool
growing to farmers of New England, and
the probability that it will soon become
staple product of her soil, but time wears
apace and upon this occasion they would
only beg leave to suggest in conclusion that
1t has appeared to them that some OF our
farmers in selecting sheep from their flocks
for exhibition, have had regard more 10 the
tdtness of the animals than to the fineness of
their feeces. 1t will be found, they believe,
upon careful examination and comparison,
that the ,tattest sheep in flock, all of the
same breed, do not usually bear the finest
f1eeces.
In awarding the premium " for the best
merino ram, regard being had both 10 fleece
and size," the committee hesitated for some
time between the one offered by Rejoice
Newton, Esq. of Worcester and the one of
fered by Mr.. William Williams of Shrews-
bury, they considered that of Mr.. Newton as
having the finest wool of the two, though
there was but little difference in this respect
between them, in point of size and fine shape
the committee considered Mr.. Williams
Ram TO be decidedly superior to any of the
full blooded Bucks offered for premium.
They have awarded the premium for the
best merino Ram of seven dollars to W1lLiGn
Williams of Shrewsbury. Mr.. Williams has
for these 10 years past bestowed great atten-
ton upon improving his flock of sheep.
The premium " for the best merino ewes
net less than a i'll NUMBER of SO, the com.
mittce have awarded to the lot exhibited by
Mr.. Edwin b. Taintor of Brookfeld Mr.
Taintor being one of the members of the
committee it is proper TO remark, that il
awarding the premiums upon merno eve:
he took no part; they were awarded by the
other gentlemen of the committee after ;
careful examination and comparison of the
merits of the several lots.
"For the next best lot of merino ewes no
less than in number" the committee hay,
awarded the premium of "a to Rejoic,
Newton, Esq. of Worcester.
"For the best lot of mixed merino shecl
not less than 5 in number, either ewes O
wethers, regard being had to the quality @
fleece for the grade" For this premium
there was but one lot of sheep entered, an
those by Mr.. Benjamin N. Childs of Wol
cestcr, which were considered by the con
mittee us well deserving Of the premium
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