The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-06-03

Weight of fleece, 18 pounds and Z ounces.
N. B. Conant Yearling Buck, weight be-
fore shearing, GA pounds. Weight of fleece,
pounds and ounces.
H. j. Noble, Three year old Buck, weight
before shearing, 125 pounds. Weight of
fleece, 16 pounds and ounces.
O. B. Higley, Five year old Buck, weight
before shearing, 112 pounds. Weight of
fleece, pounds and ounces.
A. V. Rudd, Farow Eve 6 years old,
weight before shearing, 1909 pounds. Weight
of fleece, 10 pounds and ounces. Do year
ling Eve, weight before shearing, 63 pounds.
Weight of fleece, pounds
w. A. Messenger, Four years old Eve
Weight of fleece, pounds and 2 ounces.
Several more sheep were upon the ground,
but it was thought best to delay their shear
ing until a warmer day-and Committee
was appointed to be present at such time as
the owner of the sheep desired, and report to
the Association. The Saturday following,
was named as the day-and the shearing re-
suited as follows:
Chaffee & Messenger, Buck monitor" 4
years old, weight before shearing, 1872 pounds.
Weight of fleece, 14A pounds.
J. L. Higley, Buck years old, weight be-
fore shearing, 1O2 pounds. Weight of fleece,
pounds and ounces.
W. A. Messenger, Yearling Eve, weight
before shearing, 81 pounds. Weight of fleece,
pounds and ounces.
A. V. Rudd, exhibited two lambs five
weeks old, weighing 81 and % pounds-from
the premium buck of Thos. Gorby, of Ran
dolph. W. A. Messenger lamb weeks
old, weighing % pounds, from the Buck
"Monitor.''
All of these sheep were fine wool, and it is
doubtful if any township can begin to equal
the display of choice stock made by the Wind
ham Wool Growers on this occasion. Many
County Fairs have failed to bring out sheep
possessing excellence so marked and worthy
of eommendation. The organization under
whose auspices the public shearing was con-
Quoted, has given a healthy impetus to the
wool interest of the township that must en-
to to their revenue from that source.
The following were selected as Shearers
and right skillfully did they handle the Mag
ic Shears: Marcus jackson. Wm. Goodsell
Francis Alderman, Justin Snow, Joseph Bir-
chard.
The day, as before mentioned, was too dis
agreeable for picnic, but the disappointment
likely to ensue on this account, was obviated
by the hospitality of the Messrs. Smith, who
placed their house at the disposal of the Com
pany. Two tables was set, and more gen.
erous provision for the wants of the inner
man could not have been presented. The
good housewives of Windham excel in the
culinary art, and the display of their skill and
good taste on this occasion added new lau-
rel to their already well-deserved fame. The
luxurious feast was honored by over hun
dred guests.
After the dinner song was sung by Mr..
and Mrs. n. B. Conant, and w. A. Messen-
ger, and the Rev. Hiram Bingham was called
out for few remarks The Company there
PhNSSLiO LIZ oes'Sa do Ohdu pOCb-
ed to see, but he was exceedingly gratifed
that so many could be gathered together up
on such an occasion. Wool growing was an
ancient occupation. Abel brought of his
foeks and made an offering unto the Lord
Cain brought of the fruits of the earth. The
term focks, as used in the Bible, means sheep
herds, cattle. Abraham, Isaac and jacob
were celebrated for the magnitude of theil
focks. Jacob sent as a present to Esau zoe
ewes and 20 rams, which gives us an idea o.
his wealth in flocks. When the Children Of
Isreal so found in Egypt, they followed theil
occupation and kept focks. They were na-
ton of shepherds. Homer alludes to the
keeping of flocks and the getting together Of
the shearers of sheep. The occupation wa.
an honorable one. In it we are associated
with Abraham. Isaac and Jacob. David who
had been keeping his flocks on the hills Of
Palestine was taken from the sheep-cotes and
made King of Israel. This occupation had
an influence upon the morals of the country
The sheep is an emblem of innocence, is of.
ten so mentioned in the Bible. The Lore
designated his blessed son as a Lamb. The
Savior gives as title to his people" My
sheep-they hear my voice." The influence
of such an occupation must be moral-the
people virtuous people by reason of engag
ing in. it. The speaker had heard that il
these latter days and times some painted thei
sheep and used other artificial means to make
them appear what they are not. He did no
| believe the ancient Patriarchs ever painted
| their sheep. Let us not know much of thi
this thing Be honest and honorable. LIE
us not bring odium upon the time honoret
occupation of Abraham, Isaac and Jacocb-
let the old calling remain without any stall
upon it. Wool growing had in all ages heel
useful and profitable. Dairying was not t.
! be compared with it on this point The for
| mer did not enrich the soil-quite the contra
| ry with the latter. People little knew tn
cause they had for engaging in this business
Additional value is entailed upon their land
and the longer sheep were kept, the more full
ly the fact would be developed
The Speaker was glad to see so many VIC
! men present-they were walking in the foot