The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-06-07
SHEEP SAEARI.N'G EESTII:AL
1T THE NORTON Farm
~ TEI.9S.

D. Annual sheep -shearing festivals are OF eca
paratively !recent origin and to those not On
gagged in vool-growing not especially enter
tanning, except for the excellency OF the die
: furnished 30 abundantly by the farmers wive
and daughters. But to those who aspire I,
grow the bes. carcass, and the finest wool. anC
the greatest amount of wool to weight of car
cass, these festivals are almost necessity
They also furnish an excellent opportunity for
the exhibition OF agricultural tools in the sea
son OF their use, and manufacturers gladly avail
themselves or the opportunity thus Afforded
The day was exceedingly fine, except for the
chlllIness OF the atmosphere occasioned by the
previous days rain, and at an early hour every
road leading to the farm OF Mr.. Morton was
hlled with carriages, all tending toward the
focal point OF interest, until every available
space in the capacIous yard was occupied with
teams. careful count o. the seating capacity
or the carriages, and estimating the number
VINO came by trains and on foot the number
present was very accurately figured at six
hundred. The increasing interest in the grow
ing OF tine WOOL in our vicinity is surely indi-
Gated by the crowd OF our best farmers focking
to such festival. No ordinary picnic gather
ing Will entice men with plenty OF york on hand
to ride ten or twenty miles for general hand
shaking and the eating OF sugar-coated dys-
pepsla. Some practical information Is there to
be gained in one OF the leading branches of
Michigan agriculture, and ali are ANXIOUS to be
ny with the times in that particular branch.
Nineteen sheep were shorn, all claiming to
be thorough bred. Several entries were made
that we're not tested for want OF time. The
heaviest fleece shorn was that of G. f. far
rngton. OF Paw Paw, buck years old-2S14ibs.
The next heaviest was that of p Einckley. OF
Antwerp, buck yrs. old-22sllbs. But simply
the weight OF the fleece did not prevail with the
committee in determining the premiums The
sheep competing were divided INTO three class
es. viz: three years old and upwards. two. and
one year Odds. and their merits as stock getters.
as appeared from their general form and make
up, often determined the result As result
OF this last consideration Mr.. Gillespie. of Ant
werp, received first and second premiums on
bucks three years old. Mr. Harrington took
first premium over Mr.. Hinckley. the latter re-
Il.
weight OF fleece, 1874 lbs. Hinckley buck weight.
l52 lbs; weight OF fleece, 22sI lbs The weight
OF fleece as compared with the carcas was slight
lyIIn favor Of the Hinckley buck. but the appear
ancs OF the wool turned the scale against him.
In the class OF enc year Odds four entries we're
made, c. T. Rswson, OF Paw Paw, resslving let
and f. B. WEIGH, Of Antwerp, the I'd. with tie
weight OF heece-12x lbs. sach-but With a
difference Of twelve pounds in weight of car
cass in favor of the Rswson buck. G. +. Hsr-
rington took both 1st and I'd premiums on
'wes yrs. and over; E. B. welch 1st on yrs.
Did, also on yr. old, the weight of wool being
Is lbs; c. p. Rawson took I'd, weight of fleece
y lbs.
The following Is the record OF entries. with
he age, weight OF sheep. and weight OF fleece