The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-07-25
Agricultural Department..
Cos,pbofrb sS ALaEar ouAfMAs
THIRp,PAPER.

THIRp,rArER, sA~srI
In this paper We propose to notice
the improvement made from 1885 to
1916. This decade is marked one in
the history of the improvement of mer.
inc sheep; although the improvements
were not as great as during some de-
csdes that Followed, the foundation for
the great improvements were laid dur
/ ng this period; it was also about the
commencement of this decade that most
breeders found the great mistake they
had made in introducing Saxony blood
into their focks, and such as could, re-
t'ate their steps, and saved what full
blood Spanish stock they may have had
len. But perhaps one of the most re-
markable events of those years was the
commencement or foundation of some
OF. the most celebrated fiocks; the
breeders Of which afterwards became
famous among the greatest improvers
Of merino Sheep, and the Introduction
into our state of many of the sheep that
proved so potent in making subsequent
improvements.
We had the Jarvis and the Cook sheep
before 1882, but the great improve
ments effected by crossing the two fam
lilies or flocks became apparent about
the commellcemento OF the decade under
consideration, and it was during the
same years that the Rhode Island and
Atwood sheep were introduced, that
made such great improvements upon
the flocks of Vermont that were already
established, and furnished the, blood for
the foundation of those that have since
become famous. itutt
Eber r. Murray, Augustus Munger,
a man by the name of Bundy brought
about 100 merino sheep from Newport,
r. l., to Whiting, VT, in 1885, and
from these sprung the Cutting flock.
David and Charles B. Cook, of Char
lotte. W. S. 4 E. Hammond, Middle
bury, and II. p. Hall CT Cornwall, in
troduced the Atwood sheep into Addi-
son and Chittenden counties between
1885 and 1916. Merrill Bingham, A. L.
Bingham, l.. Skinner and others also
introduced merino sheep from the states
of Connecticut Rhode Island and Mas
achusetts between 1885 and 1915.
Jarvis, the Riches and the Beedles
had been known as sheep breeders pre-
vious to 1885, but between that time
and 1856 the names of Tyler, Stickney,
w. r. Sanford, David and German
Cutting, L. G. Remele, Prosper Eli
tharp, Merrill and A. L. Bingham, L.
ID. Gregory, S. w. Jewett David and
Charles B. Cook, w. S. and Edwin
Hammond, r. P. Hall, Jesse Kinds,
George Campbell, M. VIC. Wright and
some others came into prominent notice
as introducers, breeders or improvcrs
of merino sheep. AS we said before,
the decade was more marked by the
foundations laid and flocks commenced
from which subsequent improvements
were made, than in the improvements
themselves actually effected during the
same time; these movements evinced
the spirit of inquiry and investigations
that was a marked indication of the
progress and improvements that were
so sure to follow, and which have been
the means Of the extraordinary results
since reached.
AS to what was accomplished during
this decade we may instance the names
Hero, Fortune and Black Hawk as i'm
provements made by crossing Jarvis
rams upon Rich stock by Tyler Stick
ney of Shorehain. Little Ram, At
wood, Cook Ram and some others were
bred by Stephen Atwood, the names OF
which appear SO often, we might say
always, in the pedigrees of the best
best stock rams of modern times. The
pedigrees of all these rams, and por-
ton of their histories will be found
among the first numbers OF the list of
stock rams in the register of the Ver-
mont Merino Sheep Breeders Associa-
ton. 4t.
They were all heavier shearers and in
most respects superior to the ram Con-
sui, plate of which was given in our
paper the Goth nit.
We regret that we have no plates of
any of these rams or any Of the sheep
bred during the years we are consider
ing.