Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-26
EXHIBITING SHEEP AT THE FAIRS.

relating to the agricultural interest," Will pe
found under this head.
EXHIBITING SHEEP AT THE FAIRS.
At meeting of the Board of Agriculture,
held Immediately after the State Fair last
fall. resolution was passed "that no sheep
be admitted to competition at the fair with
blankets on, or that had been blanketed since
last shearing." The Secretary was instructed
to notify sheep-breeders of the resolution.
The action of the Board in this respect has
giyen rise to considerable discussion, which
we are permitted to publish for the benefit of
the sheep and wool interest. The discussion
is in shape Of letters to the Secretary in an
swer to the notice required by the Board.
One correspondent exhibitor writes as fol-
lows:
most heartily approve of the resolution
passed by the Board / wish the same could
he done with cattle. This blanketing is
wrong in both cattle and sheep; but unless
Won put exhibitors under oath you will find it
difficult to learn whether they have been
blanketed or not. AS to sheep, you ask my
opinion as to how they ought to be CLASH
fed, etc. l think you have made too many
classes.
First think all merino sheep should be
in one class; say Spanish, French and Sile-
sian. [ see no reason why they should not
be in one and the same class. | don't think
YOU can find three focks of the French and
Silesian sheep in the State. This shows
they are not the sheep generally adapted to
this country.
Second-I would put the Shropshire downs
and South-downs in the same class. as they
are both down sheep The Shropshire downs
have only been in this country few years,
and from the experiments | have made L
think they are the best cross that can be
made with the Spanish merino, and | think
they will prove to be the second most valua-
BILE sheep for this country, next to Spanish
merinos. They are an improved South
down. 1 had inquiries last fall for more
than 800 South-down bucks.
Third-A cross between thoroughbreds of
any kind and thoroughbreds of any kind and
grades. This will give sheep men a chance to
experiment on and see which is the best cross.
This of course, is a very important item with
sheep-men.
Fourth-Sweepstake class. In this think
you ought to offer a first and second premi-
UNI for the best eve or ewes of any age or
breed. You might make it pen of three or
five.
AS to the Cotswold, Leicestershire and Lin.
colnshire, don't believe they are adapted to
this country in fact, of the two last named
Sheep have never seen any of them in this
country. OF the COtswold | have seen here
for the last II or Is years, and | doubt if
1000 of pure CotsWold sheep can be found to-
day in the entire State. This is sufficient
proof that they have not been Il success.
The same way with the French and Silesian-
particularly with the Silesian. What reason
can there be given for continuously offering
g. g III tbo+
adapted to the country and seldom ever ex-
hibited in fact, a good many that never are
While on this subject: Why make so many
classes of cattle? [ would put the Durhams
in one class, and all the others in one
class Or, if kept as they are now
classified, [ would change the premiums.
The premiums on Durhams should be at least
double the premiums for the other classes.
This would be nothing but justice. l have
never thought it justice that the small and
unsightly cattle should be put on the same
footing with short-horns. They never cost
originally one half as much as the short-horns,
and are not one-fourth the benefit to the State.
Your sweepstake premiums or, cattle are not
more than one-half what they should be, and
the premiums are also too low on bulls in
class one. If you cannot offer higher pre-
miums for sweepstakes without the ten per
cent, charge the ten per cent. and double the
premiums.
Another correspondent says:
We consider the resolution impolitic and
entirely uncalled- for, and right here we will
give you our reasons for this opinion. In the
first place, blanket of my kind worn by
horse, bull or sheep cannot add one iota to
the merit of the animal. In case of the
sheep it makes the wool grow no faster it
makes the fleece no thicker, nor the fiber any
finer. 1t simply preserves the natural fleece
in an untarnished condition. In some Sec
tions of this State in the summer it becomes
very dusty in all sheep walks. In addition
to this We have burr-clover and fox tail to con-
tend with, all of which combined makes it an
impossibility to keep sheep in condition fit to
present to the public upon an occasion like
State Fair, when strangers from abroad are
always to criticise and compare The blanket
used is nothing more than an old grain sack,
worth Ave cents apiece, and therefore within
the reach of the poorest man in the State.
Hence we can see no advantage one man can
have over another. If the breeder can afford
to black his boots and put on his best suit
when he comes to the fair, he cannot afford
to bring his stock In a rough condition.
In brief, these are few of the
reasons why we consider the resolu-
ton in question unfair and uncalled for As
to the premiums, our experience indicates
that any reduction in the live stock depart
ment of the list as it now stands would be
impolitic and not for the best interest of the
Society. All the most prosperous associa
tions In the United States pay the highest
premiums.
Still another correspondent says:
1t seems peculiar discrimination against
sheep, as though partaking of personal con-
siderations. If | am not in error, the world
wide walls of yin
less special care to all stock exhibited
at fairs. | don't believe in pamper-
ing stock, as is sometimes done, to
its injury and the deception of purchasers,
but it would appear equally consistent should
the Board rule out all curried and combed
cattle, and force all exhibitors to turn stock
upon the fair ground fresh from the field,
because, perhaps, some breeders would not or
could not comb and brush their cattle. 1t
seems to me that it would not require
prophets prediction to foretell that such ex-
hibitions would soon become discreditable to
the breeder, the Board and the State We
use the blanket to prevent intrusion upon the
fleece and to exclude dust and burrs,
and must confess we see no objection
in reason to its use. Every breeder
has the same privilege. While expressing to
you these views which seem only common
sense, we hold ourselves willing to take COM
mon ground with competitors, could we be
absolutely sure we stand equal. But our
acquaintance with human nature, and in the
direction indicated, almost precludes the be-
lief that blankets will be dispensed with pre-
paratory to the fairs, notwithstanding the
resolution of the Board. The question then
arises, will not the adoption of the rule lead
to deception and unscrupulousness, to the
detriment of those who honorabIy observe
it?
PAY AS YOU GO.
The times were never more propitious for