Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-02-15
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
THE STATE BOARD AND MERINO
SHEEP BREEDERS AT'MlDDLEBURY.
The Ideal spanish Ncrino Shccp-How to
Raise and Care for sheep Protltahly
Removing Obstacles-What the
sheep Breeders Hope for.


Breeders association opened at the town
hail in Middlehury Tuesday at 10 a. m. The
meeting was called to order by Il. G. Smith
of the board and Mr. l.. W. Pcet of Corn
wall was chosen chairman Mr.. Poet also
delivered the address of welcome. lie show
ed that the various industries of the world
have representative meetings which are
helpful in promoting practical and useful
knowledge Such meeting we desire this
to he. This meeting is composed of farmers
and tenders of focks We must need to ad-
vance i'm our business or retrogreSsion is GER
tain. We turn to you, gentlemen of the
Board of Agriculture, for instruction. coun-
sci and inspiration, aud we extend to You u
hearty welcome We have need of your
presence. Sit with us and not above us. To
is no small honor to be chosen as you are
from personal fitness to give direction to eff
forts which shall promote the highest agri-
cultural interests OF our State We need
educating in our own calling Botany,
chemistry and all other natural sciences are
closely allied to our calling. We do not
care to test untried theories. Let the eX-
pertinent station and men of wealth lead off
in this. This is Il joint meeting with the
Sheep Breeders association but there is no
diversity of interests to be advocated We
are now looking forward to a more settled
policy of international trade which we have
reasonable assurance of fair profits III the
sheep industry--a subject of no small inter
est to the State of Nermont-and we be
speak the interest Of the members of the
board not only to the mertorious jersey
COW and MoEan horse but also TO the meri-
no sheep. Gentlemen of the board we are
not despondeut. but it is folly to ignore the
exigencies Of the time
Mr. Chaplin of the board responded to Mr.
H.. b, i,I -, H., IN, III
garden county of Vermont where You have
such institutions Of learning, the homo of
50 many prominent men who live here at the
present time and have lived mere before
hope this meeting may prove profitable. and
want to see more of the young people out.
THE IDEAL MERINo SHEEP.
Capt. G. f. Abel of Orwell. read paper
on the ideal Spanish merno sheep, which
was listened to with marked attention.
Among other good things Mr. Abel SAID:
Since II measure OF republican loaVen has
been thrown into the Senate amendment to
the tariff bill now before Congress tcrnenta-
tion has commenced aud. nm ass the lump be
laid upon the shelf we may expect a taste of
the loaf which many of our representatives.
are trying to prepare for us. Should the
present Congress fail to do this. we enter
tain the idea that the Jlst will, 50 that with
out any great stretch Of Imagination we can
see the clouds which have so long hung over
the wool growing and sheep raising
industry begin to roll away Have we the
class of sheep the market viii demand
Most of our farmers are ready for the cmer
gency and could exchange fine sheep for
gr cnbaoks of Iargedenominatous. BY un-
firing diligence and most judicious breeding
we have overcome many obstacles and have
succeeded nproducing the most perfect sheep
i'll the world Wholly unlike the first oriIi-
nal importationS, without sacrificing purity
of blood, it has been our aim to produce a
class of sheep as perfect rs possible in shape,
size, covering, etc. In shape the ideal
must have broad short head: nose wide.
white and silky; neck thick, the top starting
even with the point OF the shoulder, with
heavy folds beneath; the chest broad and
deep; back wide and straight through its en-
tire length. ribs round; legs rather short
with large bones, and n good muscular de-
yelopment This frame work should be
covered with pelt large enough for two or
three such sheep, still belonging to one folded
and pleatied about the neck and shoulders
The fleece should be set on the skin very
thiclly over the whole body, limbs, neck and
head, and extending well over the face, den
si,Y being one OF the most necessary points
to be considered. The length of the wool as
il naturally stands on the shcep's back should
b. two inches long at , Il years growth. Our
stock sheep are purchased by wool growers
usually to cross with the native to increase
the weight Of fleece by multiplying the NUM-
Der of fbcrs upon given space, the same rs
good farmer makCstWo blades Of grass grow
where only one grew before.
Deacon Samuel Jones of Wcybridge said
that the attention OF men bad been directed
TO sheep hu,bandry. From the days of
Adam wool has always been one Of the nee
cssalieS of life. Europe was the first coun-
try 10 try To improve her sheep. We began
10 import sheep into thi, county early in
the century. The sheep in this county will
compare Iavorably with any in the State.
Men come here To purchase sheep to improve
their llocks. Our soil, climate and men are
well adapted to for raising ideal sheep.
can see men IN this room who have been
cmlncntiy successful in sheep raising. We
have approached 50 near to the ideal sheep
that we must hold on to thom. Folds and
wrinkles are what is demanded in the mar
ket, The sheep industry has developed
men as well MS sheep Men of middle age
have made money in sheep. IL is
true that The prices of sheep have
been low for the past few years. but
our farseeing farmers have kept on in the
even tenor Of their ways. Wool will always
be in demand, Men viii come here from
Australia. They have got to have our best
sheep to keep up the hocks IN the walm
dry countries. Cur woods are much stronger
than the foreign woods. We want 10 brc,d
for Il beautiful form and as much wool to
the square inch As possible, and | am not
afraid but what that class of business will
pay.
THE CARE OF SHEEP.
Mr. Jackson Breeders will not agree ON
what is the ideal sheep or even which is al
ways the best ndiNid idual sheep. Care and
raising would be a good subject for discus
sion. Il always pays TO feed a little grain
to sheep, hUt they viii eat just as much hay
Mr.. Jackson said in answer TO questions that
ne kept tine wool from growing in the eyes
by ticng string arpInd the foretop.
Mr. Worcester -aid he would cur the
wrinkle with shears below and above the eye.