Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-12-07
sheen Hnshaadr,.

hushsnd-y before the Massachusetts,
Bosrd of Agriculture on Wednesday last,
was introduced by our old friend Hon.
James S, Grinnell Of Greenfield, in 3
valuable paper on the history Of this in
dustry in that state Mr.. Grinnell was
chief clerk of the Old Department OF Agri'
culture under Commissioner Isaac New
ton between l>ea and 1855 and was in fact
not only chief clerk as hsrd-werSeti
routine officer, buf the real head shc
front Of the department so far as its sd-
miuistrasion was concerned, and what
ever of credit belongs to the department
during those wears Is due TO MI. Grinneli
for his splendid msns cement OF the same
Among the causes that have been re
sponsible for the decrease of sheep hus
hgndry in Massachusetts, were the fae-
tuations of the tariff, the importation Of
wool from Australia and New Zealand,
the growth of dairy products and the
killing of sheep by dogs. Beyond all
doubt, the principal reason that prevented
Massachusetts, farmers from engaging in
sheep husbandry todsy was the fear Of
the destruction of his flock by dogs
There were ss,oa0 dogs in this State and
about AZ. 900 sheep IL was useless &c
ask protective legislation Ia this c,nnec
ton, for the dog owners had the mas
terry The keeping of sheep requires
constant care and it is profitable.
Mr. Geo. W. Hollis of the New Eng
land Dressed Meat and Wool Company
gave figures showing the demand fol
mutton 10 Mass ehusetts, Flom 1881
down. his company had slaughtered
sheep as follows: In 1855, 31G,il5; ii
1856, s61 ,s22; in 1887, 500 272; in 1855
ss7, 345; in 1889, 3aG.l24, in 1890, All,
620; In the first ten months of 1891, VI
TO Nov /, s57 ,4s4 The mutton brought
dressed. on the average, from TO II
cents per pound; lambs brought from
to II IL cents per pound.
Mr.. j d Avery Of Roekland gave thu
total income from flock Of Il ew,
lambs as S202 5s. He had been unabl,
to obtain the exact expense. An esti
mate placed the total cost at sl06 65
This left balance of receipts over ex
penditures of S95 30. The above figures
were based on statement made to hin
by neighbor who owned the flock, a
statement made by another neighbor
who raised early lambs showed the re
ceipts from flock of III to have beer
Sl94 so. The speaker estimated the ex
pense Of the flock at Sill o.. This lief
the balance of receipts over expenditure
as sS3 IL Another neighbor, who had
flock of So ewes, six lambs and one ran
gave him the actual expenses of hi
flock as S2SS Is; the total receipts 70
lambs and wool was 1929 50; balance o
receipts over expenses, S3ll 20. In al
the floclls cited the sire was full
blooded Southdown. He did not know
just what it cost him to keep his sheep
but could give an estimate. His hoel
numbered 200 or more Five or ST;
years ago he had raised 200 lambs fror
| $50 ewes and sold them for $1,000. iii
wool brought him 81 80 per head, it cos
him about 50 per head for grain and s
per head for hay.
Colonel Daniel Needham told of tn
taking of sheep from Vermont to Ger
many to compete at the international eS
hibition with the sheep OF Europe
They were merinos and were very nue.
ridiculed by the German press. Thes
sheep. ia spite of competition whicl
| included an exhibit by the Emperor o
France, were awarded two first prize
| and one second. One was for the weigh
of fleece in comparison with the weigh
of Indy