Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-01-29

pare favorably with that from the sale OF
dairy products during the same time.
also notice with regret that our young
friend, the secretary of the county agri-
cultural society, thinks it safe to hit us a
Kick to help us along down hill. We all
like him; for he has served the societies
as well as the public in an able, impartial
and upright manner both as secretary of
the agricultural society and in the same
capacity the strengthening association
therefore we. would not say anything
harsh IN reply, but may perhaps be per-
mtted to suggest, as he had flock of
registered Merino sheep II few years ago,
that he may be mistaken as was the fell
low who was out sleigh-riding with Il
company, and, imbibng somewhat free
~, rolled of into snow drift After he
had crawled out he reproached the driver
for tipping over; the driver replied, -
have not tipped over" when the one that
had rolled out declared if he had known
that he would not have got out.
Some changes of rules have been made
by the executive board, the principal one
being in the rule that will hereafter adj
nit sheep descended from flocks. families
or blood lines from which we have here
tofore accepted, though they may not
have descended from ancestors that have
| DtcIl TecoTueu III tills register.
| Last November an invitation was sent
out to the secretaries of the different
sheep-breeding and wool-growing organ
izations to meet at Chicago the 18th of
that month to consider matters relating
to the exhibit of sheep at the Columbian
exposition in 1893. Your secretary, with
the approval of your executive board, at
tended that meeting. A permanent or
ganization of a national association of
secretaries to continue till after the
Worlds fair or longer was effected, the
object bong to promote the interests of
the different breeds of sheep at that eX-
position. \ number of alterations in the
prize lists and in the rules that had been
published relating to competition at that
show were asked of the authorities in
charge. We are yet unadvised what
weight has been given to our suggestions.
Since that time we have been asked by
the chief of the live stock department to
advise him whether this association will
not offer some special prizes on Merino
sheep that will be exhibited at that show.
\ number of other registering associa-
tons of sheep have responded quite lib
orally to similar requests, but have not
yet noticed that any specific sum has
been offered by any association register
ing Merino sheep. There is a good deal
of dissatisfaction amCng Merino sheep
breeders about the rules that have been
published relating to classification and
rules OF competition for the prizes on
Merino sheep, and we have some assur-
ances that they will be improved. but, as
before stated, we are yet without inform
alton how much or in what direction.
With large majority of free traders in
the House of Representatives at Wash
ingtOn there comes an agitation for a re-
peal of the duties on wool and large
reduction on those on woolens, which. if
accomplished. cannot be otherwise than
very damaging to wool growers and
manufacturers, and at the same time of
no possible advantage to any one but
foreign laborers, manufacturers and wool
growers, as clothes and other wooden
goods are now cheaper than ever they
were under IA revenue or free trade tariff
and undoubtedly cheaper than they
would be after our markets came under
the control of foreigners, as they certain
ly would if the tariff for revenue or free
trade programme should be carried out.
We have reason to thank the National as
ISOLATION of Wool Manufacturers for their
recent action in protesting against any
alteration of the duties on wool and
woolens. as provided in the present tariff.
There has been some disappointment
among wool growers as to the effect of
that tariff on their product, but a careful
investigation of the whole subject will
reveal the fact that wool is higher here
than in foreign markets, and that the in
creased production in Australia keeps the
prices down and tends to still further de-
press them, and nothing can prevent this
affecting our markets except to increase
the duties on wool and woolens, which,
with the present free trade majority in
Congress, we cannot expect to accom-
plish, and it is exceedingly doubtful
whether we could realize more protection
than we now have if the majority in Con-
gress was the opposite of what 1t now is.
Edgar Sanford of West Cornwall asked
about rule 81, relating to the registra-
ton of sheep. The cid rule read as fol-
lows
Rule 81. No applications to have
sheep recorded in the register of the
Vermont Merino Sheep Breeders asso-
citation will be received unless they are
descended on the sides of sires and
dams from those for which application
was received for record previous to Jan.
!, 1884.
Secretary Chapman explained that the
rule had been so amended as to read:
Rule 81. Sheep that have been bred
in the same blood lines as those already
accepted and recorded III this association
are eligible for record in the register of
this association.
Secretary Chapman also explained the
causes of the delay in the publication of
the fourth volume of the Register. 1t
appeared from what he said that there
was no blame attachable either to him
or to the Rutland concern which is get
ting out the work.
Arthur j. Field of Cornwall, for him
self and the other auditor, ira L. Hamb-
lin of the same town, submitted this re-
port, which was accepted and adopted
without debate:
AUDITORS REPORT,
Receipts.
Cash on hand Jan. !, 1891. 4 sos 95
Membership fees, 1889 4 5 90