Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1928-05-17
SHEEP RAISERS GATHER
FROM SIX STATES
Connecticut Association Holds
Delightful Outing At East
land Farms, Pomfret
1s-Year Old Storrs Freshman Wins
Championship

Ideal weather added 10 the delight
the interest and the large attendance
at the Nineteenth Annual Field Da,
and Sheep shearing Contest Of tbs
lConnecticut Sheep Breeders Associa
ton, AFFLICTED with the New England
Sheep Breeders Association and thu
! Connecticut Agricultural College hels
lin Pomfret, Saturday. Eastlan,
Farms, the fine estate Of Charles V
b. Cushman, was thrown open to thu
gathering and Mr.. Cushman agaii
proved delightful host.
IL is estimated that more than five
hundred people, representing sis
states. were in Attendance. A ban
quet was served to the invited guests
and buffet luncheon was served e
all visitors. A neatly printed menu
was used and an illustrated program
Of the days events was distributed as
/ n souvenir. The menu was as follows
Clam Chowder
Olives Crackers
Roast Loin Connecticut Lamb
Currant Jelly
Potatoes Delmonico Peas
Rolls Doughnuts
Ice Cream Cake
Coffee Cigars Cigarettes
Much interest centered In the sheep
shearing contest. The gathering be-
came enthusiastic as eighteen-year
old Wesley Garrigus, a freshman at
Storrs Agricultural College, became
the outstanding participant. He was
competing against well known shear
ers and many contestants Of long cx.
perience. He outelassed them all,
winning three first places, one third
place, and a fourth place in the five
events. Not only did the youth win
the title Of Champion Sheep Shearer
Of Connecticut but he was awarded
S36 in cash prices. There were
prizes Of $40, So, 81, 81, and s in
each Of the following five classes
Hand shearing; machine shearing;
hand shearing eighteen years Of age
and younger; machine shearing eight
cen years Of age and younger; profess
sianals-all those who have previous
IN won first prize In class two.
There were also prizes Of 50, 81,
50. So, and 81 for single fleeces IN
the following three classes: Fine wool
medium wool and coarse wool
More and Better Sheep
Sheep authorities Of national repu-
tation expressed the firm belief that
sheep can profitably be raised on the
hills of New England and the decline
of this once flourishing industry was
deplored. More sheep and better
sheep was the keynote Of several adj
dresses.
In his welcome TO the guests Mr..
Cuahman, who Is president of the
Connecticut Sheep Breeders Assoeia.
ton. cited the diminishing hocks and
the decline of interest in sheep rails
ing. lie pointed out that sheep are Of
greater value today than ever be-
fore, both as a cash proposition and
cure for rundown farms.
"The Connecticut Sheep Breeders
Association does not claim sheep rails
ing TO be a type of get-rich-quick
scheme. but IL does believe, and backs
up this belief with knowledge, that
the sheep can stand on its own feet
and rival any animal in the chances OF
success and profit Intelligently and
alphabetically cared for and protect
ed from its natural enemies, the
sheep will thrive and prove itself as
the hardest and healthiest of ami.
mails" was the parting thought Of
President Cushman.
Other Features
In addition to talks on subjects OF
interest and the shearing contests
there were demonstrations of dipping,
drenching and docking, much OF Mr.
Cushmans farm stock being used. Mr..
Cushman also threw open his green
houses and exhibited his thorough
bred horses. An additional feature
was the sheep drive by Spot" a
former New England champion sheep
dog. The dog. directed by his mas
ter. Sam St0ddard of Bradford \. H.
gave a remarkable exhibition Of driv.
ing herd of sheep. He was directed
hy the gestures and whistling Of his
master
Sheep Shearing Prizes
A summary of the winnings in the
various classes OF the sheep shearing
contest follows: Hand shearing, Joe
Pritchard, Storrs, first, / minutes, 40
seconds for one sheep; Walter Yale,
Meriden, second; Sam Dorrance Plain
field, third. Wesley Garrigus, Storrs,
fourth; Ralph Dudley, Guilford, fifth
Machine shearing for boys eighteen
years old or younger, Wesley Carl
gus. first. nine minutes for one sheep
Richard Curgenve. Mansfield, second
Milton Beebe, Mansfield. third; Gin
ton Beehe, Mansfield. fourth.
Professional class for former win
ners in the machine shearing classes,
Wesley Garrigus. first, five minutes
so seconds for one sheep; Sam Dor
rance, second; Joe Pritehard, third
Walter Yale. fourth; Ralph Dudley
fifth.
Professional speed class, two sheep
adjusted on speed alone; Sam Dor
ance, first, ten minutes, 55 seconds
Walter Yale. Second, IL minutes
Wesley Garrigus, third, II minutes,
five seconds; Ralph Dudley, fourth,
IL minutes, 80 seconds; Joe Pritehard,
fifth, 10 minutes.
Hand shearing class for juniors 4 :
wears and under, Wesley Garrigus,
first; Clinton Beebe, second, Milton
Beebe. third.
The judges were w. II. Hennine
Of the Pennsylvania State College
c. j. Fawcett Of the Aassachusetts