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keeping the flock up to the mark, I should stipulate that the breeding flock should be increased the first year to fifty, by a reservation of at least twenty ewe lambs, after which it might be kept at about that rate, or one sufficient to make up for losses and to replace ewes that had better go to the butcher, the selection of sheep and lambs to be under the control of the Committee.

These sheep were purchased in Canada six weeks ago, from a large flock of excellent sheep, of Lancaster origin, but better known by name of Canada sheep. They do not aspire to the dignity of a celebrated breed, but are such as the best farmers. in that region (Woodstock) ordinarily possess. They come from a colder climate and a harder soil than that where they will be placed, if accepted by the Committee and the tenant of the Treadwell Farm.

I propose to put either one of my Oxford Down bucks, or a Shropshire Down buck, to them. The ewes are well fleeced and will weigh on an average, I think, about 110 pounds. I regret to say that some of them are not docked, as they should have been when lambs, as it detracts somewhat from their good appearance.

Truly yours,

RICHARD S. FAY.

It need hardly be added that this liberal and timely gift was accepted by the Committee and a vote of thanks to the donor passed by them and entered upon their records. Mr. Caldwell,the tenant, readily came into an arrangement so manifestly for his advantage. The flock has been received by him, together with an Oxford Down buck, loaned to the farm as above stated. It is to be hoped that he will do all in his power to make this new experiment a source of income to himself and an honor" to the Society. A sub-committee has also been appointed from the farm Committee to take charge of the donation, and regulate all details of its management under the general provisions and terms of the same.

Mr. Caldwell makes the following report of the experiments with manures heretofore instituted by the Society, no new series having been started this year, owing to the change of tenants. CONTINUATION OF EXPERIMENTS ON THE TREADWELL FARM, COMMENCED IN THE YEARS 1861 AND 1862.

The lot commenced on in 1861, (it being the third year) was in grass, which from some cause started quite poorly in the spring, and was also much affected by the drought in June.

Lot No. 1 yielded 925 pounds of hay,

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Potatoes last year, barley the present. Land ploughed 6 inches deep.

April 23d, barley sown 5 bushels. Same quantities of grass seeds as last

year.

Barley harvested first week in August:

Lot No. 1 yielded 7 bushels of barley, and 735 lbs. of straw.

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In concluding this report on the Treadwell Farm, the Committee are reminded that nearly one fourth of the twenty years lease has expired, and that with the exception of the new and commodious barn erected by the Society, the underdraining of the land contiguous to the same, and the accession to the farm of the flock of sheep to be kept for the benefit of both the Society and the tenant, we have not as yet much to show in the way of results. But we should look forward to the termination of the lease and anticipate the history it will then have to tell. If from year to year we shall faithfully do our duty and the tenant his, we shall surely have deserved well of those who are interested in the agriculture of our county.

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Dear Sir, I desire to present to the Committee having in charge Mr. Fay's donation of sheep to the Essex Agricultural Society, Eaton's Improved Sheep-rack. It combines so many advantages, by the way of convenience and economy in feeding, that I deem it of the utmost importance to all sheepfeeders.

Trusting that the experiment of keeping sheep on the Society's farm will prove to be an encouragement to our farmers to adopt this branch of husbandry, I am

Truly yours, etc.,

GEO. B. LORING, Chair'n of Com.

HON. ALLEN W. DODGE.

The Committee accepted the proposition of Dr. Loring, with a vote of thanks; and adopted the rack, as the best adapted to the purpose of economical sheep-feeding.

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A. Side of rack, for feeding hay.

B. Troughs for grain and roots.

C. Corner post, to the top of which is pinned the cleat which supports the side of the rack.

D. Side of rack, brought to a perpendicular, to prevent the sheep from reaching the trough, while grain is being fed to them, or while the trough is swept out.

E. End of rack, which turns down with a hinge, as a convenience in sweeping.

FARMS.

The Committee on Farms report :

It is a matter of disappointment this year, as it has been too often in years past, that the Committee have not been called on to visit a single farm in the county in their official capacity. They would gladly give a detailed and statistical account of many farms which might have been brought to their notice; the record of which would be of great value to the farming community. But they have been obliged to make such observations as could be made during social visits on their own farms; and they must content themselves with such general remarks as would arise from the slight investigations made on such occasions.

The agriculture of the county has received rather more than usual attention during the last season; and notwithstanding the difficulty and expense of obtaining labor, the results have been highly satisfactory. The season has not been entirely propitious, it is true; the early drought and the later floods having interfered very much with some of the most important farming processes. But, nevertheless, our crops have been, in many instances, abundant, and it is seldom that the markets have afforded better advantages. The fruit crop has been nearly a failure. Small grains have suffered much from drought and subsequent rains. Root crops, which are beginning to be extensively cultivated, are abundant. The quantity of hay cut, whatever may be its quality, is not below the average. And at no time have our pastures produced such a luxuriance of herbage. Our farmers commence the winter with well stored barns, and their cattle in unusually good condition. It is doubtful whether the 150,000 acres of land in the county, employed for farming purposes, have ever yielded a larger return for the labor bestowed upon them.

The enterprise of our farmers and their interest in their calling have not abated. In addition to the Agricultural Society which has been so long established in the county, and has en

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