SHEEP AND SWINE DEPARTMENTS.

BY T. C. DOUSEMAN, SUPERINTENDENT.

When I left the fair grounds on Tuesday morning (sick) most of the pens in the sheep-department were filled or engaged. The sheep I saw (both fine and long wools) were the best I have ever seen at any fair in our state. I consider myself a good judge on the progress and improvement made in sheep-breeding, having been an early breeder and importer of sheep from Vermont, and a good premium taker, both at state and county fairs and sheep shearing festivals. Then, a twelve pound buck or a six pound ewe were the winning sheep, now, double that amount of wool must be shorn from a sheep or they are kept at home, not being worthy to enter the ring. Then, a farmer's flock that averaged 34 pounds was the banner flock, now, 6 pounds is only an average. We have in Waukesha county a farmer whose flock of breeding ewes, eighty in number, sheared 800 pounds of washed wool the past season.

This change is wholly due to the gentlemen engaged in sheep breeding, and who are the prominent exhibitors at our fair. They merit the thanks of our society and of all that portion of the community engaged in sheep husbandry, for the progress and improvement made by them. He who makes two blades of grass grow where only one did before, they say should be thrice blessed, and I know not, why he who makes two ponnds of wool grow now, where only one did before, should not be equally blessed.

The money for the wool-crop comes in just before harvest and comes in just at the right time to bridge over that span, "until after harvest." Western New York has taken the lead from Vermont in sheep-breeding, and I think the time is soon coming, when the star will travel west and our state will be the center of this great interest. We have the climate, food and breeders, with the taste, judgment and ability to make our state the attractive point for all who wish to buy good sheep and improve their flocks-we must help the breeders where we can, and we must also hold them

back (if they progress too fast) when the fleece becomes too heavy in everything else but wool. We must make cleansing the test, by offering special and large premiums for the sheep producing the most cleansed wool. The long wools are getting to be an important element in sheep-husbandry in some localities, and are productive of more profit to the farmer than fine wools. This class of sheep are improving so much, that now imported sheep do not take all the premiums, and breeders inform me that it is no longer necessary to say, my sheep are imported from Canada, to make a sale; and may the time soon come when our state will be an exporter of long wools as she now is of fine wools.

The exhibitors of sheep were much gratified with the improvements made by the society in the pens, and now think they can take as good care of their sheep on exhibition, as they can of their flocks at home, and that the progress made in sheep-husbandry is now beginning to be appreciated. I have no means at hand to ascertain the value of the wool crop of the state, but we all know that those having flocks of sheep to shear, have more money in June, than those who only raise wheat.

Having lost the sense of smell, it made no difference to the superintendent where he placed the goats, but consideration for the visitors who might not be (in this case) so fortunate, I placed them at the east end of the pens; do not know whether it was on the right or left side. If the society continue to offer premiums for goats, I would advise a change, and offer it for the man who would state that he ever received one dollar' for the clip of one of them. There were not so many pens filled this year in the swine department as last, I think the reason for which, was the mistake made by the society (in my judgment) in not offering premiums for the small breed of swine. The small breed in their place are as valuable as the large ones, and should be as well encouraged. The weather was so extremly hot, that the exhibitors were sorely troubled in getting their stock on the ground and suffered on that account more than any other class of exhibitors at the fair and the losses of one or two of the exhibitors, I am informed were very large.

Of the quality of the stock I can say nothing, having had no opportunity to see them after they were in the pens, but the report of the judges will show who had the best. I was told after the fair, that Mr. Lysaght sold some Berkshire pigs to breeders for pretty

long prices. This shows progress and improvement at home, as the purchasers were good breeders as well as judges.

From the annual report made by the Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee, I see that the sales of swine from the yard, of dressed hogs received by rail, amounted in 1874, to over $4,000,000, while the sales of wheat "in the greatest primary wheat market in the world" was $30,000,000, the largest portion of which came from Minnesota and Iowa. Of the $4,000,000 received by farmers for hogs from Milwaukee alone, how much is clear profit. I think fully one-third cost nothing, but was picked up by the hog, from what otherwise would have been lost. This made pork and pork made the money. I think the product from sheep, swine and the dairy have this season, owing to the short crop and low price of wheat, saved our state from bankruptcy, and every season are the source of adding more wealth to our state than all other products combined.

The question arises, are these branches of agriculture as much encouraged and appreciated as the breeding of horses, short-horns, &c. I fear not, but hope they will be more in the future then they have been in the past.

POULTRY DEPARTMENT.

BY E. J. COOPER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT.

In response to the very liberal provision made for the poultry department, the exhibition in this class was much larger than before. The building erected last year would have given ample accommodation for the display of previous years, but was wholly inadequate to the requirements of this, and owing to the early season in which the fair is now held, was found to be faulty in construction. There being no ventilation at the top, it became necessary to remove the windows which caused a draft directly across the coops, thereby endangering the health of the fowls. Ventilation is very essential to the comfort of the birds, but a draft is always to be avoided.

I would recommend to the committee who have in charge the

construction of such buildings, that the center platform be reduced to one-half its present width, leaving only room for one row of coops, the room thus gained to be thrown into the passage-ways where it is very much needed to avoid the jam of the last year. The building should be twice its present length, and should have a factory roof with windows on both sides the entire length, which can be opened at pleasure. I believe that the growing interest in this department will keep pace with these improvements if carried out. The premium list does not meet the requirements of the exhibitors, it is too restricted in the varieties in the different breeds. A premium for the best trio of Hamburgs, best trio of Chochins &c., is only a little more definite than best trio of Brahmas, or Asiatics, &c. I am sure that it is only necessary to call the attention of the executive committee to the facts, to have all the faults corrected in the usual liberal manner.

Most of the fowls shown were of a good quality, the details of which will be found in the committee's report and awards.

Perhaps the light and dark Brahmas showed more care in breeding and selection than any other class, and they were well represented in number. The coop, of white and buff Cochins, although but few in number, were very fine and attracted the attention they deserved.

White Leghorns were good, and some almost perfect, but not numerous, to the disappointment of many who are lovers of this particular breed, showing that they are by no means out of date.

Hamburgs were shown in goodly number and of all varieties, the Silver Spangled rather taking the lead, with Golden Spangled a close second.

The display of Polands was not as large as might have been expected, but the quality was good.

Of Bantams there was no lack, all kinds including the different varieties of games were on hand and as plucky as could be wished. One coop of Pile Games attracted the attention of the young gents, who made several efforts to relieve the owner of the further care of them, but without success.

The center of attraction was a large collection of fancy pigeons, which embraced almost every kind known to the pigeon world. The cage of Lop-eared rabbits attracted much attention. One feature was noticeable in the exhibition. There were only two coops of turkeys, and these were not remarkable for their high stand

ard. Many visitors expressed disappointment at this lack. We have the promise of more next year.

Water fowls were very fine, and some of rare excellence and received merited attention.

It must be borne in mind that none of the birds were in good feather, the season being too early, consequently the difficulty of securing good looking birds is very greatly enhanced.

I am happy to say that there was not the slightest discontent manifested at the awards of the committee, nor was there any attempt to influence their decisions.

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

BY DR. C. L. MARTIN, SUPERINTENDENT.

I regret to say that the exhibition in this department was not quite up to former years. In cereals we had a fine display. Messrs. P. Putnam and D. T. Pilgrim, as usual, were there competing for everything, from excellent wheat to a magnificent pumpkin. This is as it should be. Such men deserve success and they usually attain it.

With pleasure we noticed our old friends G. S. Haskell of Rockford, Ill., and John Ferry, Superintendent of the University Experimental Farm at Madison, each showing most excellent field and garden seeds. Such fine exhibits give tone and credit to this department. This fine display of seeds reminds me that farmers and gardeners as well, do not take sufficient pains to improve their crops by judicious selections of the purest and best seed. One should always remember that the tendency in all seeds is to deteriorate and return to their wild state. Only by good cultivation and selecting the best each year, can they be improved. Few appreciate the fact that the quality of the seed has much to do with the amount, quality, and value of the crop.

The dryness and extreme heat of the last season seriously injured the vegetables, yet the exhibition was good. The show of vegetables was not as good from the farm as from the market-garden, showing that where a crop is made a speciality, better products and