applications to give the noble color, among Merino men. Overfeeding is also objectionable, because it induces barrenness, and causes the animals to run down when afterwards subjected to ordinary treatment.

Committees.

Committees, no matter how intelligent, are not expected to be absolutely infallible. But, if painstaking and honest, their awards are apt to be right, and ought to be acquiesced in. Being entirely disinterested, why should they not be right and acquiesced in? How is it with the decisions of our courts of justice? And why should it be otherwise in the case of the judgment at our fairs? They perform an ungracious task, so far as the unsuccessful are concerned, because all cannot have the prizes; and to render judgment between man and man is always a matter of great delicacy, where the scales of justice are tolerably evenly balanced. Those who make entries do so voluntarily, and by that act agree to submit to the judgment of the committee. Suppose, then, they do sometimes err, it is a matter of difference in opinion and judgment. There are few subjects upon which there may not be difference of opinion. Let us then agree to differ, as we do on other subjects. No doubt exhibiters are among the best judges of sheep. If they are men of observation, they will certainly know their own sheep better than a stranger possibly can, because they are always with them, have had them under their eye continually, and have made each one of them a study. Committees have had no such opportunities, and are compelled to decide upon the spur of the occasion. If an exhibiter, then, fails to get a prize, which he feels conscious of deserving, let him take consolation in the fact that he knows his own sheep better than the committee possibly can; and let him remember that he is not disinterested, and may be laboring under the bias in favor of his own, common to human nature, and from which it is so hard to divest one's self.

Whilst on this subject of committees, it is proper to say that it does not work well to have the same committee pass upon all the classes in the sheep department; and it is pushing economy too far to manage it in that way. The Long-wools and the Middlewools are breeds that come to us from one country-England-and it may do very well to give those classes to one committee. The Merinos come to us from another country-Spain-and cannot well be judged by those who are accustomed only to the English breeds. Nor can the English breeds be well judged by those only accustomed to Merinos. Two committees, therefore, seem to be indispensable.

A register of Merino flocks and pedigrees has long been felt to be a desideratum by many of the breeders. Why should they not have a record as well as Shorthorns and other cattle? They are a more ancient race than any of them, and are therefore entitled to more of the consideration which antiquity is supposed to confer.

The subject has been agitated for a number of years in all the wool-growing States, but it was found difficult to reconcile the many adverse, conflicting interests which came to and showed themselves upon the surface. Nor has such reconciliation been yet fully accomplished. Nevertheless, since the last Ohio State Fair, the first volume of the "United States Merino Sheep Register" has been compiled and is published. Thus a beginning has been made, and something has been accomplished. So far it is to be commended, though certainly not all that could be desired to be. This is easily accounted for. Breeders have differed materially as to the plan, etc., adopted for it; but when we reflect that we cannot all have our own way, and that it was not best to let the undertaking fall to the ground, a demand is made, and it seems to be argent upon us all to agree and give it our support, as the best thing attainable.

Preparations are understood to be making for a second volume. All that is wanted now is the cordial coöperation of the breeders, not only in Ohio, but in all the States, especially Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, to make the second a better and more complete volume than the first, and to insure its speedy preparation and publication.

No attempt was made by the committee at this Fair to apply the "scale of points" in making the awards. It was thought that to do so would have been premature.

Noted Flocks.

Vermonters attending our fair represent that some of the most distinguished flocks, such as Hammond's, Wright's, Sanford's, and a few others, have been mismanaged, and have either become extinct, or have been so broken up that representatives of them are only found as preserved in the hands of others. It, is, therefore, most fortunate that so many and such large drafts had been made from them in the palmiest days of their existence for the supply of Ohio and the West. Vermonters may well tremble and speculate upon whom the mantle of Edwin Hammond may fall. Shall the East or the West succeed to it? Who can tell? Happily, it may fall upon some Western man. ward the march of empire takes its way."

Feeding Roots.

"West

There is one subject applicable to all sheep-husbandry, and, indeed, to cattle and other farm stock as well, that has not yet received the full attention it ought in this country, the growing of root-crops as part of the winter feed. It is not intended to be intimated that beets, turnips, carrots, parsnips, and other roots contain any large amount of nourishment in themselves compared with grain and hay; but it seems to be a fact, experimentally ascertained, that not only is the stomach kept properly distended by the greater volume of the roots consumed, but there is actually more of the grain, hay, and fodder eaten by the animal assimilated and (used in the production of bone, flesh, and fat, when a portion of the roots is daily fed, in addition to the grain and fodder, than is or can be without the roots. The reason for it we do not know. There are many facts, well established in practice, which learned professors in our colleges and elsewhere do not know, and have not as yet been able to explain. This is one of them, and their attention is hereby invited to it.

A large proportion of the fæces or excrements of animals, consists of what, for want of a better name, we shall call ammoniated hydro-carbon, with lime, potash, etc., in solution or otherwise, which are in a great measure wasted, so far as the animal is concerned, but a larger portion of which may possibly be assimilated and used where a good feed of roots is given daily in addition to the grain and hay. The suggestion is ventured with confidence.

Conclusion.

I believe I have now given an outline of the thoughts that have come into my mind whilst contemplating your unexampled sheep show. As the subject is pursued, it will be filled out by the studious and practical reader.

It remains only to say that the thanks of your Board, and of the farmers of the State, are due to E A Stone, the member in charge, and U. C. Deardorff, the Superintendent, in this department, for the prompt and systematic manner in which the sheep were brought out for examination, and by which the committees and the undersigned were enabled the more easily to discharge their duties.

REPORT UPON THE SWINE EXHIBIT. BY JOHN M. MILLIKIN.

As your reporter for the committee appointed to examine and award premiums offered for swine, exhibited at your recent fair in this city, I herewith submit my report.

Your committee consisting of H. J. Starr, of Carey; Jacob Young, of Marion; and John J. Maxon, of Gallia county, met on Tuesday, the 11th of September, and promptly proceeded to the discharge of the laborious duties assigned them, in the order prescribed in your premium list.

That the duties of the committee were laborious, will not be questioned by any one who has had any experience in the examination of animals of any class, where the general qualities were similar, and where the nice points of excellence, in many cases, were so nearly alike as to make it difficult to decide between competing animals. The labors of the committee were greatly increased by the unprecedented number of entries in many of the classes:

The committee, in the discharge of their duties, first directed their attention to

Large White Breeds.

In the list of boars over the age of two years, there were six entries, consisting of Chester Whites and Suffolks. The first premium was awarded to S. H. Todd, of Wakeman, Ohio, and the second to William Smith, of Detroit, Michigan.

For the premiums in boars over one year and under two, there were also six competitors. As in the previous case, the first premium was awarded to S. H. Todd, and the second premium to William Smith.

The same number of entries was made of boars under one year. The first premium was awarded to G. W. Bittinger, of Plymouth, Ohio, and the second premium to 8. H. Todd.

The sows over two years old in this class were few in number, and the committee soon came to the conclusion that the first premium should be awarded to S. H. Todd, and the second to William Smith.

The sows over one year old and under two, which were eight in number, were good specimens of the two breeds-Chester Whites and Suffolks-competing for the premiums. This show was more interesting than any that had thus far been made. After a very critical examination of the lot, the committee awarded the first premium to the Suffolk sow of William Smith, and the second premium to the Chester sow of S. H. Todd.

There were six entries for the premiums offered on sows under one year old-some Suffolks and some Chester Whites. The first and second premiums were awarded to two animals out of the three Chester Whites shown by S. H. Todd. The young sow winning the first premium was an exceedingly attractive animal. She was stylish in general outline, and almost faultless in form and desirable points. The committee had never seen a Chester White more deserving.

For the premiums offered for the best sow with six pigs, there were six entries. Only five sows, with their progeny, were exhibited. The first and second premiums were both awarded to S. H. Todd for his Chester White sows with the litters.

The animals entered for competition, and shown as belonging to the large white breeds, as stated above, were either Chester Whites or Suffolks. There is, manifestly, no propriety in showing these two breeds in competition in the same class. They are essentially dissimilar in character and particular qualities. The Chester Whites are truly a large white breed, and have ever been so regarded. The Suffolk are not considered as a large breed, either in the United States or elsewhere. They more appropriately belong to another class, which your Board has denominated "small breeds."

And as immediatety connected with this subject, I respectfully suggest that the premiums hereafter offered should be for animals of named varieties, and not for animals designated or classed by either size or color. So far as it may be deemed best to offer premiums to encourage the breeding and raising of Suffolks, Chester Whites, or any other recognized breed of swine, let the premiums be offered for each breed in their recognized

name.

In the further prosecution of their duties, at the proper time your committee began the examination of the animals offered for premiums as

Berkshires.

The number of entries of this class exceeded slightly the number of entries for large white breeds. Of boars over two years old, there were five entries. The animals exhibited were fair in quality and in style, but were not so especially deserving commendation as other animals of the same breed subsequently shown for other premiums. The committee awarded the first premium to William Wright, of Lockbourne, Ohio, and the second premium to D. W. Todd, of Urbana.

Seven entries were made of boars over one and under two years old. The first premium was awarded to William Smith, of Detroit, and the second premium to A. Ware, of Washington C. H., Fayette county, Ohio.

Of boars under one year old there were nine entries. Nearly all of them were unusually fine specimens of that breed. D. W. Todd, A. Ware, Todd, Clifford & Co., G. J. Haggerty, and William Smith had on exhibition very fine boars, which in style and genera 1 appearance were very attractive. The extra fine pig, five months old, of A. Ware, easily won the first premium, while the second was awarded to William Smith, of Detroit.

For the premiums offered for sows over two years old, there were seven competitors. They were, generally, very good-much superior, as aged sows, to the boars over two years old. The first premium was awarded to A. Ware, and the second to Hall Brothers, of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Of sows one year old, there were also seven entries. They were, generally, very good specimens of the attractive breed under examination. Hall Brothers won the first premium, the second going to William Smith.

The competition for premiums on sows under one year old was decidedly sharp. There were twelve animals exhibited, most of them possessing decided merit. The first premium was awarded to William Pullen, of Miamiville, Ohio, and the second premium to William Smith.

Of sows with litters of six pigs, there were six entries made. The first premium was awarded to A. Ware, and the second given to Todd, Clifford & Co. The Berkshires exhibited by gentlemen from Michigan were, generally, of good quality and in good con

dition. In that state, judging from the views of some of the exhibiters, the breeders of Berkshires seem to take great pride in a positive deformity of their otherwise best animals; and pay liberally, as I am informed, to get a breeding animal with an apparent broken face and a ridged nose, which contribute neither to the appearance, the comfort, nor the health of the animals. A carbuncled nose, on the humane face divine, is about as appropriate and becoming as the fashionable noses which some desire to see on the Berkshires. Our Ohio breeders have not cultivated a special fondness for the popular deformities, but have bred and exhibited animals of exceeding good quality, and have taken a full share of the premiums awarded.

Large Dark Breeds

Were next in order. Your committee gave them a most thorough and discriminating examination. As the entries in this class nearly equaled the number in both the preceding classes, the committee went to their work at an early hour, with a full sense of the labors and responsibilities before them.

And just here it is pertinent to inquire, Why is the heading "Large Dark Breeds" continued? What large dark breeds have we in Ohio, or elsewhere, save the Berkshires and Poland-Chinas? The Essex breed does not belong to this class, and ought not to be required to exhibit in it. Instead of the "Large Dark Breed" class, there ought to be a class of Poland-China, as there is a distinctive class for Berkshires. The former is the more numerous breed; and without instituting any comparisons between the merits of these two breeds, it is safe to say that in the entire pork-producing States there are more than one hundred Poland-China hogs to every single Berkshire hog. If any breed of swine is to have distinct recognition by name in the premium list issued by your Board, then surely the Poland-China breed has superior claims to all other breeds.

For boars over two years old, there were four entries made. The committee, after due examination, awarded the first premium to H. H. Hood, of Licking county, Ohio, and the second premium to M. Slaughter, of South Charleston, Ohio.

There were entered for the premiums for boars one year old and under two, seven animals. All exhibited were excellent in quality, but the first premium was awarded to M. Slaughter, and the second to E. & J. M. Kleever, of Bloomingsburg, Fayette county, Ohio.

There was an interesting exhibition of boars under one year old. The display of young hogs was unusually large, as there were twenty-one entries, all striving to secure the premium cards. After a careful examination and comparison of the animals competing, the committee awarded the first premium to E. & J. M. Kleever, and the second to M. Slaughter.

Of sows two years old, there were seven competitors. They were remarkably fine. Too much could not be said in their praise. They were remarkable for good points well developed, and for fine, symmetrical proportions. Notwithstanding the excellence of all the sows shown, the Messrs. E. & J. M. Kleever bore off both the first and second premiums for the two sows exhibited by them. Their superiors I have never seen at any exhibition of any breed.

There were five entries for the premiums offered for sows over one and under two years old. The first premium was awarded to L. A. Parrott, of Washington C. H., and the second to E. & J. M. Kleever.

The show of young sows under one year old was quite equal in quality, as in numbers, to the twenty-one boars of like age exhibited in this class. The difficulty of selecting from such a lot of choice young sows the first and second best animals was embarrassing.