nce of this interest, and
have labored zealously, and at much expense and cost, to improve their
breeds of sheep, and to foster and develop this great interest. They
have certainly done much in this direction; but more--very much more, I
apprehend--remains yet to be done.

It must, however, be remembered that a blind zeal, without that
knowledge which is the result of experience, observation and study, will
do very little in the right direction.

Sheep, like cattle, should be selected for specific purposes, and in
reference to affording the greatest profit under existing, and probable
future circumstances. The exclusive cultivation of this or that
breed--of the fine or coarse, or of the long or short wools--whether
kept exclusively for their wool, or both for their wool and the
shambles, should never be practiced, unless under special and unusual
circumstances. The farmer in this, as in every other agricultural
department, must endeavor to see his relation to the merchant, and adopt
a practice having in view the chances of ultimately reaching the most
certain as well as the most profitable market; for, after all, the
connection between the producer and the manufacturer and merchant, is
but a partnership for loss and gain. The merchant will call upon the
manufacturer for such woolen goods as his market demands, irrespective
of the mere opinion which any one may entertain in favor of this or that
kind of wool; and the manufacturer, in his turn, will call upon the
farmer for just what is wanted. The farmer should therefore, in the
selection of his flocks, have in view the market upon which he is to
rely for the sale of his wool; the texture and weight of fleece; the
health and vigor of body and constitution, as well as the habits and
economy of the animal. He should sedulously seek to bring his sheep to a
high degree of perfection in every respect. In seeking to obtain quality
of fleece it is a self-evident fact that he should not overlook
quantity; and that quantity should also be considered in connection with
quality.

It is a patent fact, of which if we needed evidence it may be found in
this exhibition as well as in the numerous county exhibitions of similar
character, which have recently been held, where very rarely any other
class of sheep are seen, that a strong preference for fine-wooled
Merinos is very generally, if not almost exclusively, entertained at the
present time among the farmers of this State, and mon