STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



63 



France, following her example, bas become a power upon tbe earth. 

 Germany, b}^ early adopting this policy, has made herself an empire of 

 knowledge and a university to the world. 



" Among our family of States, New York and Massachusetts are noble 

 examples of an enlightened liberality. Then let California profit by 

 good examples and be wise, as she would be great." 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY AND DOGS. 



Sheep husbandry, as a branch of agricultural industry, is annually 

 assuming larger proportions, and bids fair to become one of the principal 

 sources of the agricultural wealth of California. In eighteen hundred 

 and sixty the number of sheep within our State, as returned by the census 

 of that year, was one million ninety-nine thousand one hundred and 

 thirty-two. By the same authority, our wool clip in that year was two 

 millions six hundred and eighty-one thousand eight hundred and twenty- 

 two pounds. In eighteen "hundred and sixty-four we produced eight 

 million of pounds. "^ Taking the increase of wool as a basis for the 

 increase of sheep, and in eighteen hundred and sixt3^-four our flocks 

 numbered three million one hundred and eighty-seven thousand four 

 hundred and eighty-two sheep. The census of eighteen hundred and 

 sixty gave the State of Ohio nearly one million more sheep than to any- 

 other State in the Union. Ohio contained that year three million one 

 hundred and ninety-six thousand five hundred and forty. 



The magnitude of this interest in that State, and complaints from the 

 owners of slieep of the ravages of dogs among them, induced the Board 

 of Agriculture of Ohio, as early as eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, to 

 institute a system of collecting statistics by which they might determine 

 the extent of such destruction, and the consequent loss to the State. 



The following table shows the result of such investigation : 



Tear. 



No. killed. 



No. injured. 



Total loss. 



In 1858 



In 1859 



In 1860 



In 1801 



In 1862 



Total for five years 



60,536 

 41,976 

 32,781 

 31,750 



36,778 



203,824 



36,441 

 22,750 

 19,001 

 24,254 

 24,972 



127,418 



$146,758 



102,398 



86,796 



86,434 



136,347 



00 

 00 

 00 

 00 

 00 



$558,733 00 



The frequent complaints from the same source in this State have induced 

 the Board to give the subject some attention, and tiiough they have not 

 been able to ascertain the definite number annuall}^ lost in the State, yet 

 they have become satisfied it is very great, single owners, who are 

 sparing no pains or means to improve the quality and value of our sheep 

 b}^ the introduction of better breeds, having reported their individual 

 losses at thousands of dollars per annum. Erom the number of useless 



