11 



"That the number of sheep kept, on our farms is bound to increase is very 

 evident. Formerly, and I may say at present, many are keeping more cows 

 than they can milk without more help. This is hard to secure, and as a sub- 

 stitute for the dairy cow the sheep is bound to lead. I do not contend that our 

 farmers are going to abandon the dairy cow, but rather many will have to cut 

 their herds down by a few and this will make room for a small flock of sheep. 

 Prices for wool and mutton are now very satisfactory, very much higher than 

 the ruling prices of a year or two ago. I think if farmers could get in some 

 way of finishing their lambs at home and so get higher prices than they realize 

 by turning them off in October or September it would have a wholesome effect 

 on the sheep industry. In this township there is very little waste land that 

 sheep could improve. Nearly all of our land is improved and very suitable for 

 the production of all kinds of crops and this has an effect on the sheep business. 

 A great many lack an understanding of the business as regards care and hous- 

 ing of the flocks." 



"There seems to be a prevailing prejudice that sheep are hard on pasture. 

 I do not think it is well founded. If farmers would only consider how easy it 

 is to provide abundance of the very best feed for sheep by sowing rape among 

 all their spring crops, affording a great amount of pasture all the latter part 

 of the season at a mere nominal cost for seed. Then there is the advantage of 

 sheep as scavengers turning the noxious weeds into money. With the scarcity 

 and high price of farm help, and the inexpensive building required for sheep 

 as compared with that for other stock, it would pay, and pay well, for farmers 

 to keep very many more sheep. I am surprised to know that they are on 

 the decrease from year to year. It seems to be the unanimous verdict of those 

 who have experimented and kept careful tab on cost and profit, that there is 

 nothing on the farm that pays better than a properly cared for flock of sheep." 



In replying to question 5, practically every correspondent who kept 

 sheep answered the question by stating- that he had experienced trouble 

 from dogs. In the neighborhood of villages and towns it appears to be 

 most difficult to protect sheep from dogs, especially if the so-called 

 "bird dogs" are numerous. 



In answering question 6, "Is a tax imposed on dogs in your town- 

 ship, town or village?" and question 7, "If not, has the petition been 

 presented to your Council in accordance with section 2 of the Act, asking 

 that a tax be not collected?" many correspondents were unable to give 

 definite answers. To get complete information for all the townships in 

 the Province, the returns of municipal clerks to the Bureau of Industries 

 have been consulted. The latest years for which figures were available 

 were 1903 and 1904, and townships only are included, as the clerks of 

 towns and villages do not always report on the taxing of dogs. The 

 table following has been extended to include the amount of dog taxes 

 collected by the townships in each county and the amount paid to sheep 

 owners for damages done by dogs. 



