210 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



Thuisdav Afternoou, Jauuaiv 29, 191)3. 



The lirsl order of busiucss was tlu' report of the Oruithologisl, 

 Prof. Surface. 



Moved by Mr. McHenry, that the State Board of Agriculture 

 hereby declares itself as opposed to the passage of the bill now 

 pending in the Legislature, which provides for the destruction of 

 owls. Carried. 



On motion of Mr. McHenr}', the following resolution was adopted: 



"in view of the large increase of pei'fectly wortliless dogs, the danger to 

 life by hydrophobia and the immense loss to farmers in this Commonwealth, 

 by the loss oi sheep killed by the useless curs, and other depredations on a 

 farm caused by them; therefore, be it 



'■Resolved, That the legislative body now in session be requested to enact a 

 law, declaring dogs personal property, that it shall be the duty of the assessors 

 to assess said dogs at a value placed upon them by the owners (that the taxes 

 for said dog" or dogs be ten per centum of their value per annum, but in no case 

 shall such taxes be less than one dollar' per dog). That the taxes shall be col- 

 lectible as other taxes are. That after the dog or dogs are so assessed the 

 constable of tils' district shall furnish to each owner of dogs a metal tag on 

 which thQ number of the dog corresponding to that of the register of the as- 

 sessed dog made out by the assessor, for which the constable shall receive 

 a compensation of a sum not exceeding twenty-five cents per tag, and it shall 

 be the duty of the constable to kill airy and all dogs found in his bailiwick with- 

 out such tag attaclied to its collar, for which service he shall receive a com- 

 peiTtation of fifty cents per dog killed. 



"And said constables make their return under oath to the court of quarter 

 sessions every three months at the regular term, that no dog without a tag can 

 be found in his district. 



■'And the owner or owners of dogs so assessed shall be liable for all damages 

 caused by them to sheep or other property." 



The report of the Geologist, Dr. Wads worth, was then read and, 

 on motion, was received and ordered on file. 



The report of the Mineralogist, Col. H. C. Demming, was pre- 

 senti^d and, on motion, was received and ordered on file. 



On motion, a vote of thanks w^as tendered to l*rofs. Massey, and 

 Dr. Adams for their instructive addresses. 

 On motion, the Board adjourned sine die. 



JOHN HAMILTON, 



Secretary. 



