64 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



or if such members would ask them to assist them in such cases, 

 and go out and meet the selectmen and explain the matter to 

 them, that there are more ways than one of looking at this 

 question, I am qyite sure it would result in great good. You 

 cannot blame the town officials for being anxious to keep down 

 the expenses of the town. It may have been a short-sighted, 

 or a long-sighted, policy, according to the point of view you 

 take of it, but be that as it may, it is up to you, as sheep 

 breeders, to show our selectmen the error and to bring about a 

 better condition of affairs. Otherwise, do not complain if our 

 selectmen keep on the way they have been doing. I believe 

 and have faith that the average selectman of the State of Con- 

 necticut, if this matter is properly unfolded to them, and it was 

 disclosed to them that through the encouragement of the sheep 

 industry will come one of the means, if not the only means, of 

 reestablishing land values, and that through the reestablishment 

 of land values will come the reestablishment of the grand list, 

 and thereby the income of the town increased ; and that the only 

 feasible way, the most direct way and the most practical way, 

 of putting the business of the town upon a good basis, will 

 come, in part, by encouragement of the sheep industry, I 

 believe, as I say, if that matter is fully explained to our select- 

 men they will codperate heartily in what we wish to accomplish. 



We want a liberal interpretation or allowance for damage 

 to sheep. Every one has got to work for it. We cannot get 

 it through legislation. All we need is faith in the work, and 

 to put our shoulders to the wheel and go to work and get it. 

 If we do not we never will get it. 



Mr. HiNMAN. I must disagree, Mr. President, in one 

 respect, with what has just been said. It is not pay for the 

 sheep which have been killed that we have got to look out for. 

 The whole trouble about this matter is simply this : you can- 

 not regulate the dogs until you can get the farmers to stand 

 together and take united action ; until you can get the farmers 

 (and I am sorry there are not more here that are sheep men), 



