Report of Missouri Farmers' Week. 125 



being beautiful and companionable. The word "collie" is 

 simply the old Highland term for "sheep dog." These dogs have 

 been used for centuries in handling all kinds of domestic animals. 

 They are serviceable as companions, watchdogs, and have an 

 all-around general utility. They are adaptable, loyal and 

 easily trained to perform all sorts of service. 



The tests to which they are put in sheep-dog trials are 

 most severe. A long course is marked out by flags, and the dog 

 is compelled to conduct three strange sheep over the course, 

 which is interrupted by hurdles, and deliver the sheep into a 

 pen. These dogs are directed only by the voice and signals 

 made by the hands and arms, and are unaccompanied by the 

 owner, who must remain at a distance. 



Some years ago I ascertained that there were 22,000 dog 

 licenses issued in St. Louis alone. It is safe to say that not 

 one-third of the dogs in the city are licensed. If I am even 

 approximately correct, there are at least 50,000 dogs in St. 

 Louis and probably as many as 250,000 in the State. 



Missouri spends money each year in bettering the breeds 

 of cattle, horses, swine and poultry. Why not spend a small 

 sum on the dog? Or if the State will not do this, why can it not 

 be done by subscription? 



The average collie litter contains from six to eight pups. 

 In nine weeks a pup is born. In sixty days more he will be 

 ready to send to his new home. This will require only five 

 months from the date of breeding to the date of delivery. Thirty 

 brood bitches and five stud dogs could be bought for a com- 

 paratively small sum and in many cases donated for the experi- 

 ment; these would in a year's time supply one or two good 

 collies for each county in the State. 



The annual maintenance of a State kennel in Columbia 

 will not be large. 



I may be overestimating the value of this plan, but I 

 believe it to be practical, useful and will add much to our State's 

 reputation for progressiveness. 



Senator George Vest illumined this subject in an address 

 to a jury. Time and changed political issues may cause us to 

 forget his great speeches, but this classic will always be pre- 

 served: 



"Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in 

 this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His 

 son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove 



