184 



It is not to be supposed that there are a less number of sheep killed and w unded 

 in the States embraced in our tables than there are in Ohio. If, then, an average 

 of 3,936,812 gives a loss of $117,459, the whole number of sheep in these States 

 being 32,695,797 would suffer a loss of $975,514. The dogs, then, in these 

 States destroy and injure nearly a million dollars' worth of sheep annually. A 

 destruction of this magnitude is not to be endured patiently, and we hope an 

 adequate protection will soon be found in such a national dog tax as will effect- 

 ually guard the rights and interests of the wool-growers. 



The statistics of Ohio show that in 1863 there were in that State 178,472 dogs. 

 Let us suppose that this number in 1860 was 175,000. As this State had in 1860 

 a population of 2,339,551, and the population of the States in our tables was 

 22,030,199, the number of dogs in proportion to the population would be 1,647,880. 

 Thus we see that a tax of one dollar per head would fully meet the damages 

 done by them ; and surely when legislation is demanded for the protection of 

 wool and woollens, a tax so just should not be denied by Congress. 



FARM STOCK: 



THEIR NUMBERS, PRICES, AND VALUE, FOR FEBRUARY, 1866. 



In this report we republish table No. 1 of our last report, in order that it may 

 go with the tables Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of this number, for they are based upon 

 No. 1. 



As often stated, in estimating actual numbers from the returns of our corre- 

 spondents in tenths, we took the census returns of 1860 as the original base upon 

 which the first estimate was made of the numbers. This census docs not dis- 

 tinguish the different ages of live stock, and it was important that they should 

 be so distinguished, in order that a more correct valuation of the whole might 

 be made. In the absence of statistics showing the relative proportion^of these 

 ages, which in many States is different, according as they are stock-raising or 

 stock-buying States, it was no easy matter to fix an average proportion. After 

 much reflection, a year ago, we settled upon the following proportions, and still 

 adhere to them as being in the main correct. 



