9 
EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE. 
CONDITION AND PRICES OF FARM ANIMALS. 
MAINE. 
York: Few horses died of the epizooty. Franklin: The great hay crop of 1872 makes 
stock much quieter, and at a much higher figure than in 1871. Cumberland: A reduc- 
tion in numbers of most kinds of stock, and a corresponding rise in price, owing to a 
large supply of hay. Waldo: Farm stock in remarkably good condition; plenty of feed 
of all kinds. All stock well sheltered. 
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VERMONT. 
Franklin: Mules are a new stock with us, many having been raised here 
lately. The demand for hay for shipment to the cities has caused 4 reduction in the 
stock of cattle, estimated at 5 per cént. Chittenden: All stock are wintering well. 
Addison: There are blooded horses raised here, which command large prices. The same 
is true of sheep; $25 per head for ewes or rams is not an unusual price. 
MASSACHUSETTS. 
Dukes : There was a disease among our sheep last spring, by which some farmers lost 
20 per cent. of their flocks. They were taken with the “snuttes” at first, but soon 
their heads began to swell, which killed them very soon. I have not learned of any 
remedy. 
RHODE ISLAND. 
Washington : Deficiency in hay crops the past two years has diminished the number 
of cattle from 5 to 15 per cent. 
CONNECTICUT. 
Middlesex : Probably from 75 to 100 horses have died from the epizooty. New London: 
Some horses have died from the epizooty. Milch cows are scarce, and command a good 
price. Sheep more numerous than one year ago. 
NEW YORK. 
Chemung: Togs are rapidly decreasing, owing to a growing conviction that 
for the market we cannot compete with the Great West; besides, many are be- 
ginning to think that if they cannot raise hogs profitably they cannot use them profit- 
ably. Yates : December has been uniformly cold and favorable to the feeding of stock. 
Steuben: The horse-disease has been severe and wide-spread. Some have died, and 
experience has shown that “nostrum mixtures” have done more harm than good. To 
keep the horse quiet and warm proved the best of all treatment. Genesse: Hogs are 
worth about $4 per hundred, gross. Seneca: A few standard flocks of American meri- 
nos are kept in this county; also a few thoroughbred sheep as producers of delaine 
wool; but the great majority are grade sheep kept for wool, mutton, and renovators of 
the soil. The high price of labor is now stimulating the production of wool and mut- 
ton. WHrie: Very few horses in this section have escaped the epizooty. Nearly every 
death can be traced to ill treatment, or too much treatment. Horses which have been 
worked moderately, allowed to run to grass, sheltered from storms, and have not been 
doctored, have suffered comparatively little. Ontario: The epizooty which swept over 
this county October and November was not fatal to horses, but left them in bad con- 
dition, though they are now improving. Wyoming: The price of stock is not as high as 
last year, while ‘hay is much higher. Onondaga: Sheep are in good demand for both 
wool and mutton, and the number has slightly increased. 
NEW JERSEY. 
Susser: In November and December horses were attacked by the epizooty; very 
few died, but some of those were very valuable. Those did best who kept their 
horses in the stables without giving any medicine, or resorting to any other treat- 
ment than due regard to cleanliness. Sheep have increased in numbers during the 
last year; the reverse is true of hogs. Hunterdon: The epizooty has been general 
among horses and mules; about 60 deaths, confined to the old and infirm or weakly 
ones. _ Mercer: Very few mules raised in the county. Large numbers are brought from 
