161 



The extremes of variation are great in different localities, according to 

 treatment 5 in Schley they are 10 per cent, less than any year since the 

 war, owing- to better feeding ; in McDulfie they are 50 per cent, less 

 than in any winter for ten years ; in Heard 50 per cent, less than last 

 year : in Hancock, 75 per cent, less ; in Scriven the loss of sheep is 100 

 per cent, greater, while the loss of cattle is 50 per cent, less ; but in Lin- 

 coln, while the loss of sheep only equals that of last year, the loss of cattle 

 is 100 per cent, greater. Precisely the same report comes from Santa 

 Eosa, Florida. In Choctaw, Alabama, the loss of cattle was 25 per cent, 

 greater, but the loss of sheep less, " owing to a statute for restraining 

 dogs." From Mississippi, liankin returnslosses 100 per cent, greater than 

 last year ; Pike, the loss of cattle much greater than for many years. 

 Hancock reports that the loss of cattle arises wholly from starvation, none 

 of the farmers making any provision for feeding; Amite, that the loss 

 in cattle greatly exceeds that of previous years ; Wilkinson, that 10 

 per cent, of the stock have perished. In Louisiana, Avoyelles reports the 

 loss of both kinds 100 per cent, greater ; Washington, of cattle, more 

 than 100 per cent, greater, with an average loss of sheep ; in Franklin 

 it was 90 per cent, less ; in Madison, 50 less ; and Richland, less than 

 ever known. 



Texas. — Wood: Many cattle have died from the severe cold weather; 25 per cent, more 

 have died. Titus : Twenty-five per cent, of the cattle have starved to death, and by the 

 time grass rises the loss will reach 33^ per cent. Hunt : Cattle, 22 per cent greater ; sheep 

 10 per cent. less. Gonzales: Much less than usual. BcU : Much less than for many 

 years Angelitia : Cattle, 100 pw cent, greater; sheep, equal. Marion : Y'lhj per cent, 

 less. Cherokee : Less TjO per cent. Live Oak : Less 50 per cent. Kendall : Sheep 12-^ per 

 cent, greater ; cattle, equal. Coryell : Less 50 per cent. Dallas : Greater 25 per cent. 

 Blanco: Less 50 per cent. Kaufman: Greater 15 per cent; about 25 per cent, have 

 died. Collin : Less 15 per cent. Falls : Much less. Comanche : Cattle, 80 per cent, 

 less ; sheep, 95 per cent. less. Fannin: 25 per cent, greater. fValler : Cattle, 100 percent, 

 greater. Milam : Loss in flesh, 25 per cent. Ellis : Greater 25 per cent. ; all from star- 

 vation. Ashley: More than 90 per cent. less. Bexar: Less than for several years. Pa- 

 nola : 50 per cent. less. 



Jackson County, in Arkansas, reports that nearly 50 per cent, have 

 died. Losses in Tennessee have been comparatively small. In Mis- 

 souri, scarcity of feed combined with want of due protection and care 

 to make the losses heavy. Kansas is rewarded for the decided improve- 

 ment reported in the care of farm-stock by greatly diminished losses. 

 Losses in Nebraska, also, notwithstanding unusual cold and scarcity of 

 feed, were less than in the previous winter. In the other States in the 

 Valley of the Mississippi and Ohio, including West Virginia, there were 

 no unusual losses worthy of special notice. In California there were 

 scarcely any losses, and comparatively few in Oregon. 



DISEASES OF FAEM-ANIMALS. 



All kinds of farm-animals during the past year enjoyed a marked 

 exemption from prevalent diseases, with the exception of the class of 

 unknown maladies loosely designated by the term " hog-cholera," which, 

 however, presented a less formidable list of losses than the previous 

 year. The losses from exposure and starvation consequent upon the 

 increased severity of the winter and the failure of food-crops in many 

 sections, are larger in those counties where the policy of merciful treat- 

 ment of domestic animals has never been understood or practiced. 

 During the past year, even horses and mules, which generally receive 

 better treatment than other classes of farm-animals, have been allowed 

 to perish in increased numbers. The external causes of disease, how- 



