201 



under the head of "farm auiraals," except in the Territory of Utah, where 

 they have been about average with previous years in sheep, but greater 

 in cattle. Davis reports losses of cattle greater than last year; of 

 sheep less. Beaver, of cattle, 300 per cent, gi-eater ; of sheep, never 

 less. Weber, of cattle , greater ; of sheep, no losses. San Pete, of cattle, 

 33 per cent, greater; "larmers are considering the best plan to in- 

 crease feed and avoid future losses." 



Returns from the several Territories east of the mountains, generally 

 indicate that both cattle aud sheep have come through the winter with 

 very slight losses. 



In nine hundred and iifty-nins returns froai the Atlantic slope, one 



hundred and twenty-seven report the losss in cattle aud sheep either 



equal to those of last^year or average; seven hundred and eighty-six as 



less; and only forty-six as greater. In forty-seven from the Pacific 



/ slope, thirty-seven report greater losses, aud eight less. 



DISEASES OF FAEM ANIMALS. 



The sanitary condition of farm animals during the past year bas been 

 quite as favorable as in any period since the inauguration of these reports. 

 The difierence is mainly due to the mildness of the past winter, together 

 with the absence of long-continued seasons of drought aud excessive 

 heat in summer. Gradually the profitableness of better treatment of 

 domestic animals is dawning upon the minds of the more improvident 

 owners, though such education is slow and dearly bought. There are 

 yet, however, some exceptions to this general improvement. These are 

 found only in a few unprogressive localities in the South and West, 

 where old wasteful methods still prevail. An Oregon correspondent 

 sharply criticises the practice of farmers of his country in turning ani- 

 mals out to shift for themselves, trusting to a mild winter and early 

 spring rains to start the grass, expectations which are very frequently 

 disappointed. Several similar cases are reported in other parts of the 

 country. It is remarkable that specific tliseases are most prevalent in 

 such localities. Below will be found a brief generalization of the dis- 

 eases affecting different classes of farm animals. 



DISEASES OF HOESES. 



Leaving out of view the relapses and effects of the great visitation of 

 epizootic-luiiuenza, the record of horse-diseases iu 1873 would be quite 

 unimportant. Diseases reported are of a milder type than usual. The 

 fatalities noted are mainly the results of neglect and improper treat- 

 ment, either in health or after symptoms of disease have been developed. 

 Yet in this respect there is a growing improvement. Men are discover- 

 ing that the -dictates of mercy coincide with those of an enlightened 

 self-interest. Public sentiment is also awakening to a closer scrutiny of 

 the treatment of the useful animals, thus largely counteracting the tempta- 

 tions to thoughtless cruelty, which have too often disgraced our civiliza- 

 tion. There can be little doubt that a proper treatment of horses would 

 diminish their liability to disease, aud consequently depress the rate of 

 mortality, thus effecting a great saving to the industrial interests of 

 the country. 2sew Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Louis- 

 iana report no prevailing maladies. The leading types of disease re- 

 ported in the other States will be found in the following resume. 



Epizootic influenza. — This epizootic broke out about the last of 

 the summer of 1872, aud traveled across the country in a general south- 



