85 
Are these assumptions warranted by facts? Let the reader examine data ob- 
tained at different times from different sources under different auspices. In 
Missouri, the present spring, the aggregate of estimates of sheep killed in thirty- 
three counties is 8,267; in 1866, in answer to a similar inquiry, returns were 
received from thirty counties which gave a total of 7,911. Boone county, Ken- 
tucky, at the same time furnished an estimate of 3,000 killed; and from counties 
in Michigan, Iowa, and Pennsylvania, estimates of 1,000 or more in each were 
received. ‘The southern and frontier States show greater losses in proportion to 
extent of flocks than more central regions. The reason is plain—there are more 
dogs under fewer safeguards. In many of these localities wool-growing is at- 
tempted and abandoned for the sole reason of these unchecked ravages. 
By actual enumeration, without counting those not reported and paid for 
under existing law, Ohio reported in five years 203,824 killed, averaging 40,764 
per year, more than one per cent. of her flocks, while the injured were about two- 
thirds of one per cent. With a very small allowance for a higher percentage of 
loss, where it is shown to exist, an estimate is rounded out upon this Ohio basis 
of eight hundred thousand sheep killed and injured among the forty millions of 
the United States. 
The loss in 1862, in New York, as estimated by the secretary of the State 
Agricultural Society, was 50,000 sheep, valued at $175,000. This involves a 
higher average than the Ohio figures. 
The following table gives the aggregate result of recent returns, not including 
the damage done to sheep maimed or otherwise injured: 
Sheep killed by dogs in 1866 in certain counties of the several States, as estimated 
by correspondentg of the Statistical Division. 
2 =) | R a 
2) oo) i) oO 
S o 6 o 
ay = as a 
= ars =a) aS 
states. SE] ws States. S56] we 
Susy [cone a 2, | Orn 
oo = oo ea 
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A A A A 
WEIN Fees pyee Gos0,deas<o>- Sis Oa MUON AS) oon sees oot cope ee 16 7, 360 
New Hampshire........-.-- 6 8547) Arkansas... <0 sc aeneisea= 9 770 
WerRmonte at ncjoesces taba se 5 AOD || PLCNNeSSeG eee sae cciae see 25 | 12,478 
Massachusetts ......-...-- 5 713 || West Virginia .....-..--.- 15 1,475 
Bhode' Island... 22.-22 2 S00") Kentucky@s: . 342/222. 5 26 8, 292 
Connecticut: is2-2 32h 5cco5 3 SOU | MOSSONEIt Ss 5. ccc deem ecw 33 8, 267 
PVE WR NOUR 5 =: =:24a1e lose oes Bae Ace ||) UMNO 2 acete s cieie aeraiere tee 60 | 16, 167 
NEWS GIRGY ~-- <5 -'5e8> 2 6 409 |) Indiana --.---------:.---. 33 7,189 
Pennsylvaniaes 82/22. 2.22. Bae mOgisa||SOhioessssstocasactaneeeces 31 | 13,532 
Mel writers secure 2 SHO SMichivan:- scree awe = 18 4, 058 
Maryland e522... -c-<sccce 5y eb As || SWiAScOnsin) 252s seep. os 26 2, 237 
Veit. 1 | ance |) Minnesota. 1c. .<iacts—e cio 8 518 
North’ @arolinames oe. 0 So. QAR LOWS --<--s ane eee toe 4, 660 
South Carolina..........--. 7 Prekeero) | ansas..s 922g lo oe 13 2, 212 
Georgia j235seee ae aos ee. 18 PAS 0F9el| Nebraska) «22005 sass. veo ~ 3 125 . 
Wloridg) -,jssseaseere tease = 2 5a Witaht. ics assets 2 14 
Alabama. - .osjassosstaes 1) [2s hae ——- 
Mississippi. < jee ces 9| 4,600 "Total .22uesesnoeres 539 | 130, 427 
enisiana,. .\.2S=eesee aes 3 475 2 § 
If these returns are indicative of the actual extent of the injury—and they 
are evidently lower than the reality, because based upon partial and. imperfect 
locai official returns—the loss to the country yearly is not less than half a mil- 
lion sheep. Three years ago their value was estimated at five dollars each. If 
we reduce the estimate to suit the diminution of values to four dollars each, the 
direct loss on account of sheep killed amounts to two millions of dollars yearly. 
