170 THE LURE OF THE LAND 



during the year were 2,224,000 head, of a total value 

 of $5,581,000. Nearly all the losses of sheep are due 

 to exposure. The total loss of the meat producing ani- 

 mals due to exposure and disease during the year is 

 estimated to he, in round numbers, $150,000,000. The 

 losses of horses and mules also show approximately 

 523,000 head, valued at $59,100,000. 



While these terrible losses do not seem to diminish 

 the total profits of agriculture to any notable degree, 

 they fall with crushing force upon the farmer who is 

 the victim. They also place a heavy burden on the 

 consumer. Even if the farmer secures no notable gain 

 in the money value of a bumper crop, he becomes 

 thereby a benefactor to the country. If there could be 

 some workable plan evolved to cover the loss to the in- 

 dividual farmer, the wastes mentioned would not 

 menace so seriously agricultural prosperity. If the 

 nation and state could lay a light tax on those articles 

 most subject to destruction for the benefit of those who 

 suffer the losses, less suffering would ensue. If A loses 

 100 hogs by cholera and thus increases the value of the 

 hogs of his neighbors, it seems to me they should share 

 some of their profits with him. They have made their 

 extra money out of his misfortunes. If A, however, by 

 his own providence could avoid the loss, which would 

 otherwise be due to his own negligence, he would not 

 deserve compensation. When a great flood devastates 

 the Mississippi Delta, driving thousands from their 

 homes and destroying houses, fences and stock, or when 

 a prosperous city like Dayton is submerged and bat- 

 tered, the sympathy of the world is aroused. When 

 drought lays waste great areas in India, the purses of 

 the world are open. When an earthquake destroys a 

 city, aid is offered on every side. When fire consumes 



