112 REPORT OF THE SCOTTISH COMMISSION 



sheep population was 3,048,678, while it was only 2,510,239 in 1901. 

 It is supposed that the improved markets for mutton and wool in 

 1906-1907 have induced a tendency to stock farms more largely 

 with sheep, and to improve existing flocks ; and it is possible that 

 some increase may be shown when the next census is taken. 



The Canadian farmer is credited with being very ready to 

 change his methods, and when sheep and wool prices were low, 

 sheep-keeping was abandoned by many, especially by those who had 

 not sufficient knowledge for their proper management, or who treated 

 them in a haphazard way. The thorough-going sheep-man, who 

 gave attention to his flock, has seldom had to abandon sheep-keeping, 

 and, with the late improved prices, has been reaping his financial 

 reward and has improved his farm. In the older days when home- 

 grown wool was homespun, practically every farmer kept his little 

 flock, but that has been changed, and only those possessed of what 

 has been called " the shepherding instinct " have retained their 

 sheep. 



All parts of Canada do not seem to be equally favourable for 

 sheep-keeping, but there are many parts where sheep seemed the 

 ideal stocking. On many occasions, when questioned, farmers 

 in the western provinces gave the opinion that sheep took 

 too much trouble owing to the cayotes and wolves, but 

 where a farmer was found with a flock of sheep in which 

 he took a real interest, that trouble was made light of, and 

 was spoken of as causing very little loss. In other parts 

 what seemed a more real difficulty was the number of dogs — 

 especially around the towns and villages. This is said to have done 

 more than anything else to discourage the sheep-farmer. To a 

 Scottish sheep farmer, this seems a very extraordinary state of 

 matters, and statements regarding the dog nuisance were received 

 at first with incredulity. That the " pestiferous dog," as it is 

 called, exists, and is largely to blame for the poor state of the sheep 

 industry in most closely settled districts, is a fact, astounding 

 though it may seem. 



It is said that the sheep industry in Canada is showing its greatest 

 advancement in the maritime provinces. This is said to be true, 

 not only in numbers but in quality. Prince Edward Island, though 

 the numbers have gone down from 125,546 in 1901 to 110,986 in 

 1907, still heads the other provinces by having an average of 

 9.\ sheep per 100 acres of occupied land, while the Annual 

 Exhibition at Charlottetown holds the third place in Canadian 

 fairs for numbers and quality of sheep, only Toronto and London 

 in Ontario being considered superior. 



A considerable number of lambs from the maritime provinces 

 are exported to Boston or New York, where they are held in high 

 favour, and bring prices sufficient to leave profit after paying duty. 

 On an average about 5 to b\ cents per lb. is got, live weight, home, 

 for Wedder lambs. It is reported that a serious loss is experienced 

 by breeders carelessly neglecting to " wether " their lambs, a 

 neglect which all over Canada causes the sacrifice of much of the 

 profit which might be made. Agricultural Societies, in many 



