PROPHYLACTIC MEASUllKS. 49 



affected, is at once to kill the leprous sheep — thus 

 freeing the others from their pestiferous exhalations — 

 and to bury the carcasses, wool and all, in some far- 

 isolated spot." 



Other preventives have been proposed, and among 

 the rest, " that of killing all the foreign sheep directhj on 

 their arrival." It will be seen at page 45, in the article 

 we have selected from the Mark Lane Express, that 

 the reviewer of the Cattle Trade suggests this measure, 

 and adds — " as they look as well dead as alive, no pos- 

 sible injury could be inflicted on private interests by the 

 compulsory adoption of the latter alternative." Now to 

 this project we cannot consent, as a positive loss of food 

 to the people of this country is thereby peq^etuated ; for 

 frequently the low condition of the animals is such that 

 the butchers will not purchase them, and consequently 

 they are turned out of the market unsold. Why should 

 our graziers be prevented from fattening these foreign 

 sheep, when they can do so with profit to themselves 

 and advantage to the community ? Is it not a fact 

 that, since the alteration of the tariff, thousands of 

 Merinos have been fattened in England, and afterwards 

 sold at a remunerating price ? We see no objection 

 to this system being continued, if our flocks can be 

 rendered secure against an outbreak of any contagious 

 pest ; and this, surely, might be accomplished. Would 

 the rights of property be respected if the above scheme 

 were carried out ? No. The value of the animals, be 

 it what it may, would be lessened, and their general 

 want of flesh would further assist tlie depreciation ; 

 for if the butcher can, at all times, be certain of pro- 

 curing a supply of this kind of meat, will he not take 

 care to have it at his own price ? These carcasses 



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