SECRETARY'S REPORT. 95 



damage done to sheep by dogs, 1148,748. The effect of the 

 present law by imposing a tax upon the animal is to destroy 

 that class ; and the tax, though small, is quite sufficient to cover 

 the losses by those which are left ; the provisions of the law are 

 such, that it is easy of enforcement, and we hope every farmer 

 in the State will interest himself in seeing that it is executed 

 in his own neighborhood. The difficulties which beset the cul- 

 tivator, especially in populous neighborhoods, are quite enough 

 from trespasses and depredations of various kinds, without being 

 obliged to watch his flocks by day and by night ; losses of this 

 nature can only be guarded against by a law of the description 

 which has recently been enacted. From returns received from 

 various towns of the Commonwealth, it appears that in 1859 

 about 33,000 dogs were licensed, paying a tax of over 836,000 ; 

 it is estimated that nearly an equal number was destroyed by 

 their owners as not being worth the tax, and that a§ many more 

 escaped taxation altogether. 



By a faithful adherence to this la"^, perhaps this impediment 

 to sheep-growing may be overcome ; but we hope to see the day, 

 when no dog, going at large without his master, will be tol- 

 erated. 



The growing of sheep has ever been regarded as a most 

 profitable branch of farming, producing the largest returns, in 

 the shortest time, from the smallest investment, and hence sheep 

 have usually constituted a very considerable portion of the 

 capital stock invested in the business of farming, and this is 

 increased by the enlarged facilities for transporting the animals 

 to market, both on the hoof and in the carcase. 



Among the reasons which have served to create a present 

 current in favor of sheep-growing for their flesh in this State, 

 is the great uncertainty and frequent loss in feeding cattle ; 

 such are the present and constantly increasing facilities for the 

 transportation of cattle from the West, where the cost of raising 

 is merely nominal, that it is becoming impossible for our farm- 

 ers to compete with western feeders; and if it were not for the 

 manure, which fattening cattle leave, and which is almost the 

 farmers' sole dependance for their coming crops, very few would 

 attempt to fatten cattle. The demand for wool is now increas- 

 ing, and the prices more uniform than for many years previous, 



