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shrubs, but not the huckleberry bushes. They covered the 

 pasture with manure. " * * * " The cotton-seed-meal was a 

 great advantage to that pasture." 



They require careful attention on the part of their owner, 

 that all forms of disease may be warded off, or cured at the start; 

 and knowledge as to their habits and the diseases to which 

 they are liable are necessary to successful management. This 

 knowledge is readily obtained from good books upon the sub- 

 jects which exist and should be found in the agricultural de- 

 partments of all city and town libraries. The Sec'y of the 

 State Board in his last report emphasizes the importance of 

 this industry and urges its value upon all farmers. The rava- 

 ges of dogs, by which the sheep are either killed out-right, or 

 run to death, largely prevents their being kept. It is true that 

 the loss by any damage done to flocks can under the laws be 

 recovered by proving the loss ; but farmers who have had ex- 

 perience claim that it costs too much in time and money to 

 make it worth while attempting it. Consequently the farmer 

 finds only loss in raising sheep and is at present unwilling 

 generally to undertake it. An attempt was made last winter 

 before the Legislature to alter the existing dog-laws in the 

 interest of the would-be sheep raisers, but the opposition was 

 too strong. It is a case where the welfare of the minority 

 needs protection. An instance has just been called to my no- 

 tice near Marblehead where some young cattle have been killed 

 by dogs within the limits of the city of Salem. The owner will 

 attempt to secure damages and the result will be of interest 

 to us all. If state laws can be made to protect sheep-husbandry, 

 all farmers should unite for their general good to secure 

 their passage. 



