Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1852-03-03

increase over those differently located
Hence, in The New England States, as wels
as in many Of Tho wool growing districts
Of Europe where lands command hlgts
price, population dense, and winters long
aud severe, sheep husbaudry has been fog
year giving way TO The more profitable busl-
ness of raising stock.
In all the States north Of us the annual
cost of o sheep is pu. a! one dollar head,
and every thirty acres of land capable Of
growing six barrels of corn per acre is al
lowed to supper. one hundred head the year
round portion being set apar. for raising
hay. If sheep husbandry under such cir-
cumssnces repays the northern agrcultur-
lists, your committee are of opinion that the
Maryland farmer might safely increase hls
aocks with sure prospect of getting amply
remunereled. The cost Of win.erlng would
be trifing, and those extensive tracts render
ed comparatively barren by an exIlausling
system of culture would serve for summer
pasture. True, there are few portions OF
those exhausted lands that are not suscep,i-
BILE of improvement; but, as this requires skill
and capital, some time must elapse ere the
value of those lands will reach price when
sheep raising would cease 10 be profitable.
But, whilst your committee would recon-
mend 10 their brother farmers Of Montgome-
~ county an investmen. Of capital in this
department, they would a. The same time
say 'ha, this species of property is very un-
uncertain from the ravages Of dogs, and re-
qulres the passage Of a dog law by our Le-
gisla:ure ere the farmers Of Maryland could
prudensly increase their focks beyond the
immediate consumption of his family.
According to the late census our State.
contains upward of eighty seven families
Allowing three dogs for every two families.
this would give in round numbers one hun
dred and thirty thousand dogs; with such a.
canine force, urged by instinct, which al
ways lead them to attack, the timid and
gentle sheep would stand poor chance Of
enriching its owner. Now, when we re-
fleet that it costs as much to keep good
sized dog jas four sheep, the cos, Of this
array is equal TO the keepof half million
Of sheep, with considerable difference iG
point of profit. Indeed, it may safely be-
said that the community that keeps dogs to
the exclusion of sheep is truly TO be piled.
Your committee find that in all States where
sheep husbandry is encouraged, laws have
been passed taxing dogs aud indemnifying
sheep owners from their ravsges. New
York, Verm ont, Pennsylvania, Virginia and
several of the western States were obliged
to pass dog laws ere they could succeed
well in this profitable branch of husbandry.
Hence, your committee would urge strong
Iy the signing of a memorial praying for
the passage OF law taxing dogs; said tax
going to the payment for all sheep killed
10y dogs, when the owner of the dog com-
hitting the ravages could not be found es,,
or when insolvent.
The Legislature being now in session,
your committee deems the time highly aus
picious the organic laws Of the State are
now being modified, popular privileges ex-
tended consequently, this important sub
|ject requires only to be properly presented
TO our representatives 10 obtain their seri-
Gus consideration. Your committee flatter
themselves that few in Montgomery county
can constantly refrain from aiding in the
furtherance of said object, since whatever
benefits may arise from the enactment of a
dog law all will in grea, measure parlici-
pate.
In conclusion, your committee would re-
commend the adoption of the following re-
solution:
Resolued, That copy Of the above re-
port be forwarded 10 the Senator and Dele
gates from Montgomery county, request
ing them TO lay the same. before the Se-
nate and House of Delegates, and to use
their best endeayors to accomplish the above
object. VIM. BREWER,
| BENJAMIN WHITE,
! P. H. Mcleod,
Committee.
JANUARY II, 1S52-On motion The So
ciety unanimously adopted The foregoing re-
por. and resolution, and authorised the Cor
responding Secretary 10 forward the same
per resolution.
In accordance with the suggestions con-
,ained in the foregoing report, memorial
is now in circulation signed by all 10 whom
i, is presented, praying for the passage of a
law taxing dogs, in such a sum each as
would pay for all sheep destroyed by them,
when The damages could not be recovered
Of the owner of the animal committing the
mischief, either on account of want of
proof, or his being insolvent Presuminp
'ha. this dog law will meet with general ap-
probation from the farmers not only Of Mont
gomery but of the Stale generally, it would
be well TO have similar memorial in every
election dis.ic', and when numerousIy sign
ed forward them to Annapolis for the action
of our representatives, who, no doubt, will
readily respond TO the call Of their consli,u-
ents in matter of so much importance to
the agricultural community.
Virtues value is above rubies; yet the
poorest a'e no! too poor TO possess her.