Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-12
CONTEMPLATION


EEe6eft0Uo4 OF SMeop kF4MA Do3se
Much Is said about the necessity Of killing dogs,
in order TO raise sheep. see the LegiaIature ID |
similarly impressed. The writer Of this well rec
members when boy, that his father, (residing In
Kentucky never had any sheep killed by dogs,
although his deck was much the largest of any IN
the neighborhOOa. On one occasion, well remem.
Der, when there was over fifty sheep killed one
night immediately around in the neighborhoOd,
and that five or six neighbors that had lost sheep
the night previous to my fathers to learn his
losses but their establishment great to learn he
had lost no sheep. They then ssgely concluded,
that it was his dogs that had deprecated on their
aocks. Accordingly all his degs, some eight or ten,
were called up and their mouths rigidly examined;
to find blood or wool as evidence of their guilt-but
none could be found, and their astonisment was
still greater. ny father told them he could easily
satisfy them, they lrOud neuer have asleep killed by
dog or wolf if they would do with their focks as
be did with his. Their wonder was increased when
he told Them all they had to do to l& their sheep
run sOh Aeir cattle constantly and they SoOad Rever
baUe sheep killed By a dog or aoOf. To show them
the proof of his correctness, he invited them to
walk with him to the pasture where his sheep and
cattle were feeding taking along all the dogs. When
they reached the PASTURE my fathef requested the
gentlemen to set the dogs on the sheep or cattle.
This was done. The sheep immediately sought pro-
lection by running to- under and behind the cattle,
while the latter made an immediate attack on the
dogs, and in less than five minutes every dog was
run out Of the pasture. One of the gentlemen
asked the privilege Of bringing his dogs thinking my
fathers dogs had been trained to from the cat"
tie. This request was readily granted, and all
the gentlemen met again next morning, when some
four dogs were set on the sheep with the same re-
suit viz: The dogs were driven out of the pasture
in even less time. This satisfied the gentlemen and
there were no more sheep killed in that neighbor-
hood.
About twenty years after, the writer of this fell
heir to some thousand head of sheep. The neighbor
hood to which he removed then was greatly afflicted
with what was called sheep killing dogs, and remem
boring his fathers custom, kept my sheep and
cattle together, still residing in Kentucky. One
morning ak or eight of his neighbOrs called In that
had lost some eighty sheep the night before Learn
Jog l had lost none out of my flock, they were
unanimous in the belief that my dogs had done
the mischief. The dogs were all called up
and critically examined for proof of their sheep
killing procliyties but without the least success As
they had two or three dogs oftheir own with them,
told them, that if they would walk with me to my
sheep would learn them how to preserve sheep
from being killed by dogs. They did so, and on
reaching the pasture of some 200 acres, desired
the gentlemen to set their dogs my sheep and to
do their best in doing so. The effort was most earn
estly made, but it not five minutes before every
dog was driven over the fence out of the pasture
the sheep running directly to the cattle for protec
ton and the cattle assumed the most bellggerent
attitude towards the dogs, and cleared the pasture
in no time of them. No more sheep killed in that
region.
Now, Mr.. EDrOE any gentleman canprove this By
trial. it may take short time for the sheep and
cattle to assimuste together but thstt is certain
is beyond Observation-Disclosures don't kill any more
dogs on account of mans ignorance, Let every
newspaper print this. B. d P.