Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-01-22

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convertSeg them into q most valuable lcI -O'
the measurement and renovation OF worn ia,ioS
And or the contrary that the result gwen oy .''e
figures should be largely augmented wiz oo upP"
rent &c any one who considers the greut n'DP,o'
mept which would be introduced INTO '"e "cuo VI
far,rias cultivation of grapes, ProuueSot %
bar and the favorable influence on the heat'n' Ih"'
70 cav the moralsl of our population, Of such a
change and yarietyain their customary iooo.
No. II onv one will apply these calculations Ia
tb. s,pv manner to the whole State u VIII oe iounu
that we should have ali increase Of i'ooo'Uuo neaG
Of sbcco which would be an addition to the nked
nren-rry of the State of about SlS,00OOOO; ana an
snDn,l nrofit from them Of $4,000, 900, and from
Abe increased number of hogs of 100000. making
total annual advantage to the State of
Well is that so If not why not? Nhere u TUG
error Of fact falSty of inference! Anu u true
it lot disgrace to the State? Why has this source
of wealth to our farmers, and so TO the olale oec
SO entirely neglected-and this, too, while 1t is wei
known that State possesses taclilues anu au'a'
taces for this business which not found IN more
than one or two other States in the Conieueracy!
Our whole mountain region has adaptations lot .h'S
branch of agriculture which are not surpassed ON
the continent, and there Is not county III Ihe
State where it would not speedily become source
Of wealth Why has not the matter been taken
up by our Legislature, the only power adequate 10
the task of removing the obstacle out OF the farmer
way? Not because it was not known that snch
action was desired by the large mass OF the aSrcu
tura population Ct the State. ii has been repeated
" pressed upon their attention, and some acuoh
demanded at their hands. But 1t has been repeat
edly laughed out Of the Assembly OF law.maKers-
Is it because they have been too much taken up
with the weightier matters of partizanshiP dema-
cogusm and the public plumber? Many believe So
But NAV it not be because they are mostly men
whose avocationS have allowed them too niue OPP
pcrtunity to familiarIze themselves with such PLAIN
practical matters-that there are too many lawyers
and too lew farmers among them?
1t NAV he objected that this Is an evil that ought
to cure itself, without the aid of legislation. And
it may be said that if the people had not deliberate
ly preferred dogs to sheep, they would not so UNI
verSally have adopted the system OF doS-iarmlng.-
But how did this system in fact originate! EVl'
IDENTIFY it from the manner OF the fTSt sette-
ment of the country Sheep farming was then I'M
possible. The tronlierS-man, the Squatter and pi'
oneer never advance into the wilderness without
his dog--and for very good reasons. The original
wilderness was filled with multitudes OF Wild AMI
mails, sufficient to cat up the entire crop OF lhe
struggling settlers. 1t was necessary to call IN the
aid OF the dog to defend the farm aud poultry-yard
and gradually clear the country for more regular
and profitable modes of farming But no one pre-
tends that in the old States there is any such ser
vice performed by the dog now. lie has performed
his part-but from mere habit has been retained
long after the circumstances demanding his pres
ence have disappeared. But It may be said he Is
still needed in the capacity of watch dog. In
some sections, and un'cr some circumstances, that
is true-but are tenth of our present population
Of dogs worth any thing for that purpose? The
truth is that so little attention has been given TO
the breeds Of these animals since they have become
useless that the races have been mixed up and DC
generated until one would hardly be able to lind
dozen good watch-dogS in whole county, ann
they have become almost as great a nuisance as
the original wild beasts which they were meant TO
abate. II all but the goO{ watch-dog| were de-
Stroyed, the farmer would have no moro complaints
to make, nor the sheep.
That the evil will not correct itself, Is evident
from the fact that it has not done so yet and that
there is hardly neighborhoOd in the State where
individuals have not made the attempt One stub
born OF stupid neighbor is sufficient to defeat the
intelligence and enterprise of whole community.
That the country desires legislation the subject,
is evident enough from their having fSked for it so
often, and may he made still more 10 any one
who will take the trouble to converse with farmers
anywhere on the subject. Let it then be pressed
upon the attention of the Convention. That body
is evidently better fitted to deal with such matter
than any ordinary legislative assembly And then
we must act at once otherwise we shall be brought
into the greatest straits and our soldiers reduced to
suffering, and decmated by disease from exposure
and cold. And NOrth-Carolina is the most favora-
bly, situated OF all the States for this movement
Indeed Tennessee, the only other besides Texas,
which could compete with her, is disabled | Y her
present political difficulties from giving hcr atten
ton to such subjects. Every consideration then Of
interest and of patriotism combines 10 urge US to
speedy action. If we go TO work at once, We
may by the next autumn double the number of our
sheep and quadruple the product OF wool. BY the
of the winter oat, which has been recently
generally introduced the wuterng of sheep has
become matter of no difficulty expense. There
is wide marke; and the best price for all
produce, and by beginning in time We may get pos
session Of the market to be able hereafter to
make this single business source Of vast wealth
to the State; or if not, we shall, besides the i'm
mense immediate advantage have the honor Of lead
ing the way in movement Of untold benefit to
the whole country.
Then let our Convention pass law imposing
tax of one dollar for the first dog and FIVE for each
additional one, to family. And let it be made the
duty of some existing officer in each county put
the law into immediate execution. And let it be
made lawful for any to kill dog found at large
without his owner. This will accomplish the whole
business at one blow. NIL NEMlNI.