Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-02-23
Gibllim ano GsIegrapb.
PRoFIPs,or sHEEP-D0G-LAWs.

sneep ralSerS nave Iouiii tiie poSIicss N'iJ {
profitable for the past few seasons. Fine
woel sheep have been in great demand, and
immense numbers have gone westward from
New Yord ! Pennsylvania, Ohio, aud YER
mont. There has been very nearly equal
demand for mutton breeds. The markets for
wool and mutton have becrSsgc5d and the
seasons are favorable on the whole. 4 cor
respondent in Susquehanra Co., Pa, writes
to the american Ag,icutnrtSt
Il know farmer in the township Of G,
in this County, who had flock of twenty-four
sheep at the setting in of the winter Of
1864 They all lived through and had
a common increase in the spring. lmlnedi-
ately after shearing, part of the wool was
sold at what proved to be low figure. but
brought S37 60, and % lbs. was used in the
family, which at the former price was worth
1890. Curing the summer sheep and
lamb, were sold out of the flock to the amount
of S35 90 All the above amouns to S92..O,
and the flock now numbers 26. What is
there that pays better than sheep? Yet tn,
damage done and liable to be done by dogs det-
er many farmers from entering extensively ms
sheep raising There has been law passed
within few years past for this and several
other counties in this State, lcvying n TAX on
dogs but the tax is so low that it has reduced
die number of the dogs very little. The fund
SO raised goes to pay in whole or in part for
sheep killed by dogs, and surplus going to
the school fund. Now if every man who
reads the Aqric,huia would interest himself
in this matter and circulate petitions to the
Legislatures of the several States for laws
levying tax 50 heavy that it would materially
reduce the number of dogs it would be far
better for our country"
Our correspondent subjo;ns form of petit
ton which may be used in bringing the sub
iect before the law makers of any of the States.
There has not as yet been single State
throughout which a good dog-law has been
well enforced That the thing is not imprac-
ticabe has been proved by the enforcement
of dog-,aws IN certain counties, to the great
advantage of the agricultural interest. The
halfway work of permitting towns or counties
to legisate on the subject for themselves
that is to enforce law against dogs, or not,
according to whether the dog interest or the
sleep is strongest, is making a farce of legis-
lation.
FORM OF PETITION.
TO the Honorable Senate and Housc of Rcpre-
sentatives. Of the State e.
The undersigned, inhabitants of the County
d., in the State of------
respectfully represent: That many of us suffer
directly and personally, and all of US ndi
rectly, from the destruction Of sheep by dogs,
and that the ravages of dogs are SO great as
TO be serious detriment to the prosperity of
this State, by preventing from entering largely
into sheep raising We therefore earnestly
request your Honorable body to pass law
for the registration of all dogs, imposing tax
upon every dog and dog pup of not less than
one dollar, and upon every slut and slut pup
of not less than five dollars and at the same
urge that the law be so framed as not to be
easily evaded, and that its accurate carrying
out be secured by rigorous penalties. To
this end your petitioners as in duty bound
will ever prpy.-1mericm Agricu'f"ria.