The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-11-28

ENFORCE THE DOG LAws-Sheep rails
ing is undoubtedly looking up. Wool
brings satisfactory prices. Early lambs are
in brisk demand, and the market would
take great many more. We can have
mutton, at least in the Winter, and farmers
look cheerful in view of the profits of the
flock at the close of the year. The pas
lures, where the sheep have been, are
blooming with white clover, and the in
crease of grass and the reduction of brush
are strong points in favor of sheep hus-
bandry. But the dogs still worry the
tlocks, and kill sheep, Notwithstanding the
legislation against them. Some of the
States have good laws for the protection of
sheep.
Such are the encouraging words of an
agricultural contemporary, for farmers to
turn their attention more to sheep raising.
But the dog danger is the greatest draw
back which that industry is subject to.
We have, perhaps, as good dog law in
this county as there is anywhere, but the
law does not protect the sheep from being
killed, if the owner neglects to look after
them properly, or diminish the number of
worthless dogs. The assessors and collec-
tors are careless about enforcing the law,
and are not particularly vigilant in spying
out dogs, whose owners have no visible
means of paying the tax. The farmers
will have to take Jupiter's advice to the
WAGNER and help themselves in this mat
ter as well as others, and if sheep are as
profitable in putting money into the farm
er's purse and enriching his acres as the
paragraph above quoted ayers,-and we
think there is no doubt of the fact-it is
worth making considerable effort on the
part of farmers to secure this double source
of profit, and protect it from ravsges by
dogs. If they combine they can not only
have the law strenuously enforced, but they
can very readily protect sheep from destruc
ton by dogs, without the tax law to assist
them. Suppose half dozen or more
farmers, whose lands adjoin, make up
their minds to keep flock of sheep each,
and order their arrangements accordingly.
If every dog which is caught straying on
the farm is relentlessly pursued and driven
off, he will soon give the premises wide
berth, particularly if he is peppered with
small shot, in case his pursurer does not
wish to kill him. The sheep should have
a lot near the dwelling of the owner, where
they should be accustomed to stay at night.
An apple orchard is a very good place, be-
fore the apples begin to ripen; and few
bells should be placed on the strongest ami
mails of the flock. The bells will be sure
to alarm the owner as we'll as thieving
dogs. Hurdles are convenient for penning
sheep on thin spots, which will be found
TO be the cheapest and readest mode of
improving such spots. The English farm
ers have the dog difficulty to contend with,
which is equally as bad, if not worse, than
in this country but they are not prevented
from having the finest sheep in the world.
Care is the main thing required to have
fine flock on every farm, with the attending
profit, but the majority of farmers would
rather pillow and plod than attempt more
intelligent course in cultivating stock, and
excuse their shiftless habits by laying the
blame to dogs or some other irresponsible
source. A higher degree of intelligence,
and more cooperative and fraternal spirit
are among the greatest needs of farmers.