The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-25

here our merchants would get large trade
in the supplies for cotton-planters.
s. ,,.'E Sheep and Dogs.
Every day the papers contain statements
OF fresh raids made by dogs upon flocks OF
sheep. Yesterday letter from ,Powhatan
in our paper stated that several farmers in
that county had lost many sheep by dogs.
When we consider what an auxiliary to the
thrift OF husbandry a good flock OF sheep is
we cannot but regret the Indifference shown
by our Legislature to the great expediency
OF providing q law for the protection OF
sheep. Governor LETcHER, in his excellent
speech on the subject, gave convincing evil
dence that the interest OF the farming COM
munity and Of the whole State powerfully
demanded that sheep-husbandry should be
literally and efficiently encouraged.
There is no State better adapted. to the
business Of sheep-culture than Virginia. II
it were actively pursued in the State now it
would add immensely to our general wealth.
Every consideration makes the pursuit one
to be esteemed for the reward it affords to Its
followers, and FOE the satisfaction and COM
fort it gives society. There is not man
or woman in the land, not q little child in
its helpIessness, that is notindebted to the
sheep for protection from cold, from
frost and Keen winds The fleece of the
gentle creature, in the hues and textures
which the manufacturer gives it, ministers
alike to mans pride aud to bis comfort. And
then what shall we say Of the delicious food
afforded BY the. body which the sheep gives
I'D with his life for the table? Mutton is
the very best and healthiest meat that we
have for human sustenance. 1t is no Won
der that the culture of this excellent animal
should be profitable.
But what shall we say Of the enemy Of
this excellent, this profitable creature? He
is the least valuable of all the animals do
INVESTIGATED by man. In. being the friend OF
man the dog differs from his brother-canine
the wolf; but in being more destructive
than the wolf he poorly rewards the favor
he enjoys at the hands of bis master; yet,
strangely enough, the master in former days
offered rewards for the destruction Of the
wolf, and yet gives home and support to
the dog, which is SO ungrateiul and 50 much
more destructive than the wolf. 4 = 100
The recent social revolution has multi
piled dogs. greatly, and their destructiyeness
is increased at a time when, more than ever,
husbandry needs the means OF multiplying
it's resources and increasing its gains. Many
farmers are deferred from embarking in
sheep-culture because OF this multiplication
Of the destructive dogs, and the profits
upon the business amongst those who fol-
low it are curtailed by the ravages Of these
creatures. Not only do they kill, but they
ruin fiocks by chasing them. Sheep do not
recover the contented condition necessary
for fattening and increase after being wor-
ried by dogs, and have to be disposed OF. 1t
is matter OF public regret that pursuit
SO promotiyeeof the general welfare and
comfort should be so vcxed by this great
cause of discouragement. -.,.s
We admire the dog, and have taken the
dogs part often. But we limit our friend
ship to respectable animals, well-bred, we'll
raised, and taught to behave themselves.
Such dogs may put themselves upon level
with their masters by paying tax. But we are
hostile to the wretches, the mongrels, that
are not,well.raised, and have learned by the
poverty and parsimony Of their owners to
obtain their living by depredating upon the
.neighborhood. Many, indeed, learn to steal
from the examples Of their owners, and
thus descend to the level Of the rogues.
These dogs ought indeed to be killed. 1t
is amongst these that the sheep-murderers
are chiefly tiound-it is they that chase the
foek;1 and, killing them by detail, only lap
the blood from the. iugulsr Of each as the
business OF slaughter proceeds, and con-
tinue that as long Us they have appetite or
as long Us night covers their war. The
farmer thus in the morning often finds the
best of his flock dead in the field, and the re-
mainder hiding and trembling with alarm
after the fearful scenes Of the previous
night. &C..
We are disposed to look upon the matter
Of giving State protection to sheep-culture
as one, Of very high importance. 1t ap-
peals to practical wisdom and to the re-
fined feelings OF civilization. The field Of
slaughter-the slaughter OF sheep by dogs
has u barbarous appearance, and, in fact, in
proportion as peaceful pursuits are perilous,
does the gap between civilization and bar
barism diminish. AT this time the raising
OF sheep is more perilous from canine
rayages than it was among the early set
tiers, when the forests were inhabited by
wolves. A proper sense OF the public in
terest and of the protection and encourage
ment that should be. given to husbandry
would lead to the enactment OF laws to pro-
tect sheep against dogs. -' IT. IS, ~. ~
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL PApEHs.-We are
indebted to the editor Grew. J. WuLIAM
JONES, d. d. for the January No. Of this
publication 1t contains valuable contribu-
lions, among them g The Defence Of Mobile
In 1885, By General DABNEY 81. MAURY;;
Detailed Minutim of Soldier Life, p by
n Or sraSf sRSrf inps,,,1 ~ &c ddreaa nm fhe