The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-03-12
DOWN WITH THE DOGS.
a Declaration OF War Against Worthless
Curn.

To the Editor Of the Neus and Courier:
The Southern CuNirator and Dixie Farmer
rays: "The Commissioner OF Agricul.
turc of Tennessee states that the sheep
interests of that State are nearly paral-
yzed for the lack of protection against
the ravages of worthless cur-. Until the
ours cap be killed of the sheep can never
have anything like fair chance"
The same might be truly said by our
Commissioners of Agriculture in regard 10
Our own State. Wiih climate as favor
able as could be desired, with our nine
millions of acres Of wood land aud old
fields, much OF which is we'll set in grass
es, on which rheep aud goats do we'll, /
believe We could sustain at least three
million sheep and goats that would yield
an annual income of at least 40 mauy
dollars The returns OF 1881 Il have
nothing later show an income of only a
little over 5000, 900 from this industry in
South Carolina. Now, why do these
advantages 60 unimproved? Why do
not interpreting farmers raise sheep TO
Diversity their crops? The answer is
given above. There are more dogs in
the State than there are sheep, aud the
dog OF every race, sex and condition feels
that il is his right and privilege To depre.
date on the sheep at will, sometimes
doing more damage in one night than
ell lha dogs in the neghborhood are
worth. Toexpect small farmers to invest
in fine sheep without any protection
from the laws of our State against loss by
dogs is unreasonable. If such laws were
enacted as would secure to the sheep
owner such protection against the dug Ms
he has a right to expect and demand, our
waste places would soon be occupied by
improved sheep, aud our much exhausted
lands would begin to improve in q way
that would astonish our old fogies, for it
can be demonstrated that the profits on
sheep are greater than on any other crop
save, perhupa the Angors goat.
Now, with these facts staring ua in tho
face, why is it that We can't get o Legis'
lature to pass some law that will guaran.
tee TO the farmer safety for small flock
Of sheep? Iaay snall flock, because q
large flock viii! warrant the expense of
shepberd to guard them, while the small
flock must take their chances and risk
the dogs. A tax Of one dollar per head
annually ";!I dispose of many cur, and
n law requiring the owner Of dogs to
either eucinse their dogs at night or put
on them block weighing not lea, than
ten pounds, und to be- responsible 10 the
sheep owner for all the sheep killed or
injured by their dogs, would guarantee
the safety of the sheep, and, my word for
it, Thousands Of sheep will be raised in
our State where low there are mono TO be
found. You may name this to the aver
age farmer aud he will tell you that
lawyers make the lava to suit themsel yes,
to the neglect Of the farming interest,
when tho truth iu farmers themselves are
not true to each other and their calling.
think on o count you will find that
there has beon majority Of farmers in
every Legislature since the downfall Of
Radical rule. I know this waa tho case
while I was worrying the dogs for four
years, with just enough support to be
hopeful Of success at future day; and
it is BID yet, that our people have this
thing in their own hands and are afraid
to use it.
For a few yean | have been raising
the Angora goat with my sheep, and find
that The dog does not look upon the goat
to covet his life like he does the sheep.
and the goat 10 not so ensily demoralized
IA the sheep, and is, therefore, compare.
lively free from his destructive visits, and
end them quite M profitable. or even
more so, both in fleece and flesh, than
any sheep | have eyer tried. They
browse more than Craze, and consequent.
ly do well on many lands where sheep
would not.
The necessity Of diversifying our crops
is upon US, but how bes, to do it is easier
asked than answered. OF thie I feel
sure: if our sheep were properly protect.
ed by law against the dog, there are no
crops that We Can grow equal to the
aseces of sheep and Angora goats, and
do hope that the farmers of this State
will see to It that such laws shall be
enacted "a will protect this industry.
WAauINcrni w An.ra