National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-17

did not rise above per cent. In any OF the
New England or middle states, In any OF
the states between the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers, or In Minnesota or Iowa, west OF the
latter stream. Among southern states
Kentucky shows only the same percentage.
In Missouri, West Virginia, aud Maryland
the rate Is per cent; In Delaware and
Virginia IL is 4, while In the remainder OF
the southern states II ranges from 6 to s
per cent, the maximum being reached,
however, In but one state-namely, In
Florida. In the more western states and
territories the Losses range from 3 per cent.
in Kansas, Nebraska, and Dakota, to per
cent. In Colorado and the Indian territory;
the rate In the others being 4, except In New
Mexico, where IL is 5.
SHEEP.
Though the winter has been one OF com.
parative severity, there are few reports Of
very low condition. In the eastern, middle,
and Ohio valley states the prevalent tenor
OF reports is favorable. For many counties
Of the southern belt a similar report is
made, while others return a reduction OF 3,
10, 10, aud sometimes 20 per cent. from the
usual status rs to flesh and vlgor. This
differs little from the usual returns Of April,
as sheep are left to shift for themselves,
and theirspring condition therefore depends
upon amount Of exposure and quantity Of
heritage. In fact, they are rather better
than a year ago The reports from Texas
are variable, but not extreme. Many re-
ports Of good, even high condition, are re-
eeived. In Callahan county condition Is
reported higher than for FIVE years. There
are complaints In Ohio and elsewhere OF
negligence Of aocks from encouragement
caused by low prices, while there is an oc-
casional statement OF greater care than for
two years past, in view OF tho fact that
other farm prices are also low. In some
portions OF western farming sections II 10
stated that 1ocks have suffered for want OF
shelter, especially beyond the Mississippi.
Scsb is the worst prevalent disease affect
ing 1ocks. 1t exists to some extent In diff
ferent wool-growing sections, though less
among the small farms, or where mutton is
the main object Of sheep husDandry. 1t is
very liable to find Introduction into large
flocks, where Its dissemination Is sure unless
diligence and tobacco are applied promptly
and as often as necessary. Its prevalence
In places has not been very Injurious. and
has been very rarely fatal.
The losses Of the year from all causes, as
consolidated from local estimates, amount
to over 100000 sheep, or per cent. OF
the hocks. 1t is larger, as matter OF
course, in the wool-growing regions, where
the demand for mutton is small, than In
the sections where feeding for mutton
is practiced, and the pverage OF age
is lower. In the aJuth the loss
is heavy, for want of care, and the preva-
lence Of predatory dogs and other mutton
lovers. The loss from dogs Is everywhere q
serious encouragement to wool growing.
In Clay county, w. Va, some tocks have
lost so per cent. of their numbers. Dog
laws do not entirely prevent losses, as
thousands OF dollars are paid by some coun-
ties of Ohio and Indiana.
SWINE.
The health of hogs on the let Of April, as
shown by the reports Of the, department
correspondents, was generally good. This
condition results chiefly from the large food
supply and the growing tendency to give
the animals better care than they formerly
received In some sections.
The condition of swine is poorest in the
gulf and southwestern states. From Maine
to Georgia poor flesh and lack of vigor are
rarely mentioned, while estimates above
100 are frequent. From Florida to Texas
and In the other cotton states "not good"
"bad," "poor condition." and similar ex-
pressions are more frequent. From Mlssls-
sippi, swami OF attention." In De Soto
county; pleuro-pneumonia in Choctaw;
scarcity of mast, In Rankin; and In
Kinds, sleeping under gin houses, and in
haling dust from decaying cotton Seed"
are reported as causes OF lowered condition
of swine. In the Louisiana parishes Of
Catahoula, Franklin, and Benville poor
health OF hogs is charged to lack Of food;
in the first, STARVATION killed many.n In
Arkansas, swine are said to be ''very poor
from hard winter" In Lincoln, and ''from
failure of mast because Of forest firesn In
LoDoke. Swine in the west are In good
health and vigor. The animals that escaped
cholera are strong, and the general condition
is good.
Cholera, so called, caused serious losses
In many states during the summer. Its
force was checked by cold weather, freez-
ing Of the ground occupied by the animals
having tendency to arrest development Of
the disease. 1t prevailed later In the south,
and was q cause Of the comparative poor
condition OF the swine In that section.
A general exemption from other maladies
through the year is noted. While this is
partly due to the practice Of making
"choleran comprehensive term, yet 1t Is
true that health Of hogs has been good
Reports Of disease are usually coupled with
remarks on neglect, or tbs scarcity OF
food.
Paralysis prevailed in parts of Rhode
| Island. Pleuro-pneumonia occurred IL
Pamela, Texas; Choctaw, Miss, and Contrl
Costa, Cal. Reports OF sickness are al
from widely-separated localities, and bu'
small loss has resulted except from cholera
Cholera prevailed only slightly In New
England, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan
northern Indiana, northern Illinois, Wis
consin, or the extreme western states, and
the health OF the hogs in the territories Il
good.