The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-08-01
A Kangaroo Round Up.

4 reporter met gentleman recently
who has been largely identified with
pastoral interests both in Australia aHd
New Zealand. and from him some inter
esting facts we're ascertainei IN oOnnee-
ton with the efforts Of antipcsiean agri-
I culturiSts 10 combat the plague Of the
( long-eared pests.
The drive idea said the gentleman,
-is now entirely new to the Australians.
They have for years employed some
what similar method Of riddiug pastoral
lands Of the destructive kangaroo. The
usual way Was to build czpaeinas stock
yard, with very high fences, for your
4ble-bodied kangaruD is no slouch II
playing leap frog. The location gener-
ally chosen was on the fork Of river,
for kAnyar0os are not extra partial 10 Wa
ter. Invitations to the round up would
then be sent TO neigboring farmers. and
or specified morning the farmers would
put in appearance, mounted and accom-
panied by whItever kangaroo hounds
they cs1anced to possess Dogs and own
ers would then get away bask and sCatter
out in skinnishing order until large
section Of country was covered, and then
cireumnayigatiOn was in order. the object
i've point. Of course being the lofty stock
yard.
Pretty soon yoz would hear the bay
ing Of scores Of hounds, and the long
jumping marsupials would oe seen leap
ing Ike gigantic frogs, while the skir-
mishers would advance and close in
steadily and Systematically, controlling
the hounds the while. 80 q TO gradually
direct the hopping kangaroos 70 the de-
sired point When the mob, which on
occasions numbered many hundreds.
we're finally housed in the place Of
slaughter, some ene was sent 10 close the
draw gate on them, and the fun eo,nmen-
eed. The dogs were restrained and fam
lily relics in the shape Of blundert,Usses
and ancient flint locks we're brought into
requisition until the last grass and crop
despoiler had bitten the dust
KAngaroos make it rough for the
hounds on some occasions, DO they not?''
asked the reporter.
You bet they do. An old man kan
CARGO Is just as thorough bit Of mechan-
ism IS ever dog tackled When fairly
cornered he viii place his back agains; a
tree or rock aai invite the best dog in
the pack 10 come on. Old dogs ara wary
Of them, and Use their best endeavors 70 I
get an ear or neck hold from behind, but
Young hound viii frequently rush into
the bayed marsupizl's arms 80 70 speak, I
and II he gets away alive he / lGeky-
The kangaroo viii balance himself firm
ly On his tail, which Is both powerful
and spring.. and viii clasp the dog
around the body with his hind legs.
while he viii utilize the sharp claws Of
his fore paws 70 tear the brute's stomach
into ribbons and haul his entrails out.
Il remarked. before that kangaroOs did /
not take kindly to the water. but when
soaded 10 desperation on plain where
there are no trees OF rocks in sight 70
back up against, they viii not hesitate TO
flop into water hole, and It Is a matter
Of history that a kangaroo thus placed
has been known % grasp an attacking
hound and hold him under water until
drowned
The days Of rounding up are pretty
well al an end now, as the governments f.
Of the different Australian colonies pay
50 much scalp for kanSAroas, and this /
has induced hunters TO follow the busi-
hess Of kangaroo shooting. By this +.
means the troublesome animals are kept Z
down, and il Is only q question Of little /
time when they viii be wholly externi I
rva..i Sr- E--.r..ss.- P