The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-10-21
WASTED DOG POWER.

A rather unusual subject for con-
sular report is that chosen by Mr..
Nicholas Smith. the American consul
at Liege, in Belgium, who writes upon
the use of dogs as draught animals in
that country. 1t is very Interestingly
written paper, and it could be wished
that it might have an influence in
determining the future of the canine
race in this country. Speaking of the
working dog as the first distinctive
institution that attracts the attention of
a stranger ID Belgium, Mr.. Smith says :
"From time immemorial this hereditary
loafer has been given over to pleasure,
but, like certain other of the privileged
classes in this revolving world of ours,
he has had his day-at least in Bel.
GUM.
1t appears that Liege, which is a
wealthy and industrial city, employing
as many horses as any other town OF
its size IN Europe, shows at least two
dogs in harness on its streets for every
horse that can be seen. Dogs are en-
ployed by market gardeners, bakers
grocers, porters and expressmen. The
dogs step is much quicker than that
Of the horse, that he will in an hour
cover twice the distance and carry with
him a greater burden in proportion to
his size. Consul Smith says that a
pretty, bareheaded Walloon peasant
girl moving briskly at the side of a
flower cart drawn by q stalwart mastift
is a pleasing vision to an early riser.
The usual draught of an ordinary
dog is 600 pounds, though a mastlff is
often taxed with as much again. Dogs
are also used in treadmills for moving
light machinery. Here is good hint
for our farmers, who might turn their
vagabond dogs to good account in the
working of churns. cutting of food for
cattle, saving wood, ect. They also
might be made of valuable service in
running the family sewing machine,
pumping water, rocking the cradle,
grinding coffee, and performing other
domestic work where motive power
could be made available. Consul
Smith relates that gentleman in Leige,
after losing the use OF his legs. had a
perambulator so constructed that q
Danish hound which had been hi:
companion for years, could be hitched
and almost concealed between the
wheels, and now appears as regularly
IN his old haunts on the boulevard as
any of his friends. The dog is de
scribed as being not only as happy al
when he loitered at his masters heels,
but manifestly proud Of the service hi
renders him.
Dogs as draught animals are utilized
extensively in Germany and othe1
parts of Europe, but Consul Smith say
that in Belgium this is comparatiyel.
new use for the dog, and one of th'
latest and most approved development:
of that country's civilization. Dog:
are kept like horses at livery in con
siderable numbers at cost of FIVE o
six cents a day; horse flesh and blacl
bread forming the staple Of their food
Where one or two dogs are kept in {
family the cost is practically nothing
and their service is made very valuable
Experiments of breeding, like thoss
which have been SO successful in th'
Improvement of horses, are now being
made with dogs to produce style o
animal especially fitted for harness. l
is thought a desideratum to graft tn:
spendid chest and breathing capacity o
the bull dog upon the slalwart stock o
the mastiff, which has been found toe
long in the back and legs. There are
markets in Belgium where dogs art
bought and sold for draught purpose:
as horses are at Tattersall's, and it
not unusual for compact and wei
broken dog to bring $40 or SIS.
Consul Smith points out that force
equal to that OF Niagara is running t.
waste in the United States at the yer
heels of the people. He estimates tha
in our wasted dog power we have al
idle force in America of at least $500,
ooo, 900 pounds, reckoning the strengt
of dogs at 500 pounds, which l
probably much below the average
The consul says that there is not a
article of merchandise, from ton c
coal to a loaf of bread, sold IN any {
our cities, which might not be NOR
advantageously delivered by dogs tina
by horses, and he points out that l
their employment certain municip:
advantage would be gained, for th
litter made by horses is the most frul
full source of dirt in our city, to sa
nothing OF the great saving in the we;
and tear of pavements.
Consul Smith presents the case
favor of the industrial utilization {
dogs very well, indeed, although 1t ma
not be found practicable in this cour
try owing to our different methods {
dong things, nevertheless it might b
) worth while to try the experiment.
: somebody would make a good sta