The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-11-01


tides seek for kelp. eto. have been In
formed that 1t Is simply from force Of
habit, which 1 doubt.
CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG SHEEP.
while numbers Of sheep Gle from star
By wandering on from the island TO the
reefs at low tide In Rearoh Of kelp and
sea weed, and while feeding the tide
comes In and cuts them on, and their
DO lies floating TO the shore have been
the cause OF many co mplaints, especial
ly among the summer resi- dents.
WATER SUPPLY.
But few of the barren islands long
the coast OF Maine have any water that
sheep require. Il is well proven from
the fact that II supplied wi tn 1t they will
are forced by the cruelty Of man TO lap
the dew from the earth and what rain
falls from the heavens.
CARE OF SHEEP.
From time immemoriaI sheep have
had 18th, the , ears and guidance OF man, and
to sieet, and cold northeast winds for
at least six months In the year without
food or shelter, except what they pick mp
along the beach, and for owners to claim
that their sheep do not suffer from lack
VI AOou anu ohcAtChs duEAuk tnt WluItF
months, is simply ridiculous, and 1t is
only the strong arm OF the law that will
make them realize the difference.
1t is tie general. conoensus of opinion
among the citizens along the coast of
Maine, who HAYS had ample opportunity
to observe the condition of sheep on the
islands, that they do suffer for the lack of
food and shelter during the winter months
ana they are hopeful that the society
Will take some action fer their better
protection during the winter months.
The general opinion of citizens who
understand the habits of sheep Is that
sheds erected for their protection on bar
rem islands are of no practical utility
except when guided to them and fed.
In conversation with one of the leading
citizens In the town of Addison, who Is
also U. 3. official, he said that during
the winter Of 98, 50 sheep were frozen
to death on Fosters Island for lack of
food and shelter.
A prominent gentlemen in the same
town informed me that during the win.
ter months he Is in the habit of going ON
cunning expeditions among the islands,
ana has witnessed many instances where
sneep have been frozen to death from
lack of food, being unable to extricate
themselves from the underground and
snow, through sheer weakness, the ISL
and being Wall sheltered. Many other
cases could be cited, but lack of space
forbids it.
On a number of the islands found
they were overstocked. vegetation being
scart in proportion to the amount Of
acreage they contain, consequently, sheep
must suffer from hack of pasturage dur
in the summer.
Making due allowance for exaggerated
statements due to a personal nj feelings
against owners, 1t Is safe to say that the
condition of sheep On the islands during
the winter months from want OF food
and shelter Is something terrible.
In conclusion / wish to express my
thanks to MIR Eben N. Perry, agent M.
S 5. p. A., for the kindly aid, assistance
and advice, while on the yacht from
Rockland to Swans island, which was
of great benefit to me in making intelli-
gent Investigations on the Islands, and
also for the trust and confidence he has
always placed In me. and hope the soci-
ETY. Will be satisfied with the amount Of
work done, for 1t was under many dis
advantages from storm and fog which
rendered IL for days dangerous and diff
cult to land on the various islands ex-
posed to the open sea,
l have endeavored to faithfully perform
the work assigned me, and present this
report, which is from my own personal
observation and from statements of re-
liable citizens who are interested In this
humane work.
am, sir, very respect uily, your obedi-
emit servant,
John McManus,
State Agent, p. A.
The society voted at the conclusion of
the reading of the above report that the
owners of sheep on those islands where
the animals are not properly provided
with food, water and shelter, must move
them by the middle of December or they
Will be prosecuted by the society. The
owners of sheep on such islands will be
notified In formal manner ana through
the newspapers, and II they don't take
warning Will be prosecuted.
II you want to see the World go to
"Mou ntain View Park"