The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1904-10-15

attention as to what is the cause. Ine
matter was discussed in Canadian
agricultural paper not many months
ago and the fact was brought out in
the discussion that one of the chief
causes of such decline was the mis-
chief wrought by dogs. In Minnesota
we have no doubt whatever that this
dog menace is largely responsible for
the small number of sheep relatively
kept in this state. Only few years
ago large flock of registered Delaine
sheep was established at Newport not
many miles from st. Paul. The losses
from dogs in this flock were SO many
and so continuous that the owner felt
constrained to remove the remnant OF
the flock to Montana. This is but
one instance among many which could
be cited in which equally vexatious
losses occurred.
One of the worst features in this
evil lies in the fact that it becomes
more aggravated as population in
creases. On the ranges the losses OF
sheep from dogs are few indeed. AS
towns grow and cities enlarge, the
sheep industry recedes from them.
The opposite result should follow. The
writer has been urging farmers to
Keep Su00p vi CuOll ldl LID IL LII liz
other purpose than to furnish mutton
for the family. But how can this be
succe ssfully carried out near towns
and cities without corralling the sheep
at night? Where is the farmer who
can afford to grow mutton to be de-
voured by his neighbours ours? Viewed
from this standpoint, the evil is ap-
palling in it's magnitude.
hu CHI thic 0nifip0nt indus
try be thus harassed and preyed up
on? What is it all for? Can the
legislators of the United States an
swer that question? 1t is for the sake
of what other industry? Why, for the
sake of the dog industry, and why
should the dog industry be so impor-
tant?
For the reason first, that sports
men are abroad in the land, and for
the reason, second, that a wonderful
bond exists between the average boy
and the average dog. The sporting
instinct is strong in men and this
probably accounts for the fact that it
is ten times easier to get law passed
in any state to protect wild animals
that run over the land, birds that fly
in the air and fish that swim in the
waters, than to get one passed that
will protect sheep from the savagery
of dogs. The average legislator has
more regard to the interests of the
great army of sportsmen than to the
great army of farmers who want to
grow sheep. The love of the boy for
the dog leads to the liberation and
multiplication of dogs, idle dogs and
worthless dogs all over the land.
What about this dog industry, any
way? Where can one find out about
it's strength? Would it not be an in
tere sting piece of information to know
the extent of this industry and what
it costs the country? We know that
the dogs of the United States would
number many millions. We know that
the food for dog is worth several
dollars a year. A big dog will take
more meat and bread than little boy.
This means, therefore, that many mil
lions year go toward the mainte-
nance of the dog industry, and to what
purpose? Why, that it may continue
a standing menace to the progress of
the sheep industry in the United
States. 1t is sad indeed to think that
many poor wage Garner will give
bread and meat to maintain a dog
which ought to be the portion of his
own children; and it is sadder indeed