The Holbrook news., 1912-08-02

1 which increases to 400 in ten years is
 one not uncommon instance. The does usually produce twins annually after the second year, when they have their first fauns.
 The Rate of Increase.
 "On our preserve in Pennsylvania, where 90 deer were liberated ten years ago, there are said to be nearly 4,000 head. In many cases the fences have had to be taken down to let them escape owing to shortage of food.
 Tt is probable that the Wapiti, or Rocky Mountain, elk, is best suited to breeding for market
 A mature elk will weigh from 600 to 1000 pounds, and the proportion of meat to correspond is greater than is the case with beef or mutton. Heads, horns and hides are also valuable, and the net return from one animal would be $50 or more.
 Deer and elk become very tame when kindly treated and given little salt or corn from the hand.
 "An important fact is that the busi- ness can be engaged in by the small est land owner with very little equip ment, while it is also capable of ex- tension if capital is available. One hundred and sixty acres can be fenced for $200 for elk and slightly more for deer. Even in a paddock, with shelter and food. the business can be success fully prosecuted.
 'In and around the Yellowstone park there are some 30.O00 elk. Their summer range is in the mountains, but at the beginning of winter they seek the plains where they formerly found ample food to carry them through the winter. In recent years most of this land has been taken up by farmers and the elk find it fenced and hay stacks guarded and there is nothing to save them from starvation. Im- mense numbers have miserably died in this way.
 ''Meager appropriations have recent ly been made by State of Wyoming to feed them, but this has not proved al together successful and there is still untold suffering and waste. It has been suggested that some of these elk should be transported to other ranges or put on private estates where they will be cared for. Divided up among the states they would soon become source of profit While in this pres ent condition they only excite pity and are practically useless.
 "A large private herd in Montana has recently been sold in Italy, where they will be set at liberty on pre- serves in the mountains of the north.
 "Many American elk have been sent to England and the continent of Flu rope, where they have been crossed with the European breeds, which has very much improved them"
 The bill provides that anyone de- string to engage in the raising or sell ing of domesticated American elk. white tail, red, fallow deer, roebuck or any species of deer in an inclosed license from the state game warden. The license fee is fixed at five dollars to be retained by the game warden. who upon being Satisfied with the good faith of the applicant shall issue B breeders license.
 The license, it is provided, shall give the breeder the right to raise and sell for breeding purposes all species of deer or kill the animals at any time and to sell the carcasses for food | When the preserve is located in Wash ngton, Allegheny or Garrett counties, the bill provides that white tail deer killed upon the preserve shall bear ! distinctive mark to show that the | animal was domesticated. A fine of | ;50 and forfeiture of the license is i'm i posed for failing to place a distinctive mark.
 It Is also provided that the preserve hall be fenced in a manner approved ,y the game warden.