Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-06-22

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 80 deer were liberated ten
years ago, there are said to be nearly
1000 head. In many cases the fences
have had to be taken down to let
them escape. owing to shortage OF
food.
at is probable that the Wapit. or
Rocky Mountain, elk. is best suited to
breeding for market.
mature elk will weigh from 900
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 $3.50 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 1t is also capable OF ex'
tension II capital is available. One
hundred and sixty acres can be fenced
for 5000 for elk and slightly more for
deer. Even in a paddock. with shelter
and food. the business can be success
fully prosecuted.
I'm and around the Yellowstone
park there are some 10000 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. I'm
mense pumbers 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. Il 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
emit 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 Eu.
rope, where they have been crossed
with the European breeds, which has
very much improved them"
The bill provides that anyone do
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
preserve may do SO upon receiving
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
a 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
ington, Allegheny or Garrett counties.
the bill provides that white tail deer
killed upon the preserve shall bear
o distinctive mark to show that the
animal was domesticated. A fine Of
$50 and forfeiture OF the license is i'm.
posed for falling to place distinctive
mark.
II is also provided that the preserve
shall be fenced in manner approved
by the game warden.