Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1869 [PAGE 330]

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316 Mr. SCOTT—I have some experience in raising sheep, though not with the fine-wooled variety. I breed some of the Southdowns and Cotswold, and sent to Kentucky to get them. My experience is that the Cotswold is not adapted to this cold climate, and in some seasons the wool is inferior. But my Southdowm continue to improve. I consider them the best for our small faring and cold climate. They do not yield as much wool or mutton, but it is better mutton, and commands a better price. I recently sold two car loads of these sheep in Chicago for six and threequarter cents, when common sheep were selling at four cents. I have on several occasions sold these sheep at an advance of one and a-half cents over common sheep. I wish to say in regard to the dog question that I fear our farmers will have to abandon sheep raising on account of the dogs. Yery recently the dogs got into my flock and killed from forty to fifty lambs. I consider that they injured the flock one-half. Mr. liicE—I ask whether dogs are considered property in the State of Illinois ? Mr. A. J. DUNLAP—Perhaps the gentleman will find out if he kills somebody's dog! Mr. .RICE—I have tried it. ^ VOICE—They are taxed, or should be. Mr. SCOTT—I would be willing to pay a tax of five dollars on any dog that I was willing to keep. I cannot see why any man wants to keep anything about him that is not worth enough to be taxed. It is only the wortliless dogs that run about the country that give us this trouble and loss. Mr. H. J. DUNLAP—Many act upon the principle " you kick my dog, you kick me." Mr. ROBINSON—I would recommend for the dogs a piece of mutton with strychnine on it. I would not hesitate to give it to them. Mr. SCOTT—If I put out poison on the highway and kill the dog, I think the way the law stands I am liable for the value of the dog. Mr. BALDWIN—I think if the farmers of the State would petition the Legislature they could secure the passage of a law providing that no man shall keep a dog without a license and the payment of five dollars. This would dispose of worthless dogs, for no one would pay five dollars for a dog good for nothing. I