52 Tbansactions of the 



everj one of the most valuable orchards and vineyards that have pro- 

 duced these astonishing results made their beginning in a small way, as 

 doubtful experiments. With no other capital but good health and a 

 will to work, they have, by patient economy, frugality, and persevering 

 industry, accumulated valuable fortunes for themselves and at the same 

 time become benefactors to their fellow men. Let those of our fellow 

 citizens who are without labor, if they would enjoy like thrift and pros- 

 perity, imitate their example. 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 



This is another industry well adapted to our climate, and one that has 

 proved • rv successful and profitable here. The seasons are so mild and 

 favorable that the increase is very rapid, and the ranges have been gen- 

 erally so good heretofore that flocks have not required any additional 

 food. The wool has as a general thing considerably more than paid all 

 expenses of keeping, herding, and shearing the flocks, while the increase 

 of sheep, with good care, has averaged at least seventy-five per cent 

 per annum. Those who ten years ago started in the business with a few 

 hundred head of sheep and have remained in it, can now count their 

 flocks by the thousands and tens of thousands. Of late years, however, 

 a considerable difficulty has been experienced by the owners of large 

 flocks to secure sufficient pasture for them. The ranges have been cur- 

 tailed by the appropriation of the public lands for other agricultural 

 purposes, and owners of sheep are finding it necessary to seek other 

 ranges or buy the land required to support their flocks. Without some 

 precaution or provision for an unfavorable season like that of eighteen 

 hundred and sixty-three and eighteen hundred and sixty-four, or the 

 fore part of the present Winter, the owners of large flocks are most 

 certain to meet with heavy losses whenever such seasons occur. Again, 

 by allowing the condition of the sheep to become low, the staple of the 

 wool clip of the succeeding shearing is materially injured. These 

 circumstances point to the necessity of adopting a different system of 

 sheep husbandry. We would suggest the seeding down portions at 

 least of ranges to alfalfa, some of which might be used for pasture dur- 

 ing the season when the natural grasses are the poorest, and portions 

 for cutting hay to be used when it may become necessary. We would 

 here also repeat our former recommendations — that the farmers of the 

 State enter upon the practice of keeping small flocks of sheep on their 

 farms in connection with their cows, hogs, and other farm stock. Thus 

 they will diversify and increase the industries and multiply the sources 

 upon which they depend for the receipts and profits of the farm. They 

 may also in this way provide a read}* supply of meats for their families 

 at all times without even feeling the cost. A few acres of Chile clover 

 set aside as a general stock pasture and a stack of wheat straw will be 

 about all the provisions necessary to keep up a respectable supply of the 

 live stock for the farm. 



WOOL. 



While, for want of reliable information on tl_e subject, we are unable 

 to state the number of sheep in the State, or the increase from year to 

 year, we are able from commercial reports to give the annual wool clip, 

 and thus indirectly show the rapid increase of our flocks. During the 

 five years commencing in eighteen hundred and sixty -three and ending 

 with eighteen hundred and sixty-eight, the average annual increase of 



