Rural School Leaflet. 105 i 



seeds, once let fall, are wholly abandoned to chance, thousands perhaps 

 must be sown to supply one which will take root where it can grow to 

 maturity and in its turn bear seeds. 



The tree , calendar can be almost indefinitely expanded, and those 

 whose interest is great enough can easily become scientific observers 

 and make records which will contribute to a better knowledge of forestry 

 in the United States. The Forest Service is preparing to enlist the 

 services of volunteers in exactly this work, and particularly wants 

 teachers to join in it. There is no reason why the more advanced pupils 

 also may not become regular observers for the Forest Service, if a pains- 

 taking and sustained interest are assured. The object is to collect a 

 large volume of data on the times of blossoming, leafing, and fruiting 

 of native forest trees, in different localities. Do you want to know 

 about this work? If so, send in your name to the Forest Service, Wash- 

 ington, D. C, as a possible volunteer. An explanation of what you 

 would have to do will then be sent to you. 



SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



Elmer S. Savage 



Sheep farming in North America has passed through a number of 

 phases and may now be said to be represented by several distinct 

 types of effort. The two main divisions are: 



(a) Sheep ranching in the West. 



(b) Small flock husbandry on our eastern farms. 



The small flocks in the East have gradually been growing less and 

 less in number, due to the great areas of cheap lands and of free range 

 in the West. By the settling of these free ranges, however, and the 

 rise in value of land in the West, the equilibrium is again being restored 

 and great interest is being manifested in sheep-breeding in the East. 



Since the ranching method of raising sheep is passing, it may be of 

 interest to say something about it before taking up the care and manage- 

 ment of sheep on small farms in New York, or in the East in general. 



Sheep farming of the mountain states, Montana, Wyoming, and 

 Idaho, for example, is practically a pasturage business. During the 

 winter, the sheep are kept on the plains at the home place and pastured 

 in the open, in some cases supplemental feed being given and shelter 

 provided in time of severe cold or heavy snows. A shed one hundred 

 feet square will provide shelter and a feeding place for two or three 

 thousand sheep. The amount of hay or supplemental forage needed 

 to carry the sheep through the Avinter period is not very large when 



