VVATEK SUPrLV ON THK KANGES. 23 



indefinite distances. It must also be remembered that wolves and 

 co3'otes are still to be found in some numbers on sheep and cattle 

 ranges, and an attack by these animals upon the sheep is sure to 

 result in disastrous consequences. For the present, therefore, no other 

 method of managing sheep would seem practicable than the one now 

 in vogue. When wolves and co3^otes shall have been exterminated in 

 the localitj^ of sheep ranges, and these ranges shall have been inclosed 

 in sheep-tight fences, it will perhaps be possible to dispense with the 

 constant attendance of herders. It is probable that the method of 

 keeping sheep in comparatively small herds in inclosed areas and allow- 

 ing them to feed without any interference will secure ))etter results in 

 wool and mutton production than are secured by the present method. 



The realization of this change would relieve, moreover, another 

 perplexing problem in the management of the sheep range, namely, 

 to obtain efficient and reliable herders. From a business standpoint 

 the sheep owner nmst be considered to take great risk when he places 

 a band of sheep, valued at from $8,000 to $10,000, in the hands of a 

 man whom he has perhaps not known for more than a week. Many 

 of the herders are reliable and experienced, while unfortunately many 

 others, either from lack of experience or from irresponsible conduct, 

 cause the sheep owners great losses which could have been entirely 

 avoided. A further possible disadvantage of the existing system is 

 that the complete control and direction of the movements of the sheep 

 by herders may tend in a series of generations to render the sheep 

 more and more helpless and dependent on the protection and guidance 

 of man. It is a common fact of observation that sheep which have 

 been closel}" herded, if left to themselves, are at first completely help- 

 less and unable to seek protection against storms and to find water 

 supply. It would not seem unreasonable to suppose that if the method 

 of managing sheep mentioned above should become possible in the 

 western ranges, sheep would gradually acquire a knowledge of the 

 range and an ability to care for themselves similar to that possessed 

 by cattle and horses under the same conditions. 



The present method of managing sheep possesses the advantage that 

 when the herder knows by sight the poisonous plants of the range and 

 is acquainted with their habitat and distribution he may easily herd the 

 sheep away from the areas where such poisonous plants grow during 

 the season when they are dangerous. On many sheep ranges certain 

 areas have been found to be dangerous at certain times of the year, 

 and the sheep are alwa3's kept awa}" from these places during the dan- 

 gerous season. 



AVATER SUPPLY OX THE RANGES. 



The water supplj'^ on the stock ranges of Montana is abundant except 

 during very dry years. Near the mountains and along the foothills 

 numerous creeks and small streams are to be found, varying in size 



