330 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



secure fresh grazing grounds. It is desirable to have sheds in winter as a protection against 

 severe storms. A large percentage of sheep in many of the ranches are owned by persons 

 who do not manage them themselves, but who take, as an associate, a man of integrity and 

 experience in the business, but destitute of capital, to whom the entire charge of the flock is 

 given, and for his services the usual allowance is one-half the increase of the flock. While 

 many make a remarkable success in this business, others meet with reverses, as will be seen 

 by the following from one of our leading journals: 



&quot; To illustrate what can be really done with sheep in Montana, the experience of Judge 

 Davenport is related. Four years ago last July, the Judge bought 1,000 ewes, which cost 

 him in the neighborhood of $3,000. These he put in charge of a young man, who was to 

 take them on a range, care for them, pay all the expenses of the band, and to receive as his 

 share one-half of the wool produced and one-half the increase of the flock. At the end of 

 four years a settlement was to be made, and Judge Davenport was then to receive back 1,000 

 of the best ewes which the band contained. The settlement was made last Jiily. In the 

 meantime Judge Davenport had received for his share of the proceeds of the wool, $6,500, 

 and for his share of the increase, $8,000. The profits of his investment of $3,000 for four 

 years were, therefore, $14,500, or $3,625 or 121f per cent, a year! 



During the same year other men made only 50 or 60 per cent, on their sheep, and some, 

 who, from inexperience or bad fortune met with heavy losses, perhaps not more than 25 per 

 cent. Absolute losses, it is said, are very rare if a man sticks to the business for a period of 

 three or four years. In illustration of this the case of one man who, driving a large band of 

 sheep from the South a year or two ago, was caught by the winter in an unfavorable place, 

 and lost one-half or two-thirds of his flock, is cited. This unfortunate individual at the end 

 of three years, when he came to balance his books, found that the remnant of his band had 

 done so well that his profits had been about 25 per cent, a year on his original investment.&quot; 



Life on the Colorado sheep ranches is thus described by a correspondent of one of our 

 leading agricultural journals : 



&quot;There is a novelty and charm about this life which attract very many from the older 

 States, and one is constantly discovering in the rough herder s garb men of education and 

 culture. They are fond of the freedom and exhilaration of this mode of existence, which also 

 promises health, wealth, and adventure. Very many of the herders or hired men are fresh 

 from college; youths who are serving their apprenticeship in the occupation of sheep-raising. 

 Others come here from the Eastern and Middle States to engage in mining operations. They 

 are unsuccessful, become straightened for money, and take to herding because herders are in 

 demand. Their wages vary from fifteen to thirty dollars a month and board, according to 

 capacity and experience. Many not only remain with their sheep during the day, but sleep 

 near them in the corrals at night, as a protection against wolves. On three successive nights 

 since we have been here, these wolves have made a descent upon the corral, killing several 

 lambs. In the early days of Colorado sheep-raising, the herders were accustomed to camp 

 with their flocks wherever night overtook them. This, however, was found to be a danger 

 ous practice, inasmuch as the sudden storms of the Colorado plains would blind and scatter 

 the sheep, and often lead to great loss. Sheep invariably go before a storm. Sometimes 

 they cannot be checked, but will push on to certain destruction. We recall one instance 

 where three thousand sheep in southern Colorado, overtaken at night by a sudden storm, 

 blindly followed their leader over a precipice, and perished in the waters below, not one 

 escaping. Now the ranchmen have their sheep corralled at sunset, instead of keeping them 

 out on the plains. Though generally manifesting but little intelligence, they invariably dis 

 play much sagacity in wending their way toward the corral, which they know will afford 

 them protection against wolves, and keep them warm and comfortable. The sheep soon come 

 to know the herders, and manifest as much affection for them as sheep are capable of. It is 

 not well, however, to have them become too tame, because they hang back and do not drive 



