CHAPTER XV. 

 Sheep. 



Sheep raising has for many years been one of the chief 

 animal industries of the United States. 



According to reports by the government, there were on 

 January i, 1913, 51,482,000 sheep in the U. S. They were valued 

 at $202,779,000. What was the average value per head? 



The number of sheep of shearing age April i, 1912, was 

 38,481,000 and the average weight per fleece was 6.82 pounds. 

 What was the total production of wool? 



It has been estimated by competent authority that good 

 breeding, selection, and feeding would raise the production of 

 wool up to 10 Ibs per head. What would be the value of this 

 increased production per head at the present market price of 

 wool ? 



The advantages of the sheep industry are mainly dependent 

 upon the following well established facts : 



1. Sheep are economical producers, requiring less than the average 

 number of pounds of feed required to produce a pound of gain, 

 among farm animals. 



2. Initial investment for beginners in sheep raising need not be great. 



3. Beginning with a small flock, it will grow with the experience of 

 the owner. 



4. Returns from investment are soon realized. 



5. Two crops per year; wool and lambs. 



6. Income distributed: wool sold in the spring and lambs in the fall. 

 1 . Hot-house lambs may be sold at from 10 to 14 weeks of age. 



8. Spring or summer lambs are ready for market when 8 months old. 



9. Keeping ewe lambs will increase a flock very rapidly. 



10. Sheep will live on waste places where cultivation is unprofitable. 



11. They are the natural scavengers and fertilizers of the soil. 



12. They have no equal as a weed destroyer. They eat nearly all weeds 

 and grasses. 



13. They will build up run down land and restore fertility to worn our 

 pastures. 



14. They do not require expensive buildings. 



15. Sheep will do well in a dry, cool, well ventilated place. 



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