SHEEP 373 



ity (Bui. 10, Div. of Agr. U. S. Dep. of Agr.) speaks of the condi- 

 tions in Texas as follows : "In a short time every acre of free grass 

 was stocked beyond its fullest capacity. Thousands of cattle or 

 sheep were crowded on the ranges where half the number was too 

 many. The grasses were entirely consumed; their very roots were 

 trampled into dust and destroyed. In their eagerness to get some- 

 thing for nothing speculators did not hesitate at the permanent in- 

 jury, if not total ruin, of the finest grazing country in America, 

 There is need in the first place of the enactment of more beneficient 

 lease laws to govern the use of county and State lands. Perma- 

 nency of tenure is essential, for it is only through such a condition 

 that stockmen can be made to see that it is to their own interest to 

 improve the carrying capacity of the range." 



What has ruined the grazing lands in Texas is going on in 

 Nevada to-day, but to a less extent. Many of the lands which are 

 now being used without cost, if needed in future years, will not be 

 worth even the smallest amount, if the present methods of using 

 the public range continue. (Nevada B. 55.) 



PASTURAGE SYSTEM FOR HANDLING RANGE SHEEP. 



These pages contain the results of experimental work during 

 1909 to determine the efficiency of the pasturage system of handling 

 sheep, with a view to the best utilization of grazing lands. The 

 studies, for the most part, were conducted in the coyote-proof pas- 

 ture at Billy Meadows, in the Wallowa National Forest, Oregon. In 

 addition, observations to determine the feasibility of the pasturage 

 system for lambing ewes were made on the lambing grounds on 

 open range as well as in pasture. The coyote-proof pasture com- 

 prises 2,560 acres in the form of a square, 2 miles on a side, made 

 up of 1,300 acres of heavy timber, 400 acres of open timber, and 860 

 acres of untimbered scab land and meadows. 



In these pages is discussed the durability of the coyote-proof 

 fence and the cost of maintaining it; the efficiency of the fence as a 

 protection against predatory animals, especially coyotes; the actions 

 of a band of Merino ewes with lambs sired by Shropshire rams when 

 unmolested in pasture; the effect of such a system of grazing upon 

 the sheep and upon the carrying capacity of the range ; the factors 

 that bring about the increase in weight of the sheep and the increase 

 in the carrying capacity of the range ; and a supplementary compar- 

 ative discussion of lambing ewes under the prevalent methods of the 

 herding system and lambing them in pasture. 



Repairing the Fence. The cost of keeping a coyote-proof fence 

 in proper repair will depend upon the thoroughness of construction 

 and the locality in which it is built. Unless the construction work 

 is well done in every detail there will be a constant need for repair of 

 loose and broken wires and holes under the fence. On the other 

 hand, a fence constructed with proper care on an untimbered area 

 will require little attention, and the cost of maintenance during the 

 first few years will be almost negligible. In a heavily timbered area 

 the damage done will vary with the intensity of snow and wind 

 storms. Great loads of wet snow may throw a few trees; accom- 



