176 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



ing water to them, soiling somewhat, and feeding 

 the lambs. He would not hesitate to undertake the 

 management of 400 ewes on one farm in any part 

 of the cornbelt, the regions most infested with stom- 

 ach worms. There is no business more sure of 

 profit than this. Lambs sell remarkably well and 

 the prospect is that as the western ranges are dimin- 

 ished they will sell better, for the ravages of 

 the stomach worm deter eastern farmers from going 

 into the business. The two serious obstacles to be 

 overcome are : first, the question of water and next, 

 the question of shade. Water is readily hauled in 

 mounted tanks as it usually is in England. Shade 

 is not absolutely essential. The writer has seen 

 very fat sheep in the San Joaquin valley of Califor- 

 nia confined to the alfalfa meadows and with no 

 shade whatever. Probably a system of canvas 

 sheds, long and narrow, would not be very expensive 

 nor too troublesome for one man to move and set 

 up unaided. Any sort of good grass will serve. 

 Kentucky bluegrass is to be preferred, perhaps 

 brome grass (Bromus inermis) is better; clovers 

 may be utilized and oats sown to be grazed off, with 

 peas. 



The writer does not hesitate to say that he looks 

 forward to seeing many sheep farms established in 

 the cornbelt, each carrying from 200 to 500 ewes 

 and managed nearly under this system. He feels 

 confident that no other branch of the live stock in- 

 dustry holds forth better prospects. 



It should be borne in mind that the earlier the 



