CHAPTER VIII. 



FLOCK HUSBANDRY IN THE WESTERN 

 STATES. 



NEW MEXICO. 



The management of flocks upon the great ranges 

 of the West varies considerably according to the 

 climate and topography of the country and accord- 

 ing to the character of the men engaged in the in- 

 dustry. Probably the oldest sheep industry in the 

 United States was founded in New Mexico by the 

 early Mexican colonists of Spanish and Indian 

 origin. There are in New Mexico vast plains rang- 

 ing from 4,000 to 8,000 feet in altitude, interspersed 

 with mountains and canyons. These plains are gen- 

 erally covered with a rather thick, short grass of 

 considerable nutritive value. The climate is dry 

 and moderately cool, especially at night. 



The days are almost uniformly sunny and warm. 



The native Mexican sheep found there in its 

 purity is becoming more and more uncommon, owing 

 to the steady introduction of Merino blood. There 

 has also been introduced here more or less blood 

 from the English breeds, but as a rule the Merino 

 has been found to cross better and to withstand the 

 conditions better than the mutton breeds. 



Management on most of these Mexican ranches 



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