482 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



The section of country embraced in this chapter breeds to-day every 

 variety of sheep known in the United States, and every breed does 

 well. There are still a few large flocks maintained, but in general the 

 flocks are small. We seldom find a farmer exclusively engaged in the 

 business, but we find many who raise a few small flocks, running from 

 15 to 50 animals, well cared for and yielding some profit. Unfortu- 

 nately the majority of farmers raise no sheep, and the reason given for 

 the neglect is the want of proper laws against dogs. 



Since 1870 there has been a decrease in the number of sheep, but the 

 improvement in quality is ample compensation. The great improve- 

 ment in Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland since 1882, and the slight 

 improvement in the South Atlantic States, has been almost exclusively 

 due to the use of Shropshire rams, which are now being extensively 

 imported and generally disseminated. 



