714 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



year a great many stock sheep were sold to speculators in the Dakotas. 

 Many of these were culls or cheap sheep, except among those sold to 

 the owners direct. About 20 to 30 per cent of the entire flocks of the 

 State are now disposed of annually, and are sold after shearing is over. 

 The stock sheep are taken from August to November, and the mutton 

 sheep and wethers from September to November. The stock sheep 

 sold last year went mainly to the Dakotas at prices ranging from $2 to 

 $3.25, a probable average of $2.50 or $2.75. The mutton sheep and 

 wethers sold from 50 cents to $1 a head higher, and netted the owners 

 from $3 to $3.50. Dealers resold them in St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Chi- 

 cago. The bulk of those fit for slaughter are shipped in car-load lots 

 to Chicago direct, or if the sheep are not in prime condition, they are 

 given a stop-over at some of the feeding stations in Illinois, and fin- 

 ished for the market on grain and then sent on to market and bring the 

 top prices. The gross weight of these muttons runs from 90 to 130 

 pounds, or an average of not less than 100 pounds. These weights 

 are of sheep sent to market oft' the grass, and does not include shrink- 

 age incident to the long shipment to Chicago. Grain-fed sheep aver- 

 age higher. 



One of the most expensive features of the business in Montana is the 

 comparatively high wages paid herders, who command from $35 to $50 

 a month and board. The prevailing price is about $40. The average 

 cost per sheep a year, including all expenses, is variously estimated by 

 different sheep-owners of Montana from 25 cents to $1.25, the cost de- 

 pending on the class of sheep, locality and environments, skill and 

 management. The reports name 50 cents, 75 cents or $1, about evenly 

 divided. The following detailed statement made by Col. David Sellers, 

 of Montana, in 1888, illustrates the basis of calculation and answers 

 the purpose of an outside and conservative calculation : 



Investment. 



Two thousand stock sheep at $2.25 $4, 500 



Horses, corrals, stables, etc 1, 500 



Twenty-five ranis at $15 each 375 



6,375 



Annual expenses. 



One herder, including hoard $600 



One man help, including hoard 600 



Two extra men, four months 400 



Shearing expenses 200 



Freight, taxes, salt, etc 200 



Other expenses 200 



2,200 

 Income. 



Wool, 12,000 pounds, at 18 cents $2,160 



Increase of flock, 40 per cent, at $2.25 1, 800 



3,960 



