742 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



that may be assigned for these large results was the mild winter and 

 the consequent good condition of the ewes. The lowest average was 

 reported from those whose flocks consisted mostly of western sheep, 

 while the average reported from 90 and above were mainly from the 

 older and smaller flocks located in the farming districts. 



In these small flocks very few of the ewes, unless they are old or out 

 of condition, fail to breed. The largest number reported in any county 

 failing to breed is 10 per cent, while the average for the State is placed 

 at 2 to 5 per cent, which, in view of the mixed character of sheep han^ 

 died, is remarkably small. 



The flockmaster of North Dakota finds it necessary to feed and shel- 

 ter during winter, and in this respect his method differs from that in 

 vogue in Montana. Every sheepman expects to provide both feed and 

 shelter, which is unquestionably a wise and necessary provision. In 

 most portions of the State shelter is only required at night or during 

 stormy weather. The only food absolutely required to carry sheep 

 through the winter is good hay. Yet flockmasters who have grain 

 available feed that as well, especially where the sheep consist of the 

 mutton breeds, and wheat screenings are abundant. This product is 

 a remarkably good sheep food, and makes more good mutton than 

 almost any other obtainable feed; besides it possesses the valuable 

 quality of cheapness. 



The ordinary shelter provided for winter consists of a great variety 

 of sheds, barns and the like. In the eastern part of the State, where 

 lumber is cheap, good comfortable sheds or barns are provided by those 

 who are able, but farther out in the State, where lumber is expensive, 

 other material must be used. Shelter, which will keep out wind and 

 snow, usually consists of a sod or brush wall, about 6 feet high, with 

 poles to support the roof, which is covered with coarse hay or straw. In 

 some cases the back and side walls are excavated from the slope of a 

 hill, and the whole thing cheaply constructed. 



The sheepmen are mainly landowners, that is, they own a quarter 

 section or more each. On this land is the home of the sheep owner, 

 with barns, sheds, etc., but the land used for grazing purposes is gen- 

 erally Government land. In some places the men lease the State lands 

 at a cost of $20 a section, in order to secure hay when they do not have 

 an abundance on the home farm. The grazing lands throughout the 

 State are what is generally known as free range. 



The main objects in sheep-raising in North Dakota are both wool 

 and mutton, the State naturally being adapted to both. In the grain- 

 raising district, good mutton is especially desired, with as much wool 

 as possible, while out on the plains, wool is the chief object, with as 

 good a mutton carcass as possible. 



Sheep-shearing begins in the latter part of May, and the season closes 

 in June, most of the clip being taken off during the latter month. The 

 shearing is conducted in the ordinary way, differing, however, from 



