746 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



generally would prefer immunity from prairie fires rather than from the 

 severest winter ever known. In the past the disastrous results from 

 these fires each year have been far greater than the combined losses of 

 several severe winters. Heretofore the coming of prairie fires was of 

 regular annual occurrence, while hard winters of unusual severity, 

 causing large loss of stock, are not the rule. But few people have an 

 adequate idea of the loss every year from these fires. Besides the di- 

 rect loss of property it is a serious drawback upon the prosperity and 

 development of the State. So widespread had become this annual dev- 

 astation, where grass must always constitute the chief natural source 

 of wealth, that the last legislature felt it imperative to consider this as 

 a matter of prime importance, and accordingly enacted a statutory pro- 

 vision which, if rigidly enforced, will give greater immunity in the fu- 

 ture. Mechanical genius should be encouraged to invent some method 

 of burning with safety fire-guards, and thereby materially aid in the 

 development of these new and great prairie States. 



The present law in force regarding prairie fires will undoubtedly re- 

 sult in a general and uniform action among the farmers and stockmen, 

 so that loss of live stock and other property will be greatly lessened 

 hereafter, even if the law does not afford absolute protection. The 

 sentiment of the people is so favorable to a law of this nature that no 

 fears are entertained as to its enforcement. 



PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVATIONS. 



The following paragraphs, compiled from correspondence and personal 

 interviews with practical sheep-owners, are particularly valuable and 

 interesting, because they present briefly in their own language many 

 pertinent pointers regarding the sheep industry. The experience, ob- 

 servations, and belief of these representative flockmasters portray 

 and mirror phases of the industry in such a graphic and pertinent 

 manner that the report for North Dakota would be incomplete without 

 them. They are the voluntary testimony of persons whose time and 

 money are employed in demonstrating whether or not sheep husbandry 

 can safely be relied upon as one of the permanent industries of this 

 young Commonwealth. Some of the statements are from the pioneer 

 sheepmen of this region, and whatever facts appear are especially 

 worthy of consideration : 



T. M. Elliott, Elliott, Eansom County: 



I shipped in 9,000 head from Montana last year and sold them to farmers in bands 

 from 50 to 700 head; prices, $3.50 to $4. I find an increasing demand for them and 

 expect to see many thousands of them brought in this year. 



H. S. Dickinson, Dickinson, Stark County: 



The outlook for sheep is good. There is an increasing demand and they seem to 

 be doing well so far. The amount of wool shipped last year was 66,000 pounds; 

 estimated at twice as much this year. 



