WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 757 



The foregoing returns and estimates show the relative rank of the 

 infant sheep industry as compared with the other branches of the an- 

 imal industry in the State, also give a correct basis for estimating ap- 

 proximately the actual number of sheep in the State. To the whole 

 number of sheep reported by assessors there should be added fully 

 one-fourth, and to this number the increase of sheep brought into the 

 State and the lamb crop of 1891. This would, after making all nec- 

 essary deductions for mutton sales, losses, etc., give the number of 

 sheep in South Dakota on January 1, 1892, as 534,894 head, valued at 

 $1,872,130. The wool clip for 1891 was nearly two million pounds, 

 which, with the sales of mutton, brought to the growers over a half 

 million dollars during the year 1891. The actual value of the sheep 

 industry of South Dakota, at this writing is not far from a total 

 valuation of five million dollars. 



GENERAL FACTS ABOUT THE INDUSTRY. 



Sheep husbandry is a new and undeveloped industry of South Da- 

 kota, and it will be some time before it settles down to a permanent 

 basis. Some essential facts relative to the adaptability of sheep as a 

 profitable branch of animal industry have already been demonstrated. 

 It now remains for time and experience to show what methods of man- 

 agement and what class of sheep are best for this section of country. 



At present the class of sheep most numerous in the State, the bulk 

 of which has been brought here from other States and Territories dur- 

 ing the past three years, are Merinos, their grades and crosses. Espec- 

 ially is this true of all the large flocks of 500 and upward. Flocks 

 which number less than 500 are mainly owned by the general farmer 

 and consist more largely of the mutton breeds, in which the blood of 

 the Downs predominates, the Shropshire being a leading favorite. At 

 present throughout the State the Shropshire ram is used almost as 

 extensively as the Merino, especially pure-bred rams. So general are 

 these two breeds in the State that when sheep-owners are asked what 

 dass of sheep are most numerous jn this country, they invariably 

 respond by saying, "Merino and Shropshire, their grades or crosses." 

 In almost every county, in addition to the Merino and Shropshire 

 sheep, there will also be found flocks of other mutton breeds, both mid- 

 dle-wools and the long- wools, but generally the sheep most numerous 

 throughout the State are the Merinos. 



The holdings of sheep are generally small, except those of companies 

 or corporations. The general range of numbers is from a dozen head 

 to 1,000, the latter being now regarded as a large flock. The "farmer 

 tlocks" usually number from 200 to 400, while the holdings of the com- 

 panies, speculators, and larger sheep-owners run from 500 to 1,000 head 

 and upward. 



All land not under cultivation in South Dakota affords excellent 

 pasture for shee]> because it is so well grassed over. If the live stock 



