WEST OF THE, MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 759 



In the farming districts the wool becomes heavier on account of dust 

 from the fields, and in those localities does not grade so well. On this 

 subject representative sheepmen express themselves as follows: 

 A. H. Rogers, of Aurora County, says : 



Wool has good, strong fiber, but on account of dry climate shows very little oil or 

 yolk. Sheep, whether imported or natives, are extremely healthy. 



J. B. Geddis, of Beadle County, president of South Dakota Wool- 

 Growers' Association: 



Wool improves, also the constitution, after the first season. 



M. F. Greeley, of Deuel County : 



The first winter is hard on them, with some loss almost invariably; afterward im- 

 prove on what they ever have been, every Avay. 



F. M. Hopkins, of Edmunds County: 



Wool increases in weight from 2 to 3 pounds per head after the first season, sheep 

 also are larger and stronger; but are liable to a loss of 3 per cent the first year. 



The rams used comprise various breeds, grades, and ages. As the 

 flocks number from a dozen head upwards to one or more thousands it 

 is not strange that a great variety of bucks are used. The larger own- 

 ers, known distinctively as sheepmen, generally confine themselves to 

 either the Merinos, pure bred and grades, or Shropshires, pure-bred 

 and grades. Some use the Merino bucks two years and then put in 

 Shropshires for two years, thus alternating. 



Where the ram is allowed to run with the flocks constantly, from 40 

 to 50 ewes are given each; but when they are thoroughbred, from 75 

 to 100 are given each ram. 



The usual time for turning in the rams is during November or De- 

 cember. Some turn them in as early as September, but this is not the 

 rule unless the main object is the producing of early lambs. The mut- 

 ton breeds are usually bred earlier than the Merinos. Most of the 

 South Dakota sheep-owners wisely practice hand breeding and use a 

 better class of bucks. After all the ewes are bred the ranis are allowed 

 to run with the flock until about shearing time. As most of the flocks 

 are small this practice is common. In the larger flocks the method is 

 to let the rams run with the flocks from four to six weeks, and hand 

 breeding is not attempted. The rams, after the season, are kept with 

 the flock of wethers. 



The average per cent of lambs raised varies somewhat, the mutton 

 breeds making a larger showing than the Merinos. Flockmasters 

 variously estimate the per cent from 75 to 95. The average for all 

 classes of sheep will not fall much, if any, short of 85 per cent. The 

 percentage of ewes in the flock that fail to breed is quite small, and is 

 estimated at from 1 to 5 per cent each year. 



In South Dakota the general custom is to provide both feed and 

 shelter during winter whenever it is necessary from severe or stormy 



