WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 775 



The principal disadvantages and difficulties encountered by the 

 sliei'pmeii of Wyoming are the fencing of the free range or public land 

 by large corporations, which often includes the hay land and watering 

 places, and especially desirable ranges. The depredation of wild ani- 

 mals is a serious obstacle, "which demands the constant watchfulness of 

 the herders day and night to prevent loss ; scarcity of competent herders 

 and ranch hands to properly care for the sheep; storms and deep snows; 

 scarcity of railroads for transporting sheep and wool; impassable roads 

 or long, tedious drives over rough or barren countries to reach shipping 

 stations; scarcity of water in many places on the plains, and last, but 

 not least, the present system of selling wool by consigning to Eastern 

 commission houses, with its consequent long railroad hauls and longer 

 freight bills, with uncertainty as to the time and amount of returns. As 

 the profits of the business depend on the wool sales it works a hard- 

 ship on the producer to be at the mercy of his commission merchant for 

 returns. 



The local advantages of the State for sheep husbandry may be men- 

 tioned briefly, as follows: It is a natural grazing country, specially 

 adapted to pastoral pursuits. No portion of the Eocky Mountain coun- 

 try is better suited in every way for stock-raising than Wyoming. 

 Although the State is located in the arid regions, yet by virtue of 

 its characteristics of soil, rainfall, elevation, and natural food supply 

 throughout the entire year, this comparatively dry area is specially 

 adapted to grazing purposes, and the larger portion of the State will 

 never be available for anything else. The large area and great va- 

 riety of grazing lands permit the system of frequent changes of range, 

 which keeps the sheep in a thrifty and growing condition. There is an 

 abundance of free public land, and there are no contagious diseases, 

 hence the sheep are healthy, and the small cost of handling them is an 

 important item on the credit side of the account. Disease is practically 

 unknown. There are exceptional complains of catarrh, tapeworm, and 

 an occasional case of poisoning. None of these affections are general. 

 The only disease which may be said to be common is scab, but this is 

 well under control, and in some counties it has been so nearly eradicated 

 that inspectors are not needed. The stringent scab laws afford ample 

 protection to the flockmasters. Even in infected flocks very little loss 

 occurs, as they are cured by dipping. 



Generally speaking, the sheep industry of Wyoming is flourishing, 

 although there is something of a decline in the southeastern part of 

 the State, owing to the fencing of the range. In localities where the 

 business is unfettered it is looking up, and the sheepmen feel encour- 

 aged. They are making more money than any other class of stock- 

 men; however, not many new men are engaging in the business, being 

 deterred by the fear of further tariff agitation. The best ranches are 

 already occupied by men who do not care to sell. In Johnson and 

 Fremont counties bright prospects are reported for an increased num- 

 ber of sheep. 



