WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 793 



on the industry. The low price of wool, unsettled values generally on 

 account of tariff agitation, together with high freight rates to Eastern 

 wool markets and settlers homesteading Government land had depressed 

 the business, but favorable legislation and the increased demand for 

 mutton have checked the decline and given the industry a new stimulus. 

 The demand for stock sheep is once more the rule in many sections of' 

 Colorado. 



In regard to the best methods for profitably conducting sheep hus- 

 bandry in Colorado under existing circumstances, it is well to state 

 that the consensus of the opinions of representative sheepmen of differ- 

 ent parts of the State is in substance as follows : First, select the best 

 possible location for the home ranch or farm a place where irrigation 

 may be carried on to produce the necessary feed crops, and to have ad- 

 jacent, or conveniently near, plenty of outside grazing land. Next, start 

 with good sheep and run them in medium sized flocks. It pays better 

 than to run large flocks of inferior sheep. Be sure to have plenty of 

 grass and water in summer and provide abundant feed in winter, also 

 shelter for at least three months. Change the range frequently. Keep 

 the corral clean and have plenty of salt for the sheep. Have a compe- 

 tent man and dog with each flock, and bring the sheep into the corral 

 at night. Take good care of them at all times and extra care of the 

 lambs, and when the grass dries up in the fall put the lambs on the 

 farm or home ranch. In breeding, grade up to produce more wool and 

 mutton. Select extra good rams, either full fleeced and large sized 

 Merinos or mutton breed rams to breed on the ewes. Experienced 

 flockmasters say that sheep should be bred up so that 2-year-old wethers 

 will weigh 100 pounds gross and shear 7 or 8 pounds of wool, and that 

 such sheep with proper management will pay 25 per cent profit above 

 all expenses. Do not trust too much to hired help. Give the business 

 your personal attention, and let some other man run for the legislature. 

 As a rule it is safe to provide feed and shelter for three months of the 

 year; especially provide feed for early spring, when the sheep are weak 

 and unable to " rustle." The aged sheep should be fattened on alfalfa 

 for the mutton market. With good breeding, good feeding and water- 

 ing, combined with eternal vigilance and good business sense, the sheep 

 industry is profitable to the producer. A safe insurance against loss 

 from exposure is the provision of shelter and feed. 



Mr. Frank Hall, United States Treasury expert, in his report on the 

 resources of Colorado, gives valuable information, from which some 

 facts are gleaned which pertain to the sheep industry of this State. 

 The price of agricultural products in Colorado for 1889 were as follows : 

 Corn, per cwt., 86 cents; oats, per cwt., $1.05 to $1.07; wheat, per cwt., 

 $1.60; hay, per ton, $10 to $16. Speaking of grasses, he says: 



The grasses, both tame and wild, are successfully grown, making great yields of 

 nutritious hay, and, as shown by analysis, are nearly double in valuable albumi- 

 noids when compared with the same grasses in rainy sections. Timothy, orchard, 



