WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 817 



occasionally brought in by Western sheep, although in recent years very 

 little trouble is being encountered from that parasite except by those 

 bringing in Western sheep. 



The loss of sheep in Minnesota is very light from all sources. The 

 chief source of loss is dogs, since the wolf- bounty law has encouraged 

 the destruction of wolves. Owing to the provisions made by most of 

 the sheep-owners for winter the loss from exposure is trifling, and sel- 

 dom exceeds from 1 to 2 per cent. The losses from dogs are variously 

 reported at from 2 to 10 per cent, with perhaps an average of 5 per cent 

 for the State. 



The usual method of handling the flocks in summer is to let them run 

 in pastures during the day and stay in the open sheds in yards at night 

 where water and salt are accessible. During the cold weather of win- 

 ter they are kept mainly in the yards and sheds where hay and straw 

 are accessible at all times. During the winter, when the ground is not 

 covered with snow, the sheep during the middle of the day are turned 

 out to run in the fields, and the racks are then filled with hay and 

 straw, and where closed sheds are used they are opened and venti- 

 lated. 



To profitably conduct sheep husbandry, the skill of the sheep- owner 

 must be exercised during the winter season. His sheds and yards must 

 be adapted to the purposes for which they are used, in the matter of 

 health, economy, and convenience. There is no branch of animal indus- 

 try where vigilance will bring better returns than in the management 

 of sheep. It must be remembered that sheep, of all animals, deserve 

 civilized methods of management. 



THE SHEEP-FEEDING INDUSTRY. 



At the Union Stock Yards at South St. Paul 24,000 sheep were fed 

 during the winter of 1891->92; and at the Twin City Yards, nearMinnel 

 apolis, 25,000. The results are highly satisfactory. The experimenta- 

 stage of feeding sheep has demonstrated that it is a profitable enter- 

 prise, especially when feed is not high priced, or when aged wethers 

 can be purchased at reasonable prices on the range in Montana, Utah, 

 or the Dakotas. Wheat screenings and mill stufl's, which usually are 

 abundant and reasonably cheap feed, are very superior for sheep. Sheep 

 have been bought at the Chicago Stock Yards and shipped to the feed- 

 ing establishments at St. Paul, and then returned to Chicago for sale, 

 and yielded a handsome profit. The same parties are reported to have 

 purchased 30,000 sheep in Texas to be brought to Minnesota and fat- 

 tened during the present winter and made ready for the spring market. 

 Other feeders are now contracting sheep in Montana, Utah, and Idaho 

 for the same purpose. The sheep purchased are three and four years 

 old wethers, usually grade Merinos, some of which show the Down blood. 



The large feeders usually ship to Chicago, although to the extent of 

 the demand the home market trade is equally as satisfactory. 



This sheep-feeding business is a new feature of the industry in Min- 

 22990 52 



