WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 819 



E. S. Holmes, Brown ton, McLeod County: 



I have kept sheep for seventeen years in this State and it has always paid me bet- 

 ter than any other branch of the farm. I have kept the Merino for wool, but have 

 changed my plan and ain crossing them with the Shropshire, with a view of raising 

 both mutton and wool, for with the low price of wool and good price of mutton I 

 think it will pay better. 



T. P. Grant, Luverue, Kock County: 



I have kept sheep for eleven years in this country. Was among the first to bring 

 sheep to this county. Have about 500 acres of land under cultivation. Invested 

 about $600 in sheep in 1881, and about the same amount in brood mares, also like 

 amount in cows and hogs. Have made more out of sheep in the eleven years than 

 out of all the balance of my stock. Our dog law needs amending. 



William Hysop, Chester, Olmsted County: 



Have kept sheep for twenty years and find them the most profitable stock on the 

 farm. As wool keeps declining I intend to raise larger sheep and depend more on 

 mutton than wool. While the long winters here are a drawback, it is largely offset 

 by the good health of sheep. 



B. M. Owen, Dodge Center, Dodge County: 



My impression is that sheep-raising here is rather on the increase, owing mostly to 

 better prices for mutton, together with the benefits sheep are to the farm, for a sheep 

 never stepped on a piece of land but it left it in better condition than before. No 

 weed that has the least oil in it escapes the sheep. When one year old a sheep makes 

 a payment on his cost. A mutton ewe at eleven months old may, and does, produce a 

 lamb, and if well kept will raise it. A Merino ewe may produce a lamb at two years, 

 but should be three years old before she breeds. 



Alexander Harking, West Newton, Mcollet County: 



For over thirty years I have kept sheep on this farm. My flock has ranged from 

 150 to 400, and 1 have always found them the most profitable part of the farm. Have 

 known of no special disease during this time, and loss by all diseases has not been 

 one-fourth of 1 percent. Accidents, dogs, and wolves have taken a few, mostly by 

 dogs. I find more inquiring after sheep this season than ever before. Farmers are 

 turning their attention in this direction. Just now sheep husbandry is greatly on the 

 increase. A better class of sheep is being called for than formerly, which looks well 

 for the future of the industry in this State. 



F. W. Carlton, Warren, Marshall County: 



I have a fine place for sheep, a 500-barrel flowing well, and plenty of pasture. I 

 expect to stock again with a better class of sheep as soon as I can get rid of more 

 cattle. But out on this flat prairie, where almost every foot of land can be cultivated, 

 is no place for sheep. Water is too scarce, especially in a dry season, and flowing 

 wells can only be secured in a few places. 



Thomas Powle, Jackson, Jackson County: 



Have had twenty years' experience with sheep in Devonshire, England, and twelve 

 years in Minnesota. Find they require less care than any other kind of stock and 

 are easier controlled, and are more profitable. But sheep must have proper care and 

 attendance at the right time. Here is where men not understanding the business 

 fail. I commenced here with a few native sheep, bought the best Oxford Down rain 

 lamb (at our State fair), bred and inbred with him as long as I could increase the 

 fleece, which I did from 5 to 8 pounds average, and carcass from 100 to 140 pounds. 



