WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 841 



ewes fail to breed. With the mutton breeds or small farm flocks a 

 much larger per cent of lambs is secured. Last year (1891) was a 

 great year for twins and triplets. One flockmaster raised 110 lambs 

 from 100 ewes; another 76 lambs from 65 ewes; a Richardson county 

 sheep-owner raised 120 per cent of lambs, while a York county sheep- 

 owner secured 136 per cent of lambs. Taking one year with another, 

 with farmers who have small flocks or where mutton breeds prevail, 

 from 95 to 100 per cent of lambs are raised. In the western and north- 

 ern part of the State, where the large flocks are held, from 75 to 95 per 

 cent of the lambs dropped are raised, or an average of about 85 per 

 cent. 



In view of the methods of permitting the rams to run with the ewes 

 during the breeding season without special care, it is somewhat sur- 

 prising that so large a per cent of lambs is raised. Owing to indif- 

 ference or lack of vigilance during the lambing season, a large number 

 are lost that might have been saved had they received more careful 

 attention and been provided with sufficient help at that critical period in 

 sheep husbandry. When the ewes are kept in good condition and not 

 subject to undue exposure in winter, and receive the proper attention 

 at the time of breeding as well as at the lambing season, there could be 

 saved from 5 to 10 per cent more lambs in the larger flocks than are 

 now saved under existing circumstances. 



As a rule most of the Nebraska sheep-raisers provide food and 

 shelter for three months. In view of the number of months in which 

 the pasturage is practically worthless, it is necessary to provide hay. 

 It always pays to have a supply of grain, and it is gratifying to note 

 that most of the sheepmen provide both hay and grain. A number of 

 the sheep-owners have good barns, but the majority simply provide open 

 sheds from 5 to 10 feet in height, tightly closed on three sides and usu- 

 ally open to the south. The walls of the sheds are either of frame or of 

 sod, and the roof consists of either lumber or poles covered with straw 

 or hay. In fact almost anything in the way of shelter that will serve as 

 a wind break and protection from the snow is used. These sheds are 

 intended for use only when the weather is stormy or for shelter during 

 the cold nights. In the closed sheds or barns it is very important that 

 good ventilation be provided, and that the floor be kept as clean as 

 possible. 



The majority of Nebraska sheep-raisers are landowners, and the 

 value of the land ranges from $5 to $30 per acre, according to location. 

 Very little land except school lands is leased by the sheep-raisers. 

 The unoccupied land in the border counties is usually free grazing, or 

 can be leased for the taxes or 10 cents per acre. 



A compilation of numerous reports received from some of the prin- 

 cipal sheep-raisers of the State shows that the main object of only three 

 is the production of wool, while ten state that mutton is the exclusive 

 object. In all the other reports received it is stated tliat both wool 



