WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 845 



The industry iii Nebraska, which has been declining since 1883, is now 

 on the upgrade again, but on a somewhat different and, I believe, a per- 

 manent basis. Many farmers who have been raising cattle, horses, and 

 swine in connection with crop-raising are disposed to curtail the num- 

 ber and handle a few sheep. The only serious drawback to a constant 

 and more rapid development of this phase of the industry is the fear 

 of ravages from dogs, wolves, and coyotes. The greatest development 

 will be in the western counties, where the country is well adapted to 

 sheep-raising much more than to grain-farming or the handling of other 

 classes of stock. 



The best method for profitably conducting sheep husbandry is to 

 secure either good choice western ewes, or equally as good a class of 

 middle-wool sheep, and they should be allowed to run in such sized 

 bands as the owner is properly equipped to handle. Mutton should be 

 the main object of the general farmer, and both mutton and wool the 

 main object of the exclusive sheep-raiser. The best ram for use is a 

 closely- wooled buck, either a large size, smooth-bodied Merino with a 

 dense fleece of long staple, or the closely- wooled Downs, like the Hamp- 

 shire Downs and Shropshires. The long-wool bucks, such as Cots- 

 wolds, Lincoln, and Leicesters, where spring lambs are the main object 

 of breeding, will undoubtedly give satisfaction, provided the grower 

 has the necessary conveniences for the business and only raises a lim- 

 ited number, but for the exclusive raiser the Western sheep make a 

 very satisfactory foundation and may be run in large flocks, and im- 

 proved by good care and breeding. Sell surplus wethers, culls, and 

 aged ewes to the Eastern feeders. Never stint on feed that will keep 

 the animal growing and in good condition. 



Give sheep the same care and attention that is given dogs and they 

 will lift the mortgage, improve and enrich the farm, provide the family 

 with luxuries never before enjoyed, and permit the owner to acquire a 

 competence. 



Nebraska is capable of feeding and raising a million sheep annually, 

 and whenever she reaches that point prosperity will prevail among the 

 patrons of live-stock husbandry to a greater extent than ever before. 



THE SHEEP-FEEDING INDUSTRY. 



Nebraska was the twenty -fourth State admitted into the Union, as- 

 suming the responsibility of statehood in 1867. The population in 

 1891 was 1,058,910. The average length of the State is 400 miles and 

 its width is 200 miles, with an area of 76,185 square miles, or nearly 

 50,000,000 acres of land, every acre of which is suitable for agricultural 

 purposes or grazing. 



Nebraska has ninety-two counties, and lays claim to more good ag- 

 ricultural land to the square mile than any other State in the Union, 

 and from facts and figures carefully compiled it will be seen that it is 

 near the head of the list of the agricultural and live-stock producing 



