850 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Jaines W. Bouk, Greenwood, Cass County: 



Few people here have ever handled sheep, but confine themselves to growing 

 corn, wheat, oats, hogs, and cattle. I think Cotswold or other long-wool good- 

 sized sheep will prove very profitable in .this part of the State, as they combine a 

 larger carcass and a long staple of wool. I have tried them and ani well pleased 

 with the results. 



W. H. Nelson, Lee Park, Ouster County: 



I have had eight years' experience in this State, and find the most serious disad- 

 vantage in the lack of tame grass pastures. The wild grass fails early in the fall, 

 and does not start early in the spring, which necessitates the sowing of rye to ex- 

 tend the grazing season, or early feeding. 



A. F. Swartz, Max, Dandy County: 



I have been in the business five years, and never lost a sheep by disease. We 

 raise sheep very cheaply here. I hire a boy to herd at five dollars per month. I 

 plant a few acres of cane to feed during stormy Aveather; the rest of the time they 

 subsist on buifalo grass. 



J. B. Coti'man, Adams, Gage County: 



Five years ago we had over 60,000 sheep in this county. To-day very few are 

 raised here. The high price of land and scarcity of range solves the question. As a 

 feeding county Gage stands second to none in the State. 



C. H. Ballinger, Lexington, Dawson County: 



This State can not be surpassed for sheep-raising, in connection with other stock, 

 and, with grain and tame hay fed them, sheep will become the most profitable stock 

 on the farm. Mangels, turnips, and other roots make good feed, and are easily 

 grown here. Lucerne and alfalfa are best adapted to this country; more than the 

 other tame grasses. The greatest drawback to the business is the ravages of the 

 wolf or coyote. 



P. L. Atkins, Dix, Kimball County: 



On account of our healthful climate, abundant range, and the small amount of 

 capital necessary to start with, sheep-raising; has in the past and will in the future, 

 prove to be one of the most profitable industries a person can engage in. 



H. C. Jones, Russell, Frontier County: 



This county is admirably adapted to sheep-raising, a large variety of grass, no 

 lowland, and dry winters. It is best to keep no more than 1,000 sheep in a flock ; 

 give them a warm, dry shelter, feed grain and keep a good herder, and the loss need 

 not be more than one per cent. 



E. C. Hill, Stella, Bichardson County: 



I get more money out of the feed consumed by sheep than I do from hogs or cat- 

 tle. From 140 head I sold wool and mutton to the amount of $500 and have 140 

 head left, counting in lambs. From 55 ewes I raised 76 lambs. If one of my sheep 

 dies his pelt pays for his keep. 



H. C. MeCord, Taylor, Loup County : 



My experience, though limited to handling from 500 to 1,000 head, is that sheep 

 husbandry is one of the most profitable of the live-stock industries, when conducted 

 with good sense. It gives quicker and better returns on the amount of capital in- 

 vested in it than in any other business. To bring the best results it requires better 

 shelter than is usually given in the winter, but we would never have foot-rot and 

 very little scab, as it is so dry. 



