874 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



larger flocks iii the eastern half of the State are to be found in the 

 counties of Butler, Elk, and Woodson. 



The numbers of sheep owned by the large flockmasters range in size 

 from 500 to 5,000, the average holding being about 1,000 head. Four 

 hundred is considered a large flock for the farmer, and the bulk of these 

 small farm flocks number from 25 to 50 head. Since 1889 the numbers 

 have slowly but steadily increased, notwithstanding the large mutton 

 sales, which have been fully equal to the increase of the flocks; so that 

 the increase represents breeding sheep brought in from other States 

 by those starting in the business. The present condition of the in- 

 dustry is in a very flourishing condition, and those flockmasters who 

 are well equipped for the business express themselves as well satisfied. 

 With scarcely an exception they say that, in comparison with other 

 branches of live-stock husbandry, it surpasses them all. So far as 

 profits on the investment and labor are represented, $100 invested in 

 sheep will pay muchni'ire profit than $200 invested in horses or cat- 

 tle. All agree that the remunerative prices received for mutton render 

 sheep much more profitable now than any other class of stock. The 

 price of wool is low, and of itself would hardly pay for handling sheep. 



Since 1883 there has been quite a decline in numbers in several of the 

 principal sheep counties, owing to the low price of wool and the settle- 

 ment of the range country, making it necessary for the flockmaster to 

 own the land and use fenced pastures. As a result a number of the 

 older sheepmen have either abandoned the business or reduced the size 

 of flocks in conformity to their environments. However, one re- 

 sult of this reduction in numbers has been to cause the owner to handle 

 a better class of sheep and take better care of them than he did under 

 the old regime of unlimited free range. 



At present the outlook is brighter than for years, and a general revi- 

 val of the business is anticipated, but on a much different basis than 

 when sheep-raising was largely confined to the sparsely settled regions 

 of western Kansas, and the sheep consisted of the small, wrinkly, and 

 greasy Merinos which were grazed free on Government land. The con- 

 ditions are now different; the Government land is all gone and now 

 owned by individuals, and it is necessary to lease or own the land and 

 have inclosed pastures; besides, the class of sheep that can now be han- 

 dled profitably must have both wool and mutton qualities. Those who 

 have continued in the business have found it necessary to conform to 

 these changed conditions, and breed more with reference to mutton 

 qualities. 



Sheep of the mutton breeds are being brought in from Eastern States 

 in limited numbers, and no bad results seem to be caused by the change 

 of location or climate. After they become acclimated an improvement 

 in constitution is the usual result, but the wool loses some of its soft- 

 ness and becomes dingier or harsher. Sheep brought in from the West 

 and South usually show an all around improvement, both as to increased 

 fleece and size of carcass. They are uniformly healthy. 



