WEST OF T1TK MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 875 



As a rule, pure-bred rams are used of the following breeds, ranking 

 in the order named : French and American Merinos, Shropshires, Cots- 

 wolds, Southdowns, Liucolns, Oxfords, and Hampshires. The ram is 

 not used much until two years old. After that time he is given from 

 40 to 100 ewes, and is usually bred to a limited number each night after 

 the ewes are yarded. The ordinary breeding season is during October, 

 November, or December. The aim is to breed so that the lamb will 

 come soon after the sheep are out on grass. November, however, is the 

 usual and most desirable month for breeding. The ram remains with 

 ewes from twenty to sixty days, if turned in at all during the breeding 

 season. The method of hand-breeding is much more generally prac- 

 ticed than formerly. 



Sheep owners from the various counties report that from 5 to 10 per 

 cent of the ewes fail to breed, and that the average of lambs raised is 

 from 75 to 95 per cent. The more experienced sheep-raisers who under- 

 stand sheep husbandry seldom have a ewe in good condition fail to 

 breed, and succeed in raising nearly every lamb. There is no good 

 reason in Kansas for not raising a larger per cent of the lambs dropped 

 than is generally reported. It is simply criminal carelessness on the 

 part of flockmasters, or because of the depredations of worthless dogs 

 or prowling wolves. 



Only a few years ago wool was the sole object of the sheep -raiser in 

 this State, but now, when questioned regarding the main objects 

 sought, the invariable answer is, both wool and mutton. However, the 

 tendency to mutton only is apparent in many flocks at the expense of 

 fleece, when by judicious selection and mating, first-class muttons may 

 be secured without any sacrifice of wool. A profitable fleece of delaine, 

 combing, and medium wool can easily be secured, and at the same time 

 a good mutton carcass weighing from 120 to 175 pounds. 



The time for shearing sheep is during May or June, usually the latter 

 part of May. Pure-bred flocks are generally shorn in April. Shearing 

 is usually done in a shed or barn, near the yard or corral, on a platform 

 or board floor prepared for the purpose. Each fleece is generally tied 

 up separately. If the flocks are of any considerable size three or four 

 shearers are employed, but when they only number a few head the far- 

 mer does his own work. At present the flocks are so remote and scat- 

 tered in a few counties that the owner is compelled to consign his wool 

 to commission houses. Fully 80 per cent of the clip is thus consigned 

 to houses in St. Louis and Chicago, and occasionally to Boston or Phila- 

 delphia, but most of the growers express a preference for the St. Louis 

 market. Every sheepman would prefer to sell at home were such a 

 thing possible. But the growers are too much scattered at present for 

 that; yet, if they would form an association and bunch their wool, simi- 

 lar to the plan of the Hopkins County Association in Texas, they would 

 find it a good thing. Several sheep-owners in the State have talked of 

 forming such cooperative associations, but nothing as yet has been 



