WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 891 



perhaps, about 80 per cent. It is very seldom that any of the ewes fail 

 to breed, and were it not for the dogs and hogs the average of lambs 

 raised would be close to 100 per cent. Most of the owners provide 

 shelter for severe weather; it usually consists of along, low, well-roofed 

 shed, open to the south or east and closed on three sides. 



The object of sheep-raising is not confined to either wool or mutton, 

 but includes both, and with reference to home consumption. There 

 seems to be but little attention paid to breeding for any special purpose. 

 The sheep are usually shorn but once a year, during April or May, 

 although in some localities the fleece is clipped twice a year, during the 

 months of April and October. The shearing of sheep is considered a 

 part of the regular farm work, and is done either by the owner or his 

 hired man. The wool, if not too burry, is tub-washed and then sold to 

 the local merchant or factory. The merchant, when he has secured 

 enough to fill one or more sacks, sells it to some woolen mill or the cot- 

 ton buyers who visit him, although a great many consign it to St. Louis 

 wool commission merchants. It is seldom that the sheep-owner ships 

 his own wool. The bulk of the wool produced is of a medium grade 

 and the tub-washed brings from 30 to 35 cents a pound ; for the un- 

 washed, the owner receives from 18 to 22 cents, except for the heavy, 

 burry, wool, which is sold for whatever it will bring, and the amount is 

 very small. The fleece of the common sheep runs from 2J to 4 pounds, 

 and the improved or better grade sheep considerably more, depend- 

 ing on the amount of improvement. The mature wethers and ewes 

 which are disposed of as muttons are sold to local butchers, who pay 

 from $2 to $3.50 per head, or the market price per pound. About 20 

 to 30 per cent of the flock is disposed of in this way annually. The 

 mature sheep range in weight from 60 to 100 pounds, with an average 

 of not much above 75 pounds. 



The average wages paid for farm labor is about $15 per month and 

 board, or 25 without board, and by the day 75 cents; and the cost per 

 sheep a year, including all expenses, varies greatly, owing to the care 

 and attention given. The estimates reported by sheep -owners range all 

 the way from 10 cents to $1, but the average for the State is not much 

 in excess of 25 cents per head a year. 



The local advantages for sheep husbandry consist mainly of the large 

 amount of cheap feed, long grazing season, mild climate, even tempera- 

 ture, good water, abundance of feed during the summer season, good 

 local home demand for mutton, nearness to St. Louis market, and cheap 

 labor; also the little expense required for wintering the sheep. 



The local disadvantages encountered by the sheep-raisers of the State 

 are cockle burs and the want of legislative protection against the ravages 

 of dogs. In some portions of the State there is too much wet weather 

 during the winter for the comfort of the sheep. While labor is quite 

 cheap, the men as a rule are unreliable and inexperienced in the man- 

 agement of sheep. Disease is practically unknown among them, and 



