WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 903 



sheep sold for muttou ranges all the way from 60 to 90 pounds, an ani- 

 mal seldom exceeding 100 pounds. The shipper, after deducting 

 freight, yardage, feed, and wages of man in charge, realized all the 

 way from about $3.30 to about $4.20 per 100 pounds. The stock sheep 

 are generally bought by speculators, who pay the raiser this year from 

 $2 to $3 per head. 



Most of the flockmasters in central Texas own land on which their 

 sheep graze; others lease State or railroad lands, paying from 6 to 10 

 cents per acre annual rental. Herdsmen receive wages of $20 to $25 

 per month, and many of them board themselves. Sheepmen of this 

 section estimate that the average annual cost, including all expenses 

 of handling a sheep, varies from 40 cents to $1, making the average 

 cost range about 60 to 80 cents per head. 



The natural advantages of central Texas for sheep-raising may be 

 summarized briefly: The abundance of native and nutritious grasses 

 of many varieties, which afford pasturage nearly every month of the 

 y-ar; good water and plenty of it in the numerous creeks and ever- 

 flowing springs, and whon running water is not convenient a plentiful 

 supply can be had from wells at moderate cost; short and mild winters; 

 healthful climate, feed, cheap land, and low rent. The greatest disad- 

 vantages are long distances from markets for wool and mutton, depre- 

 dations of wild animals, and too few improved sheep. Sheep are uni- 

 formly healthy. There are some cases of grub in the head, and tape- 

 worm and sniffles are sometimes prevalent after exposure to cold rains. 

 Scab is becoming less frequent every year. The sheepmen now under- 

 stand generally how to prevent its outbreak by necessary precautions. 

 " Animal Parasites of Sheep,' 7 which was prepared by the Bureau of 

 Animal Industry, has been of untold value to the sheep industry of the 

 Western plains, and it has been the means of saving many of our flock- 

 masters considerable money. It should be in the hands of every sheep- 

 man on the range. 



The industry is declining in some of the counties of central Texas 

 and the sheep are for sale. There are several reasons assigned for this 

 change. The price of laud is advancing and an increased area is being 

 used for farming purposes, consequently the pasturage is reduced and 

 the feeding season necessarily lengthened, and frequently feed is 

 scarce and high priced; therefore, common sheep are apt to become 

 unprofitable property. In many counties where improved sheep are 

 owned, the industry is looking up and the outlook at present is 

 better than it has been for years. The range land at present is 

 worth from $1.50 to $5 per acre and increasing in value each year. 

 Many poor men have accumulated a fair competence in the sheep busi- 

 ness, and some of them are changing from sheep to horses, cattle, or 

 mules, in the belief that with the same labor they can make more 

 money with less personal application and attention; while, on the other 

 hand, men have engaged in the sheep business with ample capital and 



