WEST OF THE ^MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 923 



while from exposure incident to the methods of handling the loss 

 ranges from 4 to 10 per cent. From all sources, including occasional 

 bad winters, the average loss does not exceed for the whole Territory 

 10 per cent annually. 



Very few sheep are brought into New Mexico from eastern States 

 except breeding rams, and they must have extra care and feed in or- 

 der to render much service, at least until they become acclimated. 

 They can not subsist on the public range like the native sheep, but 

 their offspring do well. The wool loses oil, owing to the dry climate. 



The rams mostly in use are pure-bred Merinos and their grades, 

 especially among the American owners and the enterprising of the 

 Mexicans, while a very large number of flockmasters are content to 

 use the improved Mexican rams. The rams in use are 2 years old 

 and upward ; and in the northern part of the Territory the rams are 

 turned in with the ewe flock at least thirty days. Each ram is given 

 from 40 to 50 ewes, and in some cases with pure-bred rams 100 ewes 

 are given. The number of lambs raised depends somewhat on the 

 season, and varies from 65 to 85 per cent, or a general average of about 

 75 per cent. 



Very little land is owned by the sheep-owners outside of watered 

 lands, as they depend almost wholly upon the public land for grazing. 

 But the day is not far distant when it will become necessary to own a 

 home ranch, where a sure habitation may be had, and where the breed- 

 ing rams and weaker sheep may have better attention, and where some 

 shelter and feed may be provided when necessary. As a rule no feed 

 or shelter has been provided except in individual cases where the flocks 

 are small and improved. 



Shearing takes place during May or June, except on the Lower Eio 

 Grande or in southern New Mexico, where they shear twice a year, 

 during May and October. But the system of shearing twice a year is 

 declining and will largely become obsolete in time, especially when scab 

 has become eradicated. The cost of shearing is about 1 cent per 

 pound and is done principally by Mexicans, who receive their board 

 and from 3 to 5 cents per head. The bulk of New Mexico wool is sold 

 in the grease to the local buyer, and the larger proportion of the clip 

 of the Territory is handled at Las Vegas and Albuquerque. The fleece 

 of the common Mexican sheep averages about 2 pounds, the improved 

 Mexican 4 pounds, and the Merino and fine medium from 6 to 9 pounds. 



Of the wool produced in the Territory last year, about 75 per cent 

 was one-fourth and three eighths improved Mexican in about equal 

 quantities. Fifteen per cent was fine and the remaining 10 per cent 

 consisted of coarse or blanket cloth and carpet wool. In this estimate 

 the Navajo Indian wool is not considered, as the larger proportion of 

 it is carpet and blanket and the remainder medium. Of the coarse 

 wool one-third is black. The wools of the Territory for 1890 netted 



