928 



SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



ber to 4,000,000, which is approximately correct, and as near the 

 exact number as it is possible to determine without an actual count. 

 Taking 4,000,000 of sheep as the number owned in New Mexico, 

 the different classes and their respective values are as follow: 1,000,000 

 lambs at $1.50 per head, value $1,500,000; 2,000,000 ewes at $2 per 

 head, value $4,000,000; and 1,000,000 wethers at $2.50 per head, value 

 $2,500,000 ; or a total number of 4,000,000 sheep with a present value 

 of $8,000,000. 



The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Eailway Company, through its 

 live-stock department, prepared at the close of 1890 a statement of the 

 live stock in the Territory of New Mexico January 1, 1891, showing 

 the different classes of stock in the different counties. It is given here 

 in order to show the relative importance of the sheep industry to other 

 branches of the animal industry. Their statement places the number 

 of wethers for sale and shipment during 1891 at G98.500, or 3,000 car- 

 loads. The agents of the company made up their estimate by confer- 

 ring with the various owners of stock in each of the counties and then 

 summarized the fairly accurate results as follows : 



THE ADVANTAGES OF IRRIGATION. 



When large acreage is under irrigation and extensive crops of alfalfa 

 are raised it must be of great benefit to wool-growers, and practically 

 put the percentage of loss at a minimum, as it will enable the flock- 

 master to select out the old and undesirable ewes and feed them for the 

 market, and only breed the best. 



It is indeed a favorable condition for the animal industry of the 

 Territory that irrigation enterprises are now receiving so much atten- 

 tion. The further development and success of irrigation is of para- 

 mount importance to stockmen. It has been demonstrated that under 

 irrigation at least three good crops of alfalfa can be produced in a 

 season and frequently four crops. Alfalfa is unsurpassed as feed for 

 sheep, and produced by irrigation in the arid regions is much superior 

 as a stock food to the same crop produced on the rich fertile soil of the 

 lower altitude and more humid country of the States farther east. The 



