932 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



decrease in quantity of wool is much less in proportion than is shown in the number 

 of sheep. Improved sheep demand improved care, with expensive improvements 

 for their protection, and fairly paid, clothed, and fed American labor. A decrease 

 in prices for Territory wools can not sustain these conditions long, even though we 

 have the advantage of free grass and a good climate. 



The Stock Grower, Las Yegas : 



The Australian system might be tried in New Mexico. There is plenty of rainfall 

 to grow any crop if properly distributed. At times there is not enough moisture in 

 the ground to bring the dews, and the result is drought. The Australian plan is to 

 make artificial lakes or reservoirs in every hollow; from one to a dozen on every 

 farm. These reservoirs act as catch-basins for the surplus rainfall in the spring and 

 fall, and during the hot months in summer the water in these ponds is absorbed and 

 brings rain. The rain-belt farmers can accomplish the desired result if they adopt 

 this plan, and the work to each individual or farmer would be comparatively noth- 

 ing. It is clear to any mind that lakes of water scattered over the plains in this 

 manner would be beneficial. 



NEW LAWS RELATING TO THE SHEEP INDUSTRY. 



One of the greatest difficulties that has beset the floekraasters of 

 New Mexico has been the careless management regarding scab. Those 

 flockmasters that used the proper precautions were often handicapped 

 by the slipshod sheepmen, so that it became necessary to move them 

 by legislative enactments. The scab law, if enforced, as no doubt it 

 will be, will drive disease entirely out of the country, as it exists in a 

 very mild form and is easily cured. 



Another source of loss common to the plains and mountain regions 

 is the depredations of wild animals. An act was passed last winter 

 by the Territorial legislature to encourage the destruction of wolves 

 and lions. 



The following laws will be quite beneficial to the sheepmen will give 

 a new impetus to the industry, insure rapid improvement of the breed- 

 ing stock, and encourage better methods of management: 



[For the prevention of scab, etc.] 



SECTION 1. That henceforth any and all persons, company, or corporation owning 

 or holding stock on shares, such as sheep, goats, etc., that may pasture any sheep or 

 goats within the limits of this Territory, is hereby required to comply with the re- 

 quirements of the following sections in this act. 



SEC. 2. That it shall be the duty of any person, persons, company, or corporation, 

 who shall either own or have any sheep or goats on shares, to dip all of said stock 

 within the first day of June and the last day of November, and use in said process 

 all the ingredients required to effect the cure of scab or any such malady. The 

 bathing process, or dipping, shall be executed in the usual manner heretofore in use 

 by all owners of sheep. 



SEC. 3. Any person, persons, company, or corporation, party or parties, having 

 sheep on shares, who shall fail to comply with the requirements and provisions of 

 this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be 

 punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars, and not more than three hundred 

 dollars, and the costs of the prosecution of all matters and things required in the 

 &aid case. 



