142 WESTERN GRAZING GROUNDS AND FOREST RANGES 



The lambs could be purchased in New Mexico and 

 Arizona at reasonable rates, they fed well, were extreme- 

 ly healthy and easily handled. Since they were kept in 

 close feedlots, the droppings were easily taken care of 

 and as a fertilizer, made a source of income from the in- 

 vestment in addition to the profit in the growth of the 

 animals. This business grew by leaps and bounds, and 

 the price of feed, especially alfalfa hay, went soaring. 

 The feeders also found that they could import corn from 

 Kansas to add to the ration with excellent results. 



Rise in Prices for Lambs. The great demand for 

 lambs worked the prices up until the New Mexico sheep 

 men were able to contract their lamb crop at prices 

 which seemed enormous, looking back to the beginning 

 of the business. From a price per head the trade went 

 to a pound basis, and New Mexico lambs have been sold 

 as high as S l / 2 cents per pound at the loading point. For- 

 tunes were made by shrewd speculators who went to the 

 lamb raisers and contracted for their crop, shipped them 

 into the feeding districts, and retailed them to the feed- 

 ers in small bands at good profits. 



Coming into the eastern markets, as these western-fed 

 lambs do, at a time wheft the normal supply is at the 

 lowest point, they find a ready sale. 



Advance in Wool Prices. With the increase in mut- 

 ton values came a great rise in wool. During the years 

 of free wool the western wool-growers were forced to 

 sell their crops at rates which gave them no profit on 

 their investment. Some western wools dropped as low 

 as 6 and even 5 cents a pound, and the average for sev- 

 eral seasons was below 10 cents. 



In the last few years the growers have considerably 

 increased the weight of their shearing. The price of the 



