204 



WESTERN GRAZING GROUNDS AND FOREST RANGES 



the cost of his food about $18, making a total charge of 

 about $66. Owing to several governing conditions the 

 actual difference in cost is much less than the figures 

 indicate. 



TABLE 1-AVERAGE MONTHLY WAGES PAID, INCLUDING BOARD. 



Factors Equalizing Costs. By studying these tables 

 it will be noted that while the southwestern sheepmen 

 procure their labor for a much lower rate than in the 

 northwestern states, it requires more of them to the 

 1,000 sheep, thus equalizing the matter. In New Mex- 

 'ico, for instance, it requires an average of one twelve- 

 month man to each 741 sheep, at a monthly cost in 

 wages and board for herders of $33.03 per man. In 

 Montana it requires but one twelve-month man to every 

 1,556 sheep at a monthly cost in wages and board of 

 $62.70 for each herder, or almost double the wage cost 

 in New Mexico. However, owing to the difference in 

 the number of men required the net difference is against 

 the New Mexico sheepowner, for the labor cost per head, 

 as shown by the table, is 54 cents for Montana and 56 

 cents for New Mexico. 



