MODERN SHEEP: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 261 



in the number of sheep kept, as the ranges there are being cut 

 up and taken for farms more and more every year. A great por- 

 tion of New Mexico's sheep ranges are of a kind that will never 

 be fit for anything but sheep ranges, and can not be taken for 

 farms, therefore, she will continue to raise more sheep every year 

 for years to come, while Montana and Wyoming will be on the 

 decline for lack of range. 



Sheep can be raised cheaper in New Mexico than in any other 

 state or territory. First, because free range is almost unlimited; 

 second, because we can hire labor cheaper than any other state 

 or territory, and, third, because our ranges are open nearly all 

 winter long. 



It is a rare occurrence for a New Mexico sheep man, unless 

 he lives high in the mountains, to have to feed his sheep hay 

 through the winter. As a rule, New Mexico's ranges are open 

 the year around. 



There is some talk of a lease law coming into effect at the 

 next session of Congress. If it is a good law, that is, if it is 

 made for the benefit of the small stockmen to the partial exclusion 

 of large companies, it can not come too quickly for the small flock 

 owners. But there is the point. It seems to us almost impossible 

 to frame a law so that the large companies, both sheep and cattle, 

 will not get a full hold on the greater part of the range. They 

 may incorporate in the law that one man may lease only so many 

 acres, but it is so easy to get around most of such provisions, 

 that we are naturally a little bit excited as to the outcome of this 

 leasing proposition. If it is carried out in the right way it will 

 be an enormous benefit to the country, for every man will have his 

 range allotted to him and will know just how much stock he can 

 run on it, so will go to work to improve his stock, and the watch- 

 word will then be "less stock and better stock." 



SHEEP WAGONS. 



A report of the Department of Agriculture says : The method 

 of managing sheep on the western ranges varies greatly in different 

 parts of the country and with different sheepmen. In some local- 

 ities readily accessible, large and commodious sheep wagons follow 

 the bands of sheep from place to place, and in these wagons the 

 herders carry their necessary utensils, food, clothing and beds. 

 The usual form of sheep wagon contains a cook stove, convenient 

 arrangement for sleeping and a supply of medicines. These wagons 

 may be hauled by two or four horses, according to the condition 

 of the roads. In more inaccessible places, one wagon may be 

 required to furnish service for a number of herders, who sleep in 



