194 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA, 



while very low temperatures are often reached 

 in winter, some times with occasional bliz- 

 zards, yet there are seldom deep or long-ljdng 

 snows and the abundance of grass renders it 

 easy for the flocks to find subsistence. The 

 grasses on these plains seem not so fattening 

 as upon the mountains of Utah and Idaho, 

 but are more abundant than those of regions 

 to the southward and produce a fine class of 

 sheep. In this region are found the larger 

 types of Merinos, with often an infusion of 

 Cotswold or Lincoln or Leicester blood, while 

 mutton-bred rams of all types are used to 

 produce market lambs. Sh,eep do not perma- 

 nently injure the grasses of this region and 

 indeed when grazed with judgment, not to 

 overstock, the range is often benefited. In fact, 

 some progressive ranchmen, of the type of 

 Hon. Robert Taylor of Wyoming make it a 

 practice to pasture cattle and sheep together 

 and find that both thrive. 



PAEASITIC INFECTION OF THE RANGES. 



There is sometimes in this region, particu- 

 larly in the Dakotas, sufficient humidity to 

 make it possible for internal parasites to prop- 

 agate and diffuse themselves through the 

 flocks. Grievous losses from stomach worm 

 are reported during bad seasons and tape 

 worms have worked havoc over much of the 

 region. 



These losses, however, are far less serious 

 than occur in the states east of the Missouri 

 river. 



