FLOCK HUSBANDRY IN WESTERN STATES. 199 



wether laxabs or at most keeping them only 

 till yearlings past. 



WHERE THE EAMS COME FEOM, 



The source of supply of range rams is prin- 

 cipally from large growers or rams situated in 

 various parts of the range country and in the 

 valleys of California and Utah. Eastern Ore- 

 gon produces thousands of magnificent rams 

 mainly of Merino blood, approaching the Rani- 

 bouillet type or purely of that blood. Califor- 

 nia sends many high-class Merino rams to the 

 ranges. Utah and Idaho grow Merino and 

 Cotswold rams by thousands with lesser num- 

 bers of other mutton breeds. Wyoming grows 

 Merinos, Cotswolds, Leicesters and Hamp- 

 shires. 



Bange-bred rams are most serviceable on 

 the range, having learned how to live there 

 and being moie muscular and hardy than East- 

 ern farm-grown sheep. There is," however, 

 a steady stream of the best bred sires from 

 Eastern stud flocks going tO' reinforce the blood 

 of the mountain stud flocks. The day seems 

 past when large numbers of Eastern farm- 

 grown rams will be used on common range 

 herds since the Western rams are in fairly 

 abundant supply and are more efficient. 



THE BREEDING SEASON. 



On the rans'e rams are turned in usually to 

 b'ring the lambs in late May or June. It is dis- 

 astrous to lamb down before the herd is set- 

 tled on good grass and where it may remain 



