744 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



Owing to the number of small flocks tlirongli Xoith Dakota regular 

 herders are not employed, the work devolving on farm hands who do 

 general work, so that the tending of flocks in North Dakota during the 

 grazing season is in charge of either the farmer's children or hired man. 

 EegTilar herders are employed only when the flocks are of sufQcient 

 size to require a man in charge all the time. The wages paid farm 

 hands or herders range from $20 to $30 per month with board, the pre- 

 vailing wages being about $25. During winter the wages are much 

 less, running from $10 to $15. This difference is due to the fact that 

 hands are much more plentiful in winter, and the sheep do not require 

 so much attention on account of being in their sheds most of the time. 



The average cost per head a year varies greatly throughout the 

 State. When only a few sheep are kept, mainly mutton sheep, the 

 average expense is much greater than in the range country where only 

 hay rations are given. The estimates given in a few counties are as 

 follows: Barnes County, $1 per head; Bniraons, 75 cents to $1; Grand 

 Forks, 50 cents to $1.25; McHenry, 75 cents to $1 ; Pembina, 75 cents; 

 Eichland, $1.50; Eansom, 35 to 60 cents; Stutsman and Steele, $1, 

 and Stark, 40 to 75 cents. Many of the small sheep-owners estimate 

 that the wool pays all expenses, leaving the increase and mutton sales 

 for profit. It is safe to say that $1 a head per year is a correct average 

 estimate of the cost for the State. 



The local advantages for sheep husbandry iu North Dakota are mani- 

 fold, and those mentioned in particular by the enthiisiastic flockmas- 

 ters in different parts of the State can be summarized briefly as fol- 

 lows : A natural sheep country, Avith an abundance of cheap feed for 

 both summer and winter; a climate pure and invigorating, the greater 

 portion being dry and healthfirl; grazing lands free, especially on the 

 public domain; everywhere grass and hay are plentiftil, and in the 

 farming districts the refuse of wheat, such as straw and screenings, 

 make excellent winter feed. Most of the sheep-owners of the State are 

 well located in reference to good markets for both wool and mutton. 



The health of sheep is uniformly good, no diseases of any kind being 

 incident to them, although some flocks have been troubled by scab and 

 ticks. The prevalence of scab is no doubt owing to the carelessness 

 or inexperience of those who have recently engaged in the business- 

 They have purchased, without proper precautions, from speculators or 

 " promoters " who have bought sheep farther west as cheaply as possi- 

 ble, and then resold at as extortionate prices as they could secure. 

 The sheep affected with ticks are those smaller flocks in the hands of 

 farmers iu the great wheat belt. Most of the flockmasters of North 

 Dakota are inclmed to the opinion that they have a little the best sheep 

 country on earth, and think that they can produce finer wool and mut- 

 ton than any other place in the country. 



The chief dMculty and obstacle encountered, in addition to the 

 above, is the inexperience incident to a people new in the industry. 



