780 SHEEP INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES 



THE RELATION OF IRRIGATION TO THE SHEEP INDUSTRY. 



Ill view of tlie growing importauce of the slieep industry in Wyo- 

 ming, tlie question of winter feeding is one of great importance, and 

 must command the thoughtful consideration of every flockmaster. As 

 the population increases and flocks become more numerous throughout 

 the State, it is only a question of a short time when the present winter 

 methods of handling sheep must be abandoned. The prudent hus- 

 bandman must be prepared to adopt what may be trenchantly de- 

 scribed as more civilized methods, assigning to the past the customs of 

 its pioneers. 



The settling up of the country under irrigation need not necessarily 

 drive ont the sheepmen, as feared, but instead it may insure the per- 

 manency and enhance the profits of the business. In some portions of 

 the State sheepmen are now compelled to feed more or less hay or grain, 

 or both, during midwinter, and also provide shelter. Although this is 

 very expensive, yet they find it profitable, obviating risk of heavy losses 

 from exposure and shortness of feed. Most of the hay and all of the 

 grain are now shipped in, making them very expensive for feed, but 

 when irrigation becomes more general the State will produce its own 

 supply of feed. That time is coming. There are 40,000,000 acres of ara- 

 ble and grazing land in the State, one eighth of which can be irrigated. 

 Wyoming should furnish within herself the best markets obtainable for 

 aU kinds of agricultural products. 



Under a successful system of irrigation, stock-raising and farming 

 combined will be both practical and profitable. Crops produced by irri- 

 gation yield a larger quantity and better quality per acre than when 

 produced otherwise. The system of letting the stock business "run 

 itself" in the very nature of things must end sooner or later in every 

 portion of the State. In certain locahties it has already stopped, and 

 as a result definite calculatious can be made as to certain profits in the 

 business. The laud suitable for irrigation has remarkable adaptation 

 for the construction of irrigation works, and abundant water is acces- 

 sible. There is no question as to the necessity and importance of irri- 

 gation for stock-raising. It will supplement the pasture and the plains, 

 and enhance the value and usefulness of both. Irrigation has been sufift- 

 ciently tested to demonstrate that by its aid all kinds of small grain and 

 grass do well. Alfalfa will produce two crops a year, an average of about 

 2 tons per acre at each cutting. The average precipitation for the whole 

 of the mountain watersheds is placed at 30 inches. The irrigable land 

 is located in the valleys, which are narrow. The uplands bordering 

 these valleys are suitable only for grazing, and can not be successfully 

 irrigated; hence the stock-raiser will have his winter food produced con- 

 veniently near his range. Irrigation will trench upon only a fraction 

 of the existing grazing lands. 



I am convinced that irrigation will ultimately become an adjunct, 



