WEST OF The MISSISSIPPI EIVEE. 921 



an owner, "major domo," or herder. It is evident from tlie natural 

 condition of affairs in New Mexico that the sheep business will always 

 be conducted principally by the Mexican grower, though not so ex- 

 clusively as in the past, and he will be benefited by the object lessons 

 given him by the experienced American flockmaster. 



The thriving condition of the sheep husbandry in ISTew Mexico at the 

 present time may be attributed largely to the American flockmasters' 

 achievements. They handle mostly the California Merino, or what is 

 called improved sheep, i. e., sheep bred up by crossing fine Merino rams 

 on Mexican or native ewes. Another cause for the present flourishing 

 condition of the industry in New Mexico is the very large demand for 

 sheep to drive to Kansas and Nebraska and other parts of the corn 

 belt for feeders. This comparatively new feature of the industry, 

 together with the improved wool product, has made the sheep business 

 of recent years the most profitable live-stock pursuit in the Territory. 

 It has also had a beneficial effect on the flocks, which will result in 

 still more rapid improvement as well as a larger per cent of increase 

 and less loss from exposure. Owing to the large demand for feeders 

 the flockmaster is able to dispose of his old sheep, both wethers and 

 ewes, as well as such lambs as are unfit to withstand the treatment of 

 existing methods of handling sheep by the average flockmaster in New 

 Mexico. 



It is a notable fact that New Mexico, taking into consideration the 

 whole Territory, is better adapted in every way for sheep than for any 

 other class of stock. Outside of Texas there is no State or Territory 

 west of the Mississippi Eiver where the business can be conducted so 

 cheaply as in New Mexico, and where the total cost per head a year 

 will be as low as in this Territory. Yet there is perhaps no other State 

 that raises such a small per cent of lambs as are raised here in pro- 

 portion to the number of breeding ewes. This fact, however, is no 

 fault of the country or climate, but it is owing wholly to the character 

 of sheep handled and the methods in vogue. 



The number in a flock, or, as commonly designated, a "partida," 

 is usually from 2,000 to 3,000 head of ewes, in charge of a " major 

 domo " and a herder. These two men as a rule take charge of the 

 flock for six months at least, and graze them on the public land. They 

 are furnished with provisions and a tent, which are carried on two 

 pack burros as they move along with the sheep from place to place as 

 in the judgment of the men in charge is most advisable, taking into 

 consideration the character of range, fresh grass, convenience to 

 water, etc. 



The number of sheep owned by one person or firm in New Mexico va- 

 ries from 500 to 50,000. The counties having the largest individual hold- 

 ings are Valencia, Bernalillo, San Miguel, Lincoln, and Eio Arriba, 

 while the holdings in Eddy, Taos, and Colfax counties are reported 

 smaller. It is needless, perhaps, to state that in those counties where 



