WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 945 



now being done in other Western States, instead of continuing to breed 

 inferior and ill-conditioned and decrepit ewes, also by using more gen- 

 erally a better class of rams, would add greatly to the value of the in- 

 dustry and avoid future contingencies. Sheepmen should take ar 

 interest in irrigation, artesian wells, and the storage of water by reser- 

 voirs, all of which must greatly benefit the industry as well as the 

 whole Territory. 



THE NUMBER AND VALUE OF ARIZONA SHEEP. 



The number of sheep shorn in Arizona during the present year is not 

 less than 800,000 head, producing 6,400,000 pounds of wool. There will 

 also be sold for shipment to Eastern and Western markets during 1892 

 not less than 100,000 mature wethers. The cash income from the sheep 

 industry for the year will not be less than $1,000,000, a 10 per cent 

 earning on $10,000,000, the value of sheep industry of the Territory. 

 Taking the lamb crop of 1892, less the mutton sold from the flocks, and 

 there will remain at the close of the present year at least 1,000,000 

 sheep. 



THE NAVAJO SHEEP INDUSTRY. 



Prom the most reliable information obtainable the K'avajo Indians 

 have 400,000 sheep and 100,000 goats, and the wool clip will not exceed 

 1,300,000 pounds. The sheep are slowly increasing in numbers but not 

 improving in quality ; in fact, no attempt is made in the direction of 

 grading up the sheep unless the Government does it for them. Very 

 common rams are used, and they run with the flocks during the entire 

 year. It is said by traders that lambs are dropped every month in the 

 year. They are run in flocks of 400 to 500 head, and no shelter is pro- 

 vided. The wool is coarse, and is utilized only for carpets and blankets. 

 The average fleece does not exceed 3 to 3J pounds, and is shorn during 

 April, May, or June. The Indians do their own shearing, and use a 

 knife or piece of sharpened iron. But few use sheep shears. The wool 

 is sold to the various traders at prices ranging from 9 to 12 cents. One- 

 third of the Navajo clip is black wool. The herding is done by the old 

 women and children. 'So mutton is ever shipped; aU is consumed at 

 home. The woolen blankets manufactured by the ISTavajo Indians on 

 their primitive looms are an industrial curiosity. The finer blankets 

 often require weeks or months to complete. 



OVERSTOCKING THE RANGE. 



Should the number of live stock continue to increase in the Territory, 

 grave fears are expressed by stockmen that in some portions of Arizona 

 the range will become overstocked. This can only be obviated by a 

 development of irrigation. The limited development so far demon- 

 strates the practicability of utilizing the streams by means of canals 

 and reservoirs for saving much of the flood water now wasted. It is 

 said by competent authority that if this was done an area of over 

 18,000,000 acres could be cultivated, which would support and maintain 

 22990 6Q 



