CHAPTER IX 



WOOL AND MUTTON PRODUCERS OF THE 

 WEST 



The sheep of the West, because of geographical and 

 cUmatic conditions, are divided into two great classes : 

 range sheep and farm sheep. Farm sheep in the West 

 are handled in a manner similar to that followed in the 

 eastern states, in England and in Europe, making, of 

 course, necessary allowance for differences in feed, climate, 

 and peculiarities of the people. Nothing similar to the 

 western range sheep industry is to be found elsewhere 

 in America or Europe. It resembles more closely the 

 sheep business of Australia and Argentina, but even there 

 the resemblance is largely confined to the immense size 

 of the flocks and the preponderance of Merino blood. 



BANGE SHEEP 



The range sheep industry resolves itself into three 

 phases : the raising of range sheep for wool and mutton ; 

 the raising of pure-bred sheep on the range; and the 

 fattening of range lambs in the winter time. 



The essential features of raising of sheep for wool and 

 mutton on the ranges are as follows : extensive use is made 

 of rough range land not suitable for cultivation, such 

 range usually being public domain, either within or 

 without Forest Reserve; the sheep are handled on a 



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