CHAPTER XIII 

 FARM SHEEP 



Raising sheep on the farms is usually a very profitable 

 branch of the live-stock industry. It is adapted to any 

 climatic condition, requires little capital or skill, builds 

 up the soil, fits in with the most approved rotation, and is 

 not very likely to be over-done. It is not at present very 

 highly developed except in western Oregon and Wash- 

 ington where nearly every farm has a few sheep. 



Among the farms suitable for the raising of sheep may 

 be included practically all of the general hay and grain 

 farms of the West. The farms where grains, clover, vetch, 

 and rape are grown are the best for this purpose. Es- 

 pecially is this industry suitable for those farms which have 

 had their fertility exhausted by continuous grain cropping. 

 Sheep-raising requires about the same kind of a farm as 

 dairying, but facilities for marketing are not so important 

 and more grass land can be used. As compared with dairy- 

 ing, sheep-raising requires more land and capital, but is 

 not as laborious and confining. The ideal sheep farm will 

 include much rolling, well-drained land that will stand 

 much tramping. Such land can be pastured the year 

 round. Of course, this is a good type of land for any pur- 

 pose, but it is especially good for sheep. 



No expensive buildings are needed. If one has room to 

 store his hay, necessary sheds may be constructed at a 



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