QUESTIONS 401 



of breeding ewes may be reduced or the type may be changed so 

 as to suit more nearly the needs of range sheepmen, but the Merino 

 has characteristics which are too valuable to justify anyone in 

 supposing that its blood will be wholly discarded. 



Mutton Breeds for Range. — Of the various mutton breeds that 

 have been used in the West, the Cotswolds, Lincolns, and Hamp- 

 shires seem to have given best results. The cross between the 

 longwools (Cotswolds a-nd Lincolns) and Merinos makes a very 

 good sheep for both mutton and wool. The fleece is long and 

 heavy and does not pull out badly when the sheep graze on brushy 

 range. At present the Hampshire is very popular because of its 

 ability to produce a big, strong lamb that is ready to market as 

 mutton at weaning time. Shropshires are to be found in large 

 numbers in Colorado, New Mexico, and California. Romney Marsh 

 and Corriedales have been imported from New Zealand and 

 Australia, and are now undergoing trial. 



The Eambouillet is by far the most popular of the various 

 Merino breeds. 



Sheep of All Classes. — Breeding ewes, yearlings, rams, wethers, 

 and lambs may be found on the ranges, but ewes and lambs lead in 

 numbers and importance. After they are five years old ewes begin 

 to decline in wool production and they are usually drafted at this 

 age and sent to market where they are disposed of as mutton, or 

 for breeding or feeding purposes. In a few regions, however, they 

 are retained until they are seven or eight years old. ^^'llen from 

 four to six months of age, the lambs are sent to market, where the 

 fat ones are slaughtered for mutton wliile those in thin condition 

 are sent to farms and feed lots to be fattened. Yearlings that arc 

 not intended for breeding on the range are no longer produced in 

 large numbers. They are grown by those who are not in a position 

 to make their lambs fat enough to sell well when four to six months 

 old. In a very few regions wethers are kept for their wool product 

 and for the growth they make, but they should be marketed before 

 they are five years old as they become coarse and decline in condition 

 after that age. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Classify geographically the three general divisions of the range country. 



2. What are the types of land utilized as range? Discuss each. , 



3. Who claims ownership of the range country? How leased? 



4. What distinct characteristics do range sheep possess? 



5. At what age do rangemen usually begin to cull their ewes? 



26 



