SHEEP-FARMING IN THE WEST. 129 



is reckoned, after deducting every expense, at not less 

 than 40 per cent., and by others at 75 per cent., per 

 annum upon the investment, and this is at the present 

 low prices, and for our inferior grades of wool. 

 Woollen-manufactories are springing up in that country, 

 which will increase the price of wool by creating a bet- 

 ter market, and at no distant day will that country be 

 the most extensive woollen-manufacturing country of 

 this continent. The eastern slope of the Eocky Moun- 

 tains, including Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, 

 is doubtless the best sheep-growing region on this con- 

 tinent, and likely of the world, and is capable of graz- 

 ing more sheep and cheaper than all the rest of the 

 United States together." 



Hon. W. H. Hooper, of Utah, writes : " The climate, 

 grasses, and topography of that country render it one 

 of the best sheep-producing localities in the whole range 

 of States and Territories, and I claim that in this re- 

 spect what I say for Utah will almost wholly apply to 

 the entire Rocky Mountain country. The sheep are 

 healthy and prolific, and afford the finest mutton I have 

 ever eaten, and their fleeces are in quantity and quality 

 all that could be desired. The people of my Territory 

 have from necessity given to the subject of sheep-grow- 

 ing as full and careful a test, if not more so, than any 

 other settling the higher regions of the far West. 

 Their destitute condition on arriving at Salt Lake com- 

 pelled them to give early and thorough attention to 

 home productions, as their fine flocks of sheep and their 

 numerous woollen- and cotton-factories which followed 

 their settlement of that country will attest. I think 



