SHEEP RAISING FOR BEGINNERS. 
5 
In the hillier sections of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, 
and in the cut-over timber regions of the Gulf States, there are also 
large areas of comparatively cheap lands which furnish favorable 
conditions for the keeping of large flocks of sheep at comparatively 
low cost. Similar opportunities are found in the cut-over timber- 
lands in Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, and Oregon. 
On the higher priced lands of the corn belt a profitable system of 
sheep raising is being worked out along the lines followed on the 
intensively farmed areas in England and Scotland. While land 
values in this section are much higher on the acre basis than in the 
regions above referred to, there is comparatively little difference in 
the value of the amount of land required per head for sheep. While 
few farms in this section are likely to be devoted exclusively to com- 
mercial sheep raising, the different labor requirements for cattle 
and swine make it desirable to keep at least 1 ewe to 2 acres. This 
should add materially to 'the net income from the farm. 
On western irrigated farms there seems likely to be developed an 
intensive sheep industry. The alfalfa and other forages produced 
on these lands come nearer to being satisfactory as a sole ration 
for sheep than for any other stock. The use of irrigated pastures 
or the rotation of forages will provide excellent summer feed and at 
the same time avoid the cost of labor for harvesting where there is 
not an opportunity of using the open range or forest reserve for 
grazing at that time of year. 
REQUIREMENTS FOR SHEEP RAISING. 
SOIL AND CLIMATE. 
Sheep are naturally the inhabitants of high and dry areas. They 
thrive, however, on any except wet, swampy land. The fine-wool 
breeds especially prefer drier lands, wdiile one or two of the British 
breeds are particularly adapted to lowlands. Sheep raising has been 
successfully carried on in areas of tropical temperature with low 
rainfall, but their rearing in high temperatures with a high rainfall 
has not been fully demonstrated. 
PASTURE AND FEED. 
Sheep naturally graze over rather wide areas and seek a variety of 
plants. This habit particularly adapts them to being kept in large 
numbers on lands of sparse vegetation or furnishing a variety of 
grasses or other plants. They do better on short and fine grasses than 
on coarse or high feed. They will eat a good deal of brush and, if 
confined to small areas, will do a fair job at cleaning up land. AYhen 
used in this way, or on land producing only brush, they can not be 
expected to prove very satisfactory in the production of good lambs 
or good wool. 
