26 BULLETIN 573, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
are becoming increasingly interested and better informed; the climatic 
and agricultural conditions furnish excellent opportunities for sheep 
production, and there is every reason to believe that prices for both 
mutton and wool will continue to be high. In developing the indus- 
try it is Important to keep in mind the relationship of sheep pro- 
duction to the other industries of the farm and to the range sheep 
industry.” It is desirable that conservative methods be followed. 
The importance of community action should not be overlooked, and 
serious efforts should be made to stabilize the industry. 
CONSERVATIVE PRACTICES. 
For the man who is inexperienced in sheep husbandry it is undoubt- 
edly desirable that the start should be made in a small way and with 
grade ewes. If he desires, he can later work gradually into pure- 
breds. In this way the common mistakes of the beginner are made 
with relatively Inexpensive grade sheep, and by the time the pure- 
breds are secured the requirements of good care and management 
can have been learned. The most successful breeders of pure-bred 
sheep at present are for the most part those who gained their early 
experience with bands of grades or with range sheep. The success of 
the registered flock will depend entirely upon the owner. Before 
securing pure-bred stock the flockmaster should be prepared to give 
the flock every advantage. By the time the necessary experience 
and knowledge have been gained through handling a flock of grade 
sheep the shepherd will have learned whether or not the work is to 
his hiking and whether he will be willing to devote the care and atten- 
tion necessary to success with pure-breds. Such procedure requires 
time, but it seems to be the only safe method to follow. 
RELATIONSHIP OF SHEEP PRODUCTION TO OTHER INDUSTRIES. 
There are but few farms on the project where a small flock of sheep 
can not be kept with profit. It is believed that the absence of sheep 
from many farms is due to ignorance of the farm owners regarding the 
possibilities of sheep production. Another reason is a lack of definite 
knowledge of the lore of sheep husbandry. It must be admitted that 
some men can never make a success with sheep. It is questionable 
whether the hasty, impatient, quick-tempered, or careless man can 
succeed in any live-stock industry, particularly with sheep or dairy 
cattle; but to the man who has an inherent interest in farm animals 
and to whom it is a pleasure to see stock kept thrifty, comfortable, 
and contented, the small farm flock of sheep is a source of both 
profit and pleasure. The production of such flocks fits in well with 
the other industries of the rigated farm in this section, as already 
has been pointed out. It is necessary, however, for the farmer to 
adjust his sheep-production activities to his other farming operations, 
