THE SHEEP INDUSTRY ON THE MINIDOKA PROJECT. 9 
black-faced breed as a first cross on the range ewes for the production 
of choice early-maturing mutton lambs. The Hampshire flock 
started at this time was selected and owned by an experienced 
sheepman, who was an expert judge of sheep; consequently, the flock 
ranked high as to both type and breeding. As most of the Hamp- 
shire flocks at present on the project have descended from this 
foundation stock, the Hampshires as a whole, both grade and pure 
bred, are of uniformly good quality. In 1912 several farm flocks 
of pure-bred and high-grade Lincolns and Cotswolds were established 
for the purpose of raising rams to sell to the range sheepmen. The 
farmers who started properly and gave their flocks good care and 
attention and have become well informed regarding sheep hus- 
bandry have been very successful. Their example is being followed 
by other enterprising farmers. 
So far, the Rambouillet breed has not been popular among the 
farmers. The irrigation farmer quite properly has had in view mutton 
production as a first consideration. Consequently, mutton breeds— 
Lincolns, Cotswolds, Hampshires, and Shropshires—are the most 
popular at present. There is an excellent opportunity, however, 
for the establishment of pure-bred Rambouillet flocks, chiefly for 
the production of rams for use in range bands. 
The 21,029 sheep on the project at the close of 1916 are classified 
in Table IJ, which shows the number of both grades and pure breds 
of each of the breeds represented on the project. 
Taste I1.—Breeds of sheep on the Minidoka Reclamation Project in 1916. 
Number of— 
' Breed. és ea i Total. 
ure | Jnclass- 
breds. Grades. ified. 
Hamipshinesice= ce. 8.325 Tee Ue RRS Eee AL ae gee eee 246 S202. ae a 1,066 
Shropsiines= =. <=: Sos Shae at 2 SRE ete) See a Se | 0 LOG 3 eee cece ces 106 
GOES WwiO) rere eres yee ceria Se ees Bed esse Soe el 209 SAao se ile alee ate 553 
IMO. 6 cos d SSSA ea ee ees eae ae 300 BONE) ABH eas saat 3, 653 
EER ciao OGRE bye teats ea es ane 2 a Oe i | 40 GAAS i ase ee S 
Welanles WeninOseer per earn es ae Se ARE Ret 0 250 es otercr 250 
MixecdaDpneed Serpe rctser ete Sh rae yeas Oe ee SS Gee cee penalties cosaeac 14,917 14,917 
AOC: 83 Sous b's Sag ae eae et a og ot 795 5,317 14,917 21,029 
Of the crossbred or range type of sheep kept, there are some flocks 
that are being graded up. Others are bred so as to maintain the cross- 
bred type, as it is popularly supposed that the ewes of this mixture are 
hardier and are better mothers than those of straight breeding. 
Other arguments advanced in favor of crossbreds are that the ewes 
of this type will yield more wool than the Down breeds and that if 
a good buck is used good mutton lambs will be produced. There 
is some justification for these arguments, but it is also true that these 
flocks can never attain the high standard of individual excellence 
104987°—Bull. 573—17——2 
