20 
PASTURING SHEEP ON ALFALFA. 
We bought our sheep from a herd that was infested and ex- 
pected to dip, but so far have had no occasion. 
I am a strong believer in pasturing as a method of hand- 
ling our alfalfa. Conducted on the principles here described 
there is nothing in my judgment more profitable than 
handling sheep and I hope to see the day when every farm 
in Colorado will be supporting a flock of sheep. 
The total income from these 87 ewes for the year from 
November 1897 to 1898 is as follows: 
40 wether lambs sold in April @ $3.95. .$158.00 
640 pounds wool from ewes @ loc 64.00 
175 pounds wool from lambs @ 14c 24.50 
35 ewe lambs saved for breeding @ $3.50. 1 22.50 
52 lambs for market, 75 lbs. each, Nov- 
ember I, @ $3.00 156.00 
Year’s income per ewe $6.04. 
$525.00 
IS PASTURING ALFALFA PROFITABLE. 
It will be noticed from the foregoing letters that the 
pasturing of alfalfa by sheep is used for several purposes;, 
sometimes for only a few weeks in the spring while the ewes 
are lambing; sometimes for very early lambs to fit them for 
the summer market; more commonly for old ewes that would 
not thrive on the range and by some as a regular way of 
keeping sheep. 
It will also be noticed that there are certain things 
about which all are agreed. By inference we may judge 
that all agree, that for keeping wethers or ewes without 
lambs, alfalfa pasture cannot compete with the open range. 
This is undoubtedly true so that the only profitable use for 
alfalfa pasture is as feed for ewes with lambs. 
It is also evident at the outset that alfalfa pasture is not 
cheap feed, not nearly so cheap as the range. If then it is 
to be used in competition with the range it must be because 
more growth is obtained on the lambs when on alfalfa than 
when roaming the range. 
The question of raising early lambs on alfalfa and other 
feeds will be discussed in the latter part of this bulletin.. 
