The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-16
RANCH LIFE IN COLORADO.
SHEEP RAISING As 4 BUSINESS ON
THE HESrERN PRAIRIEs.
Adobe and LOG Dwellings, Lack Of the Conn
forts OF Civilization. aud PLENTY of Hard
MOrk-The N odes and the Profile.


great interests ~ Colorado. many preferring
this Territory to California for this and other
stock. Mexican ewes are bought for sl1j to 81
per head aud crossed with tot-Wold- to in
crease IA" size. South Downs and fun Merinos
are brought from the states to- improve the
blood aud bring the wool up to the finer grades.
The grasses Of the prairie are nutritious, and
the abundance ~ space allows vast herds to find
maintenance without the expense " fencing or
cutting hay for the winter. There are several
varieties of grass that follow one another in
succession. some curing IN the sun. and although
brown aud dry at the top. remaining full II
nuuri-hmcnt Near Trinidad u gentleman found
In an acre Of prairie III different kinds
81 grass. The phons. low species Of pine
and cedar. grows near the edges Of tho canon,
and affords protection for the sheep from the
storms. In the cahons the sheep mud water.
These are deep, open seams In the earth. or rock,
riyen apart ages ago by some mighty CONFUSION
Of nature. They are nlled with underbush. ever
greens. wild plum trees. and cottonwood. and
generally have water holes, and sometimes
springs Of pure water. In times 81 long rains. or
~ snow melting ON the mountains. they are
found with swift, muddy streams They are
wild and romantic in appearance and of various
depths, some even reaching on the rivers 2,oI0
feet. one man can care Tor n flock Of 1,CO
sheep. but two are required for more than that
nunher-one to supervise. keep The camp, cook,
aud watch the sheep at night while the other
herds them by day, the latter receiving from Sl2
to al, per month aud ratons. and the former
getting from Sai to S25 per month II the own
his amount and generally loses less sheep. ha,-
! Ing the vigilance of ownership.
THE uERpERs LIFE.
Some sheep men spend the larger part. II not
| all their time in camp. moving wherever the
pasture Is most inviting. In winter on the prairie
| and iu summer ON the mountains or in ono Of
] the national pnrNs. As two men can herd 400
| sheep a. we'll a. 2.OO0, the cost ~ running large
| herds Is not pruportionWely great More hands
/ arc hvcded IN tie lambing season. and when
! shcariug H. necessary. prOic--cd -hrHfcrS must
| be hired to cut the fleece. Tho preference Is
! given to California shearerS. handling the sheep
! better and shearing closer than McXican-. The
/ Californian holds the sheep with one hand. be-
tween his knees. and shears with the other " lille
! the Mexican ties and throws down the sheep.
sitting on them, or putting hi knees into
! McXican gets cent. fleece the Californian
| cents T lac average weight oi Mexican fleece Il
pound. Tine average weight II improved wool
! per fleece l. from 10 pounds. and sells from
y To- ~ cents per pound There ia a difference
| Of opinion with regard to shcaring sheep before
| or after the birth OF the lambs. which are born
ia early sprins' about Nay II sheAnng takes
! Ing absorbed mucn grease. weighs heavier and
i therefore more profitable to the seller.
! Lambs are taken from their mothers In Septen-
/ her and formed with the wcthers into a separate
herd seeking their own maintenance They are
| morning. With hcrdcr till they are thoroughly
weancd. requiring about four or Ave months,
| when they are again united 10 the large herd.
ooLoRtpo HOMES
The homes ~ people In this country are called
/ ranche. They are generally built ot logs or adobe
' and sometimes ~ both. The adobe l. formed ~
peculiar kind Of earth. found ia the ONIONS
] and other local ities und whoa mixed win cut
/ haN and water forms mud That h4rdtus with
cNp'.ire % snu' WIND an rain. Ihe pr9ce,ss II
leans. who cut toe hay into shor, lengths. and
beat the whole mas ~ c'i %, hH} ana NAicr m
naNcu feet. Both men and women apply it go Tho