The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-03-28


The most reliable information obtain
ed gives the number Of sheep in this
State As about 1900. 900, valued nj 90 rs
per head, or $500, 900 in total value.
Last years clip Of wool was about s.
OO0.0OO pounds. estimated At Ia cents
per pound, $4,000. There should be
added 10 this 800. 900 lambs, valued At
81. per head, S7JU,0V0. During 1878
$4,000 head were driven in from Cali
fornia and $1,000 from New Mexico.
The shipments Of wool the coming sea-
son will be about 10000 pounds,
which at last years price will amount TO
81 va, 900. 70 which may be added the
value OF 10000 lambs NJ $3.50 per
head, Sl.l25,O 900, making S2,350, 900
income from sheep alone. These fg-
ures may not be realized, but have
given you the lowest estimates Owing
70 the long distance, and the want Of
double decked cars, the railroad freight
on sheep TO Eastern markets is SO high
that Il will not pay 70 ship mutton 70
any great extent. Thus far the bu iness
Of sheep raising in Colorado has been
very profitable, and can see no reason
why il should not continue so for years
TO come when conducted with sufficient
capital and experience. I will mention
one instance where large profits have
been realized. A flock OF 500 ewes.
costing $4,000, We're placed on ranch
in southern Colorado. la eight years
1000 sheep were killed for mutton and
consumed on the rsuch (this is almost
equal 70 the consumption Of fresh beef
AT our county house,, and 7,74O were
sold for S29,620. There are IL 800 head
on hand wogth, at 50 per head, sii, 400.
The wool crops paid for shepherds and
all current expenses. The result shows
net profit over the original investment
of S6s, 800, equal TO 1873 per cent. per
annum for eight years in succession.
Now turn and look at the other side Of
the picture. Out Of flock of l, 200 very
fine selected ewes, worth "a per head,
800 died during storm of two days last
March.
We at the East can hardly realize the
isolation oftentimes attending ranch
life. A few days since we renewed the
acquaintance of young gentleman
whom we met at Denver last year. He
is Of distinguished family of Northern
New York and graduate of one of our
Eastern colleges. He came TO this State
about a year since for the benefit of his
health, which was considerably i'm
paired. His physician advised him TO
60 on sheep ranch, where he would
have constant outdoor employment. He
soon engaged himself to two Scotch
shepherds to assist them in the care of
sheep, and for five months the three
men managed the affairs of the ranch,
both indoors and out, each taking his
turn in the art Of cooking, and each
doing his own washing. The ranch is
70 miles from Colorado Springs,
which is their base of supplies.
The unvarying duties Of shepherd
are about as follows: Atsunrise to take
his flock, usually from 400 to 600, &C
companied by his trusty horse and faith
ful dogs, to green pastures and beside
still waters, II he can find them, and
here remain all the day long with
watchful eye over his charge 20 see that
none fall into the ditch or 60 astray.
When the sun goes down behind the
Rocky Mountains it is time to start for
home. The signal Is given By the shep-
herd-the dog Is on the alert-the "bell
wether" leads the way to the fold or cor
al for the night, and when safely pro-
.ected from foes without, such as prairie
wolves, the days work is done, only TO
be repeated day in and day out, month
after month. The dog is a valuable
auxiliary in the care of sheep. The
= Scotch collie /" surpasses all others in
is natural aptitude for the work, and
,ftentimes one well trained sells for
s150.-Cor. Troy (N. ~ Times.