Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-05-26
SHEEP IN KANSAS.


poriant branch Of industry. Ii is estimated
that there are 100000 head Of sheep in
Kansas, one for every man, woman and
child within the border OF the state This
proportion is no, maintainsd BY any Of her
sister states, and considering size and popu-
lation, and the short time in which the re-
sal, has been accomplished, it has never
been e1ceiled by any country in the world.
The number Of sheep reported by the de-
psrtment Of agriculture at Washington. for
Kansas in 1870, was los. 0SS. with valua-
ton Of $3.50 1855. The number decreased
slightly in the five following years, although
the valuation was considerable increased.
From 1875 to 1880 there was q steady in
crease, and there is no doubt that the growth
of the busi less in the future will be even
more rapid than in the pact.
The reports Of the regular correspondents
of the state board Of agriculture, as given BY
those practically engaged in sheep farming.
are are almost unanimous on the point Of
the peculiar adap,sbiIity Of kansas for sheep
husbasdry. Nature eeems to have provided
every condition necessary: The fine summer
and winter grasses; the pure and health al.
mo-phere; the short winter; the abundant
streams OF good water; and the thoroughly
drained soil The winters, ss 4 rule, are ex-
ceedingy mild; and sheep rarely find it nee.
esssry to seek shelter more than thirty days
in the year. Usually, sheep can provide for
themselves the year round; but, if feeding lie
necessary, prairie hay can be put up In any
quantity derired at small cost. One ton Of
hay viii winter 100 sheep. But the buffalo
grass is generally good ali winter, and is es-
prcislly valuable for grazing purposes. as it
cures on the ground. and preserves all its
nutritive qualities through the entire season.
II never grows more than a few inches in
length, and curls up close TO the ground.
forming 10 few Year, perfect mat, where
protected from prairie fire.. Ii is undoubt-
eddy the finest winter grass in the world.
The sheep boom 10 not confined TO any
particular point, bu. is becoming general
throughout the STATE.
Kansas stood we'll the test of the great
drought Of 1850, while the sheep men Of
Colorado were forced to kill their lambs in
order to save their ewe-, the Kansas sheep
men sustained very little loes. Not only our
own farmer, but these OF the Eastern slater,
are beginning to realize that sheep-rsising
in Kansas il, profitable business; and the
d.mand for sheep now lie 80 great that deal
ers and traders find it difficult to fill all the
orders.
In summarizing the reports made to the
state board of agriculture, the late Alfred
Grey, secretary, took especial pride in the
development Of this industry, divided the
state into three sections by lines dawn north
aud south, tins forming the Eastern, Middle
and Western belis-the 6rs', or Ea tern one,
more especially adapted to the larger mutton
sheep, the Middle one, TO the medium or
mixed breeds grown both for wool and NUT
tor; and the Western belt to the large fiocks
OF line wool sheep made up of the Merino
aad lis crosses on the common sheep. The
smaller farms, with less free range, and the
nearer points for marketing, Indicate that
the large mutton sheep are more profitable
in the Eastern portion Of the state; while
the almost Unlimited range TO be found in
the Western and Southwestern portions OF
the state presents advantages for extensive
fins-w wool Aocks. and opens field for the
investment of surplus capital which will not
long be neglected.
The mn mher OF ahesn in Summer cnnnfx