The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1883-03-23
Famous Ranches OF New
Mexico.

or wool are the most profitable indus
tries Of the western country. And par
tieularly is this the fact in New Mexico.
The ranges are covered with nutritious
grass that furnishes food for the ami.
mails all the year round. Water Is
abundant. In the region about Albu-
querque and southwark the climate is
mild and there is never any loss from
cold weather. And in the northerly
portions of the territory where the
winters are severe the broken mesas
and timber furnish ample protection
against the worst storms that come. In
order to give the readers of this paper
correct information concerning these
great industries. | have obtained facts
from 6. w. Lewis, one Of the largest
and most successful operators in this
section, and from other sources, which
/ shall here present. According tO the
last census reports there were in the
territory of New Mexico 100000 sheep,
and in the county of Bernalillo 100000.
There were shipped from Albuquerque
in the year 1882 10000 pounds of wool,
and from the territory 3O,OC0,O 900 pounds.
1t is estimated that the shipments from
here this year will amount TO 100000
pounds. Cattle and sheep all run upon
the open range, changing from n
range to another-any confinement of
the herds being unnecessary, and in
fact impracticable. They of course
have to be attended by herders. To
give some definite idea of what is done
in the sheep business, take, for example,
a herd of 5000 ewes. These would cost
at present prices $3.50 per head-repre-
senting an investment of $500. Ten
TO fifteen rams are required to every
thousand ewes-say seventy-fve rams
for 5000 ewes. Half aud three-quarter
Merino rams can be bought here at So
each-say 1915 for seventy-fve rams.
For eight months in the year three
heTders, at a cost of $I5 per month
each with board, are required. During
lambing time ten extra men are re-
auired for m month. Shearing costs
two and one-half cents per fleece with
out board, and two cents with board.
These figures represent the total ex-
penses. Now for the other side. The
increase of the herd is eighty per cent,
every year. AT the very lowest esti-
mate 5000 ewes will produce $1,000
pounds of wool per year two shearings)
and this reckoning is made from partly
improved sheep from old Mexican
stock. The wool as it is brought in the
market In an Inferior condition never
brings less than fifteen cents per pound
and frequently brings sixteen and sew
~enteen Genes.
Vranchmen here who are rated at
all as In the sheep business have herds
of $4,000 and 10000, and many have
100000 and 10000, and when the bust
ness is carried on OH so large q scale ii
can readily be seen that the profits run
mp into very handsome figures. 1t is
from this and the cattle business that
the largest fortunes have been made.
For a herd of 5000 cattle a range of
10000 acres is needed to give them
ample moving and grazing ground.
Land can be bought in the land grants
for thirty-hve to forty cents per acre.
1t is altogether unnecessary, however,
in the present condition of the country
to buy more than a few hundred acres
covering water. The almost universal
plan here Is to have a small ranch for
headquarters and let the cattle run at
will over IA large area of country. Dry
cows a be bought at $18 and $40 per
head cows with calves at $25 to $50
Large numbers can be bought in the
territory at these figures. For the care
of 5000 cattle ten men and twenty
ponies are required. Ponies cost $50 tC
S75. The pay Of herders is from $40 tC
1926 per month and board. 1t may bt
observed that great care should bi
taken to select honest and careful mel
to take charge of herds. A herd Of
cattle doubles its number every thret
years. Beef steers four to six year.
old bring $50 to $40. Mr.. Lewis says
that his W experience and that Of
many others has demonstrated that thu
cattle business yields, after allowing
for all possible expenses and losses, F,
clear profit of twenty-five to thirty PEI
cent. per annum, and the same IN sheer
raising. He says that the cattle an(
sheep business is carried on here in thu
most careless and reckless manner ant
yet yields large profits. He is satisfied
that with improved methods, the intro
ductiOn of better bloods, and create
care and attention to all details, thes,
industries can be made to pay an annua
profit of forty per cent.
MI. Lewis owns about 10000 head O
sheep. He makes the proposal that h
will furnish to any honest, industriou
experienced American any number o
ewes from 1000 to 5000 on the condition
that he (Lewlsl shall receive two pound
of wool per head each year; that tn
Al N