Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-02-14
DaiIp Kfnnehsl 3ournal.
Western Sheep.

Colorado, New Mexico and the western
part of Texas being naturally adapted by
the climate and herbage for the rearing
of sheep, the number raised in those
States is very large and the remuneration
received from the business, is certainly as
great as in anv other section of the Union.
The lands in those States are high and
dry and perfectly adapted in every re-
spect to the raising of this kind of stock.
Many large flocks are kept on the side of
the huge mountsin ranges, that are so
characteristic OF the lar west and afford
excellent grazing fields. These flocks are
in charge of herder, whose business is
to drive them to these ranges in the early
morn and tend and care for them till the
sun has sunk low in the horizon. 1t is
often no easy task for the owners of
these ranches to procure persons
for the position of herder. as the loneli-
ness of the occupation is naturally disliked
by intelligent men, and as a general thing
but few Americans are employed. 1t is
said by some versed in the raising of
western sheep to be good plan for the
proprietors of flocks to gather quantity
of hay, enough for the nerd to subsist
upon for several days in case of severe
storm which sometimes occur in that Sec
ton in the winter and early spring, and
yet many of the ranch owners never do
this but rely wholly upon the grazing
facilities of the country as a means of SUBJ
sistance the year round. A rapid increase
in the number of the flock can easily be
obtained if the sheep have a good chance.
and by the introduction of improved blood
they can soon be made very valuable. A
Western exchange speaking OF their flocks
says:
"The Cotswold cross ON the native Mexican
sheep adds not only to the size and mutton
qualities, but also covers them with good
quality OF wool of fair length. A Merino
cross will add much to their wool-bearing
qualities, but will not improve their size or
mutton qualities. There is generally
received opinion that the Merino cross is
huSu oNttSt duoptSu W oShS iuh III idiSC
fiocks, but to secure the greatest profit from
the flock of sheep they will find that they
must soon breed for the carcass as well as
for wool, and to do this there is no cross so
good as with the Cotswod. The Cotswods
are distinctive race of sheep that have been
bred for long time as a pure breed, and
their large and massive form, combined with
strong constitution and their long and heavy
fleece of wool. make them the best cross for
these Western fiOcks. Breeds of sheep which
have been made of late years with the Cots
wolds as its main foundation will not answer
as well as the strictly pure and distinct breed
itself"
In some of these large flocks, flock mas
tiers have disease known as the "scab"
which is very prevalent at times and often
destructive, to contend with. But as
general thing, il the proper amount of
care is exercised this may be entirely
avoided. Many of the largest ranch own
ers in the Colorado region are New Eng
land men. and it would be hard to con-
vince one Of them that their section is
not the best in the world for parties who
are going to make sheep raising bust
ness