Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1893-07-10
SHEEP RAISING.
Many Miniona Invested IN the
Northwest.
Conditions which Arc favorable to the
Growth and Success Of This Inn.
pOFtant Branch of Farming .-
In America.

One Of the pronounced recent de-
partures in the agricultural industry
+ OF the northwest is change from ex-
elusive grain growing to q mixed in
dustry in which live stock and dairy
Ing arc prominent features. In
Minnesota special attention thus far
has boon given to horses, cattle and
hogs, but in Montana and the Dakotas
sheep are arousing the most notable
interest. In Montana the sheep flocks
have multiplied tenfold in ten years,
and in 1891 numbered over $500, 600
animals. The sheep industry of Mon
tana represents a capital of 'S2e, 00O,-
900, and brings in revenue of nearly
S2,500,000 from wool alone. Montana
wool has in brief period attained q
national reputation. North Dakota is
q recent convert to the sheep industry,
but already has moro sheep than all
other domestic animals combined, and
the industry is rapidly growing in
popular favor as in profitablencss.
The Minneapolis Tribune is informed
by North Dakota farmers that sheep
bid fair to be the solution of the crop
problem, in paving the way to diversi-
fication of products. Experienced
authorities insist that there is moro
money in North Dakota sheep than in
grain and that sheep raising is likely
+ to be the great industry of that state
bcforeSmapy years. With only few
seasons start the sheep industry of
North Dakota has grown to embrace
capital of over $5,Oo0.O0o and flock
OF G00,O0o. The average cost of keep
ing is estimated at 81 per head for tho
state, and the average fleece about
eight pounds. Consequently the wool
alone more than pays the cost of
maintaining the flock, leaving the
natural yearly increase in flock a net
profit. Abundant cheap lands, the
low cost Of hay, grain and pa3turage
and the healthfulncss of the climate
makes the DaGotaS q natural sheep
region. The new industry is solu-
ton OF the singlc-crop problem.
In Minnesota the sheep industry has
not yet attained the prominence given
to several other branches of stock
raising. Indeed, the state has moro
dogs than sheep. Yet the government
report for 1891 credits the state with
100000 sheep, and an average wool
clip of seven pounds per sheep. Tho
principal aim of sheep raising in Min
ncsota IS mutton. Tho government
Especial Report on tho Sheep Indus
try" 1902, states in the chapter on
hIinnesota: "Shecp now pay the farm
or j. 5tor than any other class of stock,
and in the prairie country those who
arc now engaged in raising few
sheep find it the most profitable
branch OF mixed industry" The aver
age annual increase in flock is placed
ut 05 per cont, and the average cost of
keeping at 81 or less per hoal. Tho
government department cnumcratas
numerous NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
favorable climate, the best of feed and
watcr, freedom from disease, and O
frst-class local mar!let-which Ninnc-
sofa possesses over all eastern states.
Sheep brought to Minnesota from Ohio
aud other eastern sheep regions show
marked gain in weight of fleece and
carcass. The government department
entcrtains enthusiastic sentiments re-
garding the future of Minnesota's sheep
industry.