The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1905-09-15
- HE DOMESTIC sheep is cosmo-
politan. probably more SO than


lowlands but a few feet above the sea
level and upon the mountain heights
where scanty but rich and tender her
bage is found.
The many breeds of sheep owe theil
existence largely to local environments
of which altitude plays a conspicuous
part. For economic purposes al
breeds may be divided into three
classes, each having it's characteristic
habitat:
First, the long woods, which feed
upon the luxuriant pastures of the al
luvial soils in humid climates.
Second the Downs, or middle woods
which delight in the less luXuriant
heritage of the table and hill lands
particularly those of limestone fOrma
ton.
Third. the Merinos, which revel in
the sweet tender grasses of mountain
heights.
These breed characteristics are the
unerring guides by which the breeder
should be governed in making selec
tons to suit local conditions. The
most important item connected with
an embarkation in sheep husbandry
is proper selection, guided by the
basic principle of harmony between
breed and environment. 1t would be
follv indeed to take the pOnderous
long woods to arid or semi-arld re-
gions. and expect them to develop
large typical bodies and grow long
lustrous wool from the natural herp
age furnished by these lands. IN the
absence of suitable natural conditions
artificial means, such, for instance
as irrigation, may be employed IN Ine
DEVELOPMENT of succulent plants. Inc
selection of this breed, however, loi
This character of soil is OF dOuDt1ul eA
nediency, and much better reSulcs
could be confidently looked Tor VIVID
breeds that are better suited TO such
conditions. D;eo
In the pastoral regions OF the Paclnc
Northwest conditions are not rauicallS
dissimilar to those found on the noun
tains of Spain and some OF Tue
hill lands of Great Britain; r
hence, breeds OF sheep that have
thriven there may safely be re-
liad unon when introduced into
This region. The Merino, as an
Intensely cosmopolitan sheep,
stands without a peer. he
tbrives on the rich alluvial bot
tom lands. presenting rotund-
NV of form that would do credit
10 some of the smaller mutton
hreeds and yields annually
low fleece of admirable wool.
Wo find this same hardy, con
tented breed, in flocks OF 2,oo0
Grazing upon the plains anu
mountain heights, industrlously
mining tender heritage, without
a SION of constitutional defect
in the whole flock. 1t is these
neculiar traits of character tnat
ca eminently fit the Merlno ior Is
transient sheep husbandfy. Inns
breed largely predOmlnates III
the semi-arid regions, and Is
found to be perfectly suited TO
oonditiOns prevailing there. Ihe
owee cross we'll with the Downs
ond long woods, and lambs from
those crosses are quite popular
with the butcher and feeder.
Within the past few years
sheen husbandry in the pastoral =
sections of the Pacific North
west has been completely revolution
lied. Formerly the millions of sheer
grazed upon these plains were KEEP
for the special object of wool grow
ing. Mutton was not even consld
cred as a factor in the industry. there
being no available market for the dis
posal of this product. Less than tel
years since range mutton was sell
ing at 25 cents per quarter. Forum
ately for the industry those conditions
no longer exist, as at present mutto1
is paramount in value to wool, while
the market lamb is destined in th'
near future to become the primary con
Liberation.
The Range Systematic range maj
usually owns a small homestead on ;
creek bottom, of sufficient area t.
produce hay enough to sustain thu
flock during a period of snow in thu