The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1920-01-13
SYSTEM USED
IN HERD|NG SHEEP

On sheep ranges which are properly
stocked the principal oncer Is o
employ. methods of herding which VIII
tend to distribute the band uniformly
over the area instead of massing or
launching it. Range destruction re-
sults through soil packing u the
exposure of the roots OF the vegeta-
tion. due to the animals being driven
in a compact body or allowed to trail
over sidehills in excessive numbers.
Investigations with different
methods of handling sheep have very
clearly demonstrated that the animals
do best when allowed to Craze at VIII
and bed out wherever night overtakes
them. Typical summer ranges grazed
by sheep under fence where the band
was not herded at all, demonstrated
that 1t requires from twenty-five to
fifty per cent less range than where
the sheep were handled under the old
system of more ore less close herd
ing and where they were driven to the
same bed ground for several suces-
sive nights. The practice of bedding
sheep in a new location each night
is known as the bedding out"
"burro," or blanket" system.
The marked increase In the carry
ing capacity of forest ranges which
has resulted largely from improved
methods of handling sheep. has led
many stockmen to adopt the bedding
out system. approximately fifty per
cent or more of the sheep grazed on
national forest ranges are now herded
under this improved method.
The chief advantages of the bedding
out system over the old method Of
using established bed grounds are:
"a the band Is always or fresh feed;
(2) lambs are not overworked by be-
ing logged while returning to the
bed ground; t3) the range does not
become ~overgrazed through repeated
trampling; (4) less range is required;
90 the lambs weigh between five and
ten per cent more at the end of the
grazing season than do lambs grazed
on similar range handled according tc
the old system; (6) sheep require less
water as feed is available in early
morning when the plants are covered
with dew.
The equipment necessary to handle
a band of sheep under the new system
is practically the same as that use,
under the old method. with n ex
ception. Under the bedding on
system the herder has a small "tepee
for use In case of storms when it |
not possible for him to return to hi
supply or headquarters tent for tn
night. Some herders use a burro o
saddle horse to transport their be
and tepee. but this is seldor
necessary.
In view of the increase in gain
made by the sheep and the improve
carrying capacity Of the range result
ing from the open or bedding OF
method of herding it is probable tina
practically all sheepmen will 500
adopt this meritorious system.
City Council will meet for the purpos
Of opening and considering the bid
received. No bids under par will b
received or considered and the Counci
reserves the right to accept a bid TO
the whole or any portion Of said bond
and to reject any and all bids. AL
bids must be accompanied by an IN
conditional certified check. payable I
the order Of the City Treasurer. fo
the sum Of $4,000.
Dated this 10th day Of Januar!
AID. 1920.
FANNY HARP, City Clerk.
First publication. January 13. 1920.
Last publication, February 3. 1920.