Nobody knows from what country sheep first came, but we do know that they were an important factor in the early history of man. History tells us that long, long ago they were raised for both clothing and food. In early writings, as well as in those of modern times, the lamb has been used to represent purity, meekness, and innocence; and the sheepfold has been spoken of as a place of refuge and safety. The view shows part of a large flock of sheep grazing on the great plateaus of Idaho. In the foreground of the view you see the herder and his dog. One herder, with the help of a faithful dog, takes care of a great flock of sheep on these unfenced plateaus of the West. Some flocks contain many thousands of sheep. For months each year, the shepherd lives alone, sometimes in a tent, sometimes in a covered wagon, with no companion but his dog. In this close companionship, master and dog grow to understand each other almost as keenly as though they spoke the same language. And, indeed, the dog does understand his master's words. In rounding up the scattered sheep, the dog follows his master's orders. He circles round the outer edges of the flock, and drives them more closely together. He often goes long distances and brings back to the flock a single sheep that has strayed. During the summer months the sheep wander about over the mountains. In the fall of the year they are driven out upon the lower uplands where they can be better cared for during the winter. Australia leads all countries in the production of wool. In 1915 it produced 641,786,519 pounds. Argentina ranked second. In the same year the production of the United States was 288,777,000 pounds, valued at $67,574,000. Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Idaho are our chief wool-producing states. Keystone ID: 6157 Note: All titles, descriptions, and location coordinates are from the original Keystone Slide documentation as supplied by the Keystone View Company. No text has been edited or changed.