The anti-monopolist., 1875-08-16
FARM AND GRANGE
The Western Cattle Ranges.

the stockmen of Illinois to hnd out tne
grass Of the plains is remarkably nutrl-
tious. and that it furnishes such excel
lent feed during the winter that no hay
is required, at least fol horses and cattle.
Now this is pretty generally understood,
and undoubtedly to great degree
through the New York Tribune, and this
spring witnesses a great many stock
men from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and
Kentncky and some from New England
seeking suitable localities for keeping
cattle and sheep. AS a general thing,
such are greatly disappointed, tor they
come hither with the idea that it will be
easy to find spot in some valley dlvld-
ed by clear-running stream where
thew can settle down, or at the worst, tney
will take large spring VI country
go vast, it is not for moment supposeu
that it is all occupied, since it's known
that the number of people IN wyoming
is onlv about 5000. in Colorado ABOUT
40 900 and New Mexico about the same.
The trouble lies in their finding no suit
able range with water unoccupled-at
least within reasonable distance OF
town for the idea with all this class OF
mon is that thev cannot think OF taxing
their wives out in the wilderness ss to COOK
and wash for herders, and to live With
o,+ ooc,atv. they have worked too hard
already and they deserve and shall see
better times
majority of those seeking ranches IS that
they 60 not propose to buy land at all,
not even 100 acres with water on lti at
least they would not pay more than
few hundred dollars, tor although they
may have $4,000, $4,000 or 10000 they
want it all, and more too, to put INTO
cattle or sheep. That men having farms
in the east we'll improved, and good
homes. should, on coming out to the
nlains at once seek wild nomadlc llfe,
IS a sort of mystery, unless 1t IS to De
said that in a manner they recollect the
lives of their remote ancestors away
back in the pastoral ages, when there
were no other dwellings, than tents. 1t
is true enough that a given range Is apt
to be overstocked and eat out, when 1t
will be necessary to 60 elsewhere, but II
ouobt to be considered that, while com
petition is great, this style OF keeping
cattle must come to an end, for the larg-
or stockmen having from 1000 TO 5000,
and from this up to 10000 and 2O,Ooo
head. can easily crowd out and drive
away one with few hundred head, and
there is no help tor it as long as the
ranoe is free. 1t seems, therefore, that
tho idea of free range has demorallz-
mo influence on the majority OF men, Tor
the more they can get without price the
less willing they are to invest COLLAR III
ANYTHING bat cattle.
Sheep men. however. see the absolute
necessity for having permanent heaa
quarters, and supply OF hay, especlally
Tor the ewes in the spring. and therefore
thew become owners of real estate, or o
..cla;msr 1t is to be added that all wht
have been on the plains few years buy
land that they may have water whlet
cannot be taken away, but their i'm
nrovements are hardly worthy OF th'
name One man may be mcntione,
who has a contract for 32o acres, or tw'
quarter sections, IRON IA raliroau ana ~
and his family have pre-empted TWO oth
er quarters, and they live IN caoin'
the center having beautiful stream
which bv the way soon SINKS ana Win
out having turned turrow, or planted
Tree. he wants $40 an acre, or So,4oo 10
his right, for it is little more, since h
has made but small payment to tn
railroad. He has over 3oo head OF ea'
tle which IN a few years will increase
thousands. Lately man from fennsyl
yania explored this country thoroughiy
wanting to bring in 5000 blooded sheer
and as he did not propose to buy an
land he went back into Kansas, III
miles from the west line. where he ca
oet water and uninterrupted range; ol
be did not understand. or he would ne
believe that upon that line OF longltud
fall rains are likely to come. and whe
thew do, they destroy grass for wlnst
feed Nor did he, nor do others, unde
stand that il there is any locality whel
water is abundant. where winter grain
= GOOD and where Indians are not lik'
~ 10 be troublesome. that it will not |
lonc before there will be plenty OF neig
hors and the grass will be eat out.
There is another obstacle greater tina
all these. This is the large cattle owl
ers whose flocks or herds steadily i
crease and soon there Is no chance II
common men. Several OF these lars
owners who have developed themseIv
within a few wears are on the groun
In most cases they commenced with
few head then they took cattle
shares: they strictly attended to bus
ness: they were out in the roughest al
coldest weather: few Of their cattle ST
tered or were lost; they were faithful
all their dealings; then they bought
credit; made payments promptly; tn
shipped to Kansas City and Chieag
and everything prospered. General
such men bring their families out on {
ranch. Their houses, though not el
CANT. are comfortable; there is nice il
niture: books and papers abound t
children are either sent away to scho
or a teacher is employed in the hous
there are plenty of male and female St
wants; supplies OF every description al
Of the best are bought at wholesal
Nor is cultivation neglected. for wat
is taken out of the stream or lar
springs for irrigation; vegetables OF ;
kinds and some small fruits are grow
and the home is pleasant. and, TO dece