The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1875-09-16
Surveyor General Reeds
Sixth Annual Report.
4 Continued.
STOCK RAISING.

and profitable uSt In yOullnBi
ms well rs in all the other Territories
along the eastern slope OF the Rocky
Mountains.
1t is now well aecertained by years
of experience, that large herds Of cat
tie will iced themselves and remain
in good condition through our winter
and spring months, without being
fed hay or grain, by their n
They subsist wholly upon the
cured, nutritious grasses Of the Plains,
known as the gramma and bunch
grasses.
In May they are found in better
order than the stock cattle of the far
mel in the States, who feed hay and
corn out Of doors, and does not stall
feed them.
The snow-hlIs are usually quite
light and dry-and within twelve
hours after the storm subsidies, the
winds will bare the hills and plains
SO effectually that the herds can
commence feeding again.
During the storm, unless we'll shell
tered by steep hills and bluffs, the
cattle will niuveu along with the wind
until it abates, when the herders fol-
low and return them to their range.
The system of "round-ups," or
annual gathering, has become so
complete that almost every herd of
stock in the country is driven in,
identified by its brand, and returned
to the owners range-cattle are often
found one hundred miles or more
away. The losses from straying off
are, under this system, reduced to
almost nothing.
The annual profits to the careful,
experienced and judiciuus owner, are
found to range from forty to sixty
per cent. on the investment. l no.
ticed an instance this summer, where
one thousand Texas yearling calves
were purchased two years ago at $500
per head, and were sold this season
for beef, at $500 per head.
IItH ldu bSNtA bCth cllGllNlNu VI
fed hay or grain, and the cost of herd
ing Was So slight, that the owner re-
allied a profit of nearly or quite one
hundred per cent. per annum on his
investment for the two years.
The number of cattle in this liar
amie) county last year, was estimated
to be forty thousand.
Last spring the Assessors list
showed 80, 900 head, but more than
5000 head have no doubt been over
looked in the county.
The Assessors roH shows less than
1000 horses and mules, but this is far
below the number, we believe.
This year the stock cattle imported
into this county, and into the valleys
OF the north and south Plates, in
close proximity, number 1895 head.
These are brought in from Texas
mainly, and some from New Mexico,
and sold to the established stock
growers, who keep the three year
olds n year to fatten them on our
rich grasses, and then ship them to
Chicago for sale. The one and two
year Odds are retained one two or
more years for growth, and then
shipped to market.
In this manner the stock growers
are accommodating wealth at a more
rapid rate than any other class of oCr
citizens.
Mr.. ]. w. Iliff is the largest stock
grower and operator in Wyoming or
Colorado.
His herds number from $4,000 to
$4,000, some grazing in Wyoming,
but the largest number occupy favor
able locations along the valley of the
South Platte and its tributaries.
Mr.. Dudley H. Snyder, whose herd
occupy the valley of SabiIle Creek in
this county, is perhaps the largest
importer of Texas stock into Wyo-
ming.
He and his brother, John w. Sny-
der, of Texas, own large ranges there,
and cooperate in the stock importing
business--one buying herds and driv-
ing them from Texas, and the other,
Mr.. D. H. Snyder receiving them
here, and disposing OF them to our
largest ranch men and stock growers.
This season, the 80, 935. head inn
ported, have been purchased by our
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