Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-11-07
CATTLE REARING in COLORADO.


Those possessing stock require a
small quantity of good grass land
for the purpose Of building corrals,
marking, branding, etc. Most Of
the good grass lands adjacent to
good cattle ranges are rapidly being
settled up, but by a poor class Of
settlers, who readily sell for a small
sum. Each settler is entitled to
pre-emption Of his homestead 100
acres, for which he has to pay to
the United States government the
sum of one dollar and a quarter an
acre, or 200 dollars for the 100
acres. cannot here enter upon
the subject of the pre-emption on
homestead laws, as all information
upon the subject can be obtained
from any of the United States emf
grant agents. A small quantity of
hay for the winter for the horses
used in looking after the cattle
where we are located. We also sell
q good quantity from twenty to
forty dollars a ton. A few years
ago most of the cattle here
were imported from Texas and
Mexico, and were consequently a
very Indifferent kind; but within
the last three or four years numbers
Of well-bred cattle have been driven
across the plains from the Eastern
States, and are rapidly taking the
place of the former. / believe that
there is territorial law prohibiting
the importation of Texan or Mexi-
can bulls, or should it be proved
that there are such roaming about
they may be attached by any stock
owners, but all who now possess the
above-named stock are grading up
from good American bulls. At the
present time good three and four
year-old COWS, American stock, can
be purchased for from 20 to %
dollars, and good two and three
year-old bulls Of the same stock for
so to rs dollars. The increase
averages at least 70 or rs per cent.
per annum if properly looked after.
The losses from death and other
causes averages 8 and4percent. The
very great advantage derived here
from cattle-raising over the more
Northern and Eastern States is that
they remain out all of the winter
as well as the summer months, and
do well, and never require to be fed. |
Whilst in the more Northern and
Eastern States it is almost necessary |
to keep the stock up and feed them
for four or FIVE of the winter
months, here they are allowed to
roam at large on their range, which
is government land, and thrive up.
on the rich mountain bunch grass.
consequently the expense of look
ing after them is very triAing.
Twice a year, in spring and autumn,
there are rounds.up in the different
localities which it is most necessary
to attend and see for any that have
from the range. | should |
also state that it is necessary fire.
quently to ride among them on the
range, particularly for the purpose
Of driving in and branding the
calves as well as making ourselves
acquainted with the cattle. Some
Of my own countrymen neglect this
most important part Of the stock.
mans duty, and consequently their
losses are much greater than they
should be. There is always a ready
sale for good fat stock; three or
Iour-year-old steers at twenty-five
dollars ahead; fat COWS, twenty dol
lars, and as the emigration to the
rich San Juan mines is likely to be
very great this spring, the demand
will in all probability exceed the