The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-04-24
BARBED FENCES.
Tanners Complaining That Hides Are In
iured BY Them.

Tanners Complaining That Hides Are In.
iured BY Them.
Much has been said in convention by
tanners and written in trade papers re-
latins to the branding of cattle. but
the injurious effects from the use of
barbed-wire fences seemed to have
been ignored or overlooked. That the
branding of cattle is great evil and
a barbarous custom none will attempt
TO deny, but how best to remedy it is
one of the problems yet to be satisfac-
torily solved. As long as cattle are
permitted to roam atwill over the vast
praires and ranges, there should be
some improved method devised as a
substitute for the hot iron for the pur-
pose of distinguishing them when
making tho roundup" Numerous
devices have been suggested, but so
far each one has met with serious OBJ
iections. The cowboys. when making
the roundup, must have some guiding
device or letter which can be seen at a
distance. If small brand, theslZe of a
teacup, be burned upon the rump, neck
or foreshouldcr, these are not pla My
d;st;nguishable upon the crowded herds
during an exciting chase. Ii of the
size of a peck measure Gas many are).
in characters both upon the butt and
body. they are easily recognized, and
each owners stock is separated from
the herd with an adroitness and rapid
ity highly complimentary to cowboys,
dogs and pom es having them in charge.
The theory has been advanced that
time, aud tine alone, would remedy
this evil, based upon the increasing
growth of this great industry; and
again that the ranches are fast being
taken up and becoming the property
of capitalists and wealthy corpora
tons, and the grazing lands Will
eventually be all fenced in, so that each
stock-grower may keep his or their
herds together. Then it is claimed
that branding may be abolished. and
the surplus number of herdsmen re-
duccd. Very true, should all the
stock-growers in the immediate section
of state adopt tn S method otherwise,
suppose the fences dividing the herds
were broken Ohis is no SUPPOSE
ton. but liable to occur daily
the cattle would become promiscu-
Gus. ard herders demoraliZed for want
of some private mark in which TO aid
them in assigning to the lawful owners.
a prom nent tanner, in answer to the
question: What are your views in re-
iation to the branding of cattle, and
what do you recommend as subst;-
tute?" gave a practical answer when
he said that fences, and fences alone,
will accomplish the result, and we fully
believe all efforts of the tanners to STOP
branding viii result only i'll utter fl |.
ure." Should the present branding
system be abolished, the beneficial ef-
fectS could not be seen or appreciated
by tanners for several years, or until
the calves matured in age and Weight
for beef purposes. In the meantime,
radical changes will be made in per
fccting the present system. The mil
Ions of cattle now roaming upon the
plans ard ranges will be supplied with
sheds for temporary shelter. and be
protected from the severe storms OF
winter. Fencing of ranches will be
more generally adopted. This man.
moth industry VII be managed upon
more economic principles. rs upon the
farm, the tannery and workshops
Time worketh wonders. The
present generation OF tanners
NAV not live TO derive the bene-
fits OF better and cheaper hides. but it
is bound 20 come. 1t m ght have been
welcomed ere tbs had tanners worked
more in unison. No great batde was
ever won or blessings conferred except
at the sacrifice of personal interests.
The selfish principle of looking out for
number one. and letting the devil take
tie hindmoSt, prCspers for time, but
like the long lane there must be turn
ing-po.nt. This has been fully eXem-
pliiied during !he past two wears in the
IA .ure of mammoth tam ng inter
ests, whose aim was to control the hide
and leather markets by wedding out
their less fortunate ne ghbors.
The immense prairies OF the West
can not be converted into paradise IN
"A few years, although men OF capital.
OF indom table will, pluck, and enter
Prise, by the building of railroads. are
opening up communication with other
nations. EmIgrat on and colonization
follow upon the heels of great enter
pr.ses. Wild prairies and mountain
Businesses are. as by mage, converted
into teeming farming lands, stock
ranches and mines of gold, ST.
yer, and lead. thereby adding year
" to the wealth of the nation. What
was once Il bowling wilderness has
4. 6,
rails NJ, followed by growing wheat
fields, dotted by farm-houses, villages,
factories; even cities are springing up
like mushrooms. The harbed wire
fence has and is destined to play an
important part in inclosing and pro-
tecting the wealth thus created and en-
couraged by the opening up of new
sections CT the country Concentration
of capital will follow. More attent on
will then be given toward solving the
question OF how to produce greater
number of bushels to the acre. how to
add one or two hundred rouads of beef
to each head of stock and correspond
ing increase in wool, PORK and provis-
ions. This concentrat on of capital in
cattle and agriculture will compel the
owners to fence the r farms and ranches
for self-protection. Barbed Wire will
be preferred TO lumber, because it is
cheaper and stronger. The tanners,
instead of obtaining relief in this d.
rect;on, are nursing the child in its in
fancy The evil is daily increasing
through its general adoption.
The damage tohides from this source
Is nearly as great as that of BRANDING.
AS an illustration l viii improviSe a