, 1885-06-21

tue nclltrs anu young COVE OH the TlnBc.
Regarding the sheep business: We have,
perhaps, altogether in the territory in the
neighborhood of halt a million head of
sheep. that would be worth from 81 800
600 to 81, 1000. 600.
Question. Is the climate, soil, and
natural food supply of Wyoming fayora-
Bile 10 the raising of Sheep
Answer. Yes; the business has been
reasonably successful.
Question. Do you brand your young
Lorses?
Answer. Yes; by using a small brand,
which does not disfgure the animal, or
iejure his market value.
Question. Do you allow your horses to
minRle with those of other owners OF
horses, as the cattle of different propic-
tors intermingle on the ranges
Answer. Horses that run on the public
domain mix with other horses. but horses
do not stray as badly as cattle, and become
more attached to a range than cattle. and
for that reason do not mix up so much as
cattle. The horses are not rounded up
by the association. In some instances
horses are kept entirely within Enclosures.
Question. Of late years have owners of
herds OF cattle who own no water rights,
!. e., no land along the streams, come into
Wyoming and allowed their cattle to in
termingle with those of the ranchmen
who own land on the streams, and what
position does the Wyoming Stock Grow
efs Association take in regard to such
cattle owners without water rights
Answer. The association has taken no
action one way or the other MS an associa
ton. But very few instances have occur
red where cattlemen have turned their
cattle loose on ranges already occupied.
1t would be unadvisable for any new
conner TO undertake TO Craze a large herd
upon ranges already sufficiently stocked.
There is a common law or understanding
among ranchmen, generally, with regard
to the range which is supposed IL be tribu
tary to their watering privileges, and they
would naturally feel aggrieved, and be
likely to resent any attempt on the part
of n new conner to place cattle upon the
ranges, and in case he had secured no
water rights of his own, he would be re-
garded as an intruder. The intruder
would, to some extent, jeopardize the in
terest of the occupants of the ranges, as
well as his own, by turning loose more
cattle than the range would support.
Question. Has there ever been any rule
proposed, or even tactily adopted. among
ranchmen of any particular section as to
proportioning the number of cattle which
they shall keep according to the extent Of
the water privileges which they haye2
Answer. None that | have ever heard
Of
Question. The increase in the number
of cattle on the different ranges will, of
course, differ very much. Would it not
be true in time, if it is not true today,
that there will be a very great dispropor
ton existing between the amount of
water privileges which the different ranch
men will own and the number of cattle
which they should own?
Answer. There is NO present Indication
of any trouble of hat Sort. We have
practically exhausted the supply of Ne
vada, Oregon. and Washington Territory,
and the supply from Texas being shut off
by the closing up OF the trail. will compel
the cattle owners of Wyoming to rely upon
their own increase.
Question. What do you think of the
proposition to slaughter beef in Wyoming
and ship the carcasses east instead of the
living animals?
Answer, | think it would be a desirable
improvement and a great advantage TO
the stock interest, besides furnishing to
consumers a clean and wholesome class Of
beef, free from the bruises and feverish-
ness incident to shipping cattle alive, es-
pecially our range animals, which are
highly nervous and excitable.
Question. Do you think it would be a
paying investment TO establish slaughter
ing places in Wyoming?
Answer. | am not posted as to the
business Of slaughterlng, but it occurs to
me that il it is a good business to be car
RED on in Chicago. it would certainly be
more profitable to slaughter the cattle
near the ranges.
Question. In view of the fact that the
carcasses weigh only about 81 per cent. of
the weight OF the live animals, would not
this difficulty arse-that the remaining
43 per cent. representing the hides, hoofs,
horns and other parts, including offal,
which is now utilized in the varied in
dustries of the City Of Chicago. could not
be so proftablv disposed Of in Wyoming?
Answer. In my opinion, it would cost
less to ship the hides, blood, hoofs, horns,
etc, Of the animal, after being slaugh-
tered, than to ship it in the shape of live
animals. The railroad companies would
lose very little in the matter Of total
weight haul, from the fact that the hides,
hoofs, horns, and blood would also be
shipped, but in more compact forms,
making more desirable freights for the
railroads. 1t seems that the railroad
companies have lost sight of this. They
think they would lose all but the car
casses. Besides, if we count the ice
which is used in cooling them, they would
probably, in the long run, haul more tons
weight of dressed animals than they would
of animals shipped alive.
Question. Has any attempt been made
in Wyoming to slaughter cattle there and
ship carcasses east2
Answer. There has been no effort Of
any magnitude with the proper facilities.
Question. What is the average length
of time in transporting cattle from Chey-
enne to Chicago
Answer. About eight days.
Question. How many rests do the cat
tie take?
Answer. They are usually unloaded
about three times, for periods OF twenty
four hours each time.
Question. What is the average shrink
age Of stock in being transported from
Cheyenne to Chicago2
Answer. | think about 100 pounds TO
each 200 pound animal. Cheyenne is
the great center for ths cattle trade OF the
northern ranges,
Question. What is the cost per head of
Transporting cattle from, Wyoming to
Chicago, including all incidental ex-
pensesY
Answer. The average cost of market
ing cattle, including transportation from
points in Wyoming, aud feed, handling.
and commissions in Chicago, is, say, IS
per head. Cattle weigh on the average