Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-09-11
The Changes Of Twenty Years Along
the Pacific IIaIlWay.


just twenty years ago the Pacific railway
began construction across the great plains
and mountains OF the west Then the Rgri
cultural region extended not over 80 miles
west Of the Missouri river, in Nebraska and
Kansas Beyond that point it was too dry,
too cold and barren TO support crops, and
most Of the plains only had grass enough TO
feed the great herds of buffalo, then masters
OF the country. Since then a great tide Of
emigration has sweled toward the setting
sun from the East and met the returning tide
which had peopled the Pacific coast few
years prior, and the plains and valleys are
now teeming with an industrious people all
the way from the "Big Muddy" TO the Pa
cifc. BuiTaloes and other wild animals have
disappeared and given place to domestic ami
mails, while in the aspects of the country the
changes have been no less marked. The rain
belt has swept westward, covering the ooun-
try 30 thoroughly that good farming is done
400 miles west of the possible point Of 1865,
and this, too, without resoTting TO irrigation.
To the writer, who has watched this prog
ress during the last two decades, the changes
in moisture and climate on the great plains
and mountainous country are interesting
features Eastern Nebraska and Kansas
have, too, become noted for their fine fruits,
even in the localities formerly pronounced
too cold, dry and subject to severe winds.
The western parts OF these states, where Gao
ii, lizards and toads hourished, are now Gov
cred with fine grasses, and are the home Of
numerous herds of cattle, horses and sheep.
When the experiment of cattle growing was
first made on Laramie plains, Wyoming Dr.
Latham the protector OF this enterprise, was
thought to be wild in his advocacy of this new
industry. Although misfortune overlook him,
ho demonstrated the practicability Of his
l. 4 A. = Al. Il. -. - e H.
greatest of all in Wyoming Starting in 1865,
on Laramie plains with a small herd of cattle
and few horses, stock raising in Wyoming
has gone steadily onward until to-day the ter
| rtory contains live stock to the value of over
| $50, 900, 900, and the assessors' returns show
| about four-ffths Of the assessed values in the
territory to be in live stock. Eastern people
| look to the great West for their juicy beef
steaks and mutton chops while the great
woollen factories OF New England receive
much of their best wool from the territories.
With all these vast herds of animals, there
has been a great increase in the feed cover
| ing the ranges. Where alkali covered the
earth, whitening it like snow, a few years
| ago, and only greaseweed and other worth
less plants found a footing, through increase
| OF rainfall and moisture the soda has disap
peared and grass taking root has made good
pasture lands. This is no fancy SKETCH hui
a well known fact among old residents. So
important has become the stock business thai
stock trains on railways are run upon fas
special schedules, and everything, even tC
passenger trains, are side. tracked to give
them free passage over the road. The east
ern farmer, who has his barns for housing
feed and animals during the winter, would b,
surprised to see the western stock grower
herdinR cattle the year round without pro
viding hay or shelter. Here the rich buffalo,
bunch and bluejoint grasses in drying in tn,
fall retain their nutriment, and furnish ex
celent feed at all times, when not covered
under the snow. Horses will paw away tbs
snow to q depth OF 20 inches and subsst fol
weeks on such grass, but cattle and sheep d.
not dig for food, but seek places made bar
by the winds. Usually the loss of stock oil
the range is light, but once every few year
there comes a hard winter, and the hocks ar,
80 depleted as to wipe out the profits of sew
eral years.