Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1886-06-26

increasing ia numbers or in condition,
and are likely to press their claims.
These and other causes have resulted
in causing many large stocks of cattle
with ranch or range privileges to be
placed on the market In most parts
OF the country there is great uncertainty
about the former free range" Those
who have secured titles to the banks of
streams affording an abundant supply
OF water for a large herd feel tolerably
secure. But in all parts of the country
where the land is available for general
cultivation rangemen are suffering from
what they call the encroachments of
settlers. In the progress of agriculture
it is impossible to predict what lands
will be available for cultivation in the
near future. The vast extent of coun-
try marked on the old maps the Great
American Desert" becomes more cir
cumscribed every year. Much of it has
already passed under cultivation. AS
will cease to be part of the national
domain. considerable portion of it
will be devoted to the production of
grain, and more of it will be fenced and
used for pasturing stock. Deep wells
will supply water for stock, and per-
haps for irrigation. Americans, like
Englishmen, like to be the owners of
land, and if they cannot obtain that
which is productive of most of the cul-
tivated crops they will take that which
is only adapted to few purposes.
1t IS no use to disguise the fact that
it is now difficult to find a place this
side of the Rocky mountains where ten
thousand head of cattle can be reason
ably sure of finding free pasturage dur
ing the next five years. Many are now
keeping much larger droves, and they
will continue to keep them for many
years, for the reason that they have
secured water rights" and are on the
ground with their herds. 1t has lately
been reported that Montana cattlemen
Have leased large bodies of land for
grazing purposes in British America
for term of years. 1t is stated that
they pay but a cent per acre for the
use of this land. The government of
the provinces in which this grazing
land is located will probably derive some
revenue by taxing this stock, and prob
ably they think that they can gradually
raise the rent. According to one report
forty thousand head of Montana cattle
have been taken 'across the line" since
the grass started this spring During the
past three years the complaint has been
general that the old ranges are over
stocked. Some state that the native
grasses die out after they have been
cropped by cattle for term of years.
These things, however, do not show
that raising cattle on an extensive scale
on ranch is no longer profitable or
that it will not continue to be profitable
for many years to come. 1t seems GER
tain, however. that the ranchman in
most of the states and territories must
own or lease and fence the land on
which he keeps his stock. Quite likely
he will lind it TO his advantage to sink
wells and TO raise water by wind power
instead of compelling his stock to 90
long distances in order to obtain a
chance to quench their thirst. Comfort
will be found to pay on the ranch as
well as on the improved farm. 1t is
also likely that the owner of ranch
will find it to his ultimate advantage to
introduce improved grasses on the nat
i've sod. These will produce more and
better beef, which will bring a higher
price in the market. Better pasturage
will diminish losses and give more stab
ilty to the business. 1t will require
about twice as much capital to keep a
given number of cattle on land owned
and fenced by the proprietor of
the stock as was needed when they
could Craze at large but the capital
will be more secure. He will gam by
the rise in the value of the land, which
sooner or later will be needed for cul-
tivation us well as by the increase in
tba Siza ond number of his cattle Ii