San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-05-02

une grass TrunI the wnOIe eartn. During
the whole summer there was a terrible
drought, and the hot winds swept over
the parched plains, shriyeling up and kill
ing all sorts of vegetation. The grass
was as dry and brown in June as il the
frosts Of autumn had already come and
locked up goodly supply of nourishment
in the dead looking blades for hungry cat
tie during the long winter months. But
the old frontier men knew that there
were too many cattle on the range, and
that, even if the grass was good enough
to keep them during the summer and fall,
q great many must die in the cold storms
of winter. In September and October
there was a larger drive from the south
than ever before. Cold weather set in
early in November, and continued until
100000 cattle had persisted from starva-
ton. In every little gulch might have
been seen cattle staggering from weak
ness as they vainly tried to nibble the
short grass to prolong their tortured ex-
istence few hours longer. But at last
they lay down in the snow, and soon the
stupor came on which took their value
from the cattlemen's pockets.
Now, however, the order Of things has
changed, and it is the man of small herds
who has the advantage. 1t is acknowl-
edged by men who ought to know that in
the future the only way to raise cattle
successfully will be to feed and shelter
them well in winter, and either close herd
or pasture them during the warm seasons
The ranges are fast becoming settled by
industrious men, and the land which a
few years since formed part of valuable
ranges now produces good crops of wheat,
oats and corn.
In regard to this, cattle man well
known throughout the west said to your
correspondent few days since: "The day
of the round up is practically over; from
this time on we will either have to watch
our cattle or lose 'em"
Another prominent member of the stock
association said: eyes, it will not be many
years before large herds will be thing of
the past. One or two years will put an
end to the round up, and the business will
be in the hands of local men,"
On being told that your correspondent
had questioned one man about the loss
last winter, he laughed and voluntarily
said "Well, don't know that blame
any one interested in the matter for not
wanting to talk about it, but there is no
use in trying to keep it secret any longer.
Seventy-ive per cent. of all the cattle is
somewhere near it, though so may be
nearer. One firm made drive Of 90, 900
in the fall, and in the spring found a
scarce $780, another of 5000 num-
bered but 500 after the round up
The greatest loss was in cows that had
been, or were, sucking calves. The calf
round up was very small, because the
COWS were nearly all dead. No, it
wouldn't do any good to provide a little
shelter for them. If creature once gets
into an old shack during a storm it will
stay there until the elements are at peace
or it starves to death. Anyway, cattle
are strange animals. Where horse will
paw away two feet of snow, and when
chilly, take little run by way of exercise,
a cow will get discouraged and stay in
the place without food or water until she
dies.-Sun Dance (Wy. T.) Cor. Chicago
Times