, 1889-12-05

extends rom about the 1ODth meridian
OF west longitude to the Sierra Nevada
range and the Pacific ocean. APPROX
mately its dimensions are 200 mics
from north to south, and 1900 miles
iron. east To west. 1t contains, In round
numbers, l00,00o00O acres of land. Ac-
cording to Major John w Powell, direc-
tor OF the geological survey, il embraces
about iour-tcnths of the total area of the
United States, exclusive of Alaska.
For many years the arid region was
known as the Great American Desert
This designation, with respect to one
was apparently correct
of agriculture. But in other important
particulars 1t is. glaringly incorrect and
misleading; When supplied with water
its soil is highly productive. Besides,
throughout this area, and suited to its
Nature, out of her feclndity,
has planted variety of highly
nutritious grasses, which cure in
the open air, and retain their nu.
tritious properties through the storms
and atmospheric changes of two and
even three years. No hay gathered
principal grasses of the arid region are
buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides),
grainma grass (Bouteloua oiigostachya(,
and "bunch grass" of various species,
When these tail animals have recourse
to sage brush and grease wood (SurCo-
batus vermiCulatusJ, and the shrubs
which grow along the borders of
streams. For untold centuries these
grasses, herbs and shrubs afforded
abundand pasturage tor millions of
butlaloes, elk, moose, deer and other
gruminivorous animals.
In another important particular the
designation Great American Desert is
giaringly incorrect, Tho lands of the
arid region become surprisingly produc-
tive when irrigated by turning water
upon them from the rivers and smaller
streams. a given amount of labor and
capital expended in agricultural pur-
suits in the arid region will, by means
of irrigation, produce much larger re-
suits than in the rainfall area,
This , is an an economic 1i and
importance, which will be more fully
treated i'm separate article. Large por-
tions of the arid region, however, can
not be irrigated, and for all time will be
of value only as II pasturuge. Other eX
tensivc areas, embracing the more
mountainous areas, are valuable only as
forests.
PASTORAL INTERESTS OF THE ARID REGION.
Until about twenty years ago the arid
region remained the hunting ground of
Indians, who during the summer
months were permitted to leave their
reservations and engage in their iavorite
avocation---the chase. But II change
came OF momentous consequence to the
whole country. 1t was discovered that
the nutritious grasses at the arid region,
which cure so perfectly in the open air,
are available for the raising of domestic
animals with no care save that of herd
ing. Late in the fall of 1864 wagon
train hauled by oxen was on its way to
II military post in Utah. Its progress
was arrested on the Laramie plains by u
severe snow storm, which compelled the
people in charge to go into winter
quarters. Their oxen were turned loose
to die, but instead of perishing with
hunger during the winter months they
grew fat upon the abundant nutritious
grasses-nature's hay-which covered
the hills and the valleys. The knowl-
edge of this fact was soon spread.
At this time there were in Texas mill
ions of young cattle worth only from
81 to rs "a head on the rang, about the
value of their hides and tongues. Hun
dreds of thousands, and eve;i millions,
of these were driven North in vast herds
Young cattle were also brought in from
the East and from the West, and within
ten years the ranges of the arid region
were stocked from Texas to Montana.
Thus the butlaloes were expelled from
their former grazing grounds, while
hundreds OF thousands of them were
killed for their hides. But If no Amer
lean or foreign hunter had ever visited
the arid region the expulsion of the
buffaloes would have been as certain
and about as rapid as it was. The
moose, the elk, and the deer also re-
treated to mountain Businesses, and in a
marvelously short period of time the
Indians occupation AS u hunter was
forever gone. Besides, the Texas cow
boy, accustomed to fierce encounters
and a born enemy to the Indian, held
ton.
The quality of range beef has i'm
proved considerably by crossing the
''native" and Texas cows with graded or
full -bloodcd bulls of the Hereford
Polled Angus, Galloway and Short.
Horn breeds. Besides, it has been found
that young Texas cattle attain Il greater
weight on the Northern ranges than
held in Texas. Sheep husbandry has
been successfully introduced into all
parts of the arid region. The losses
among sheep. on account of severe and
protracted winter storms are much less
than among cattle. The wool product
OF the arid region is of fine quality, and
is constantly improving by the care
taken OF the sheep during the winter
months and by judicious breeding. The
total wool product of the arid region in
1897 was about 10000, 600 pounds, and
90 per cent of the total wool
product of the Uuited States.
RAISING HORSES ON THE RANGE.
Raising horses 'on the range has also
become Il large and profitable industry,
in Wyoming, Utah and Idaho,
The climate in the arid region develops
in horses excellent lung power and the
of food and climate produce
strong bones and hoofs. Imported stock
for breeding purposes has been eNtcn-
sivoly introduced of the Norman-per-
choron the Clydesdale, Kentucky thor
oughbred and other fine strains of
horses. Both the roadsters and work
horses OF the arid region command high
prices i'll Eastern markets. There are
now within the limits of the arid region
about IL, 100000 cattle, $4,000, 600 sheen
and 100000 horses. The sale of the
annual surplus product of cattle, horses
and wool alone has created large and
profitable commerce.
The raising Of horses, cattle and sheep
on the range is carried on chiefly upon
the public lands of the United States for
the United States government has al
ways allowed its public lands to be used
as u common pasturage. The herdsmen
usually pre-empt and purchase land
along streams, which are essential for
domestic animals, and furnish
merely the nucleus OF their herding op-
erations.
For awhile the opinion was generally
that the arid region is avail
able only for pasturage and that it must
be forever treated as such. But this is a
mistake. Another great change is tax.
ing place. 1t has been proved that by
means of irrigation the lands of vast
a rla are SlIscentihle of an onormnna nnd