Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-11-30
Herd Law or Free Range.
Editors Western Kansas World:

| Having recently noticed your invitation
to farmers to come forward and DISCUSS
such matters as pertained to their inter-
est in your paper providing the same was
boiled down, of course,) L have dared
to offer few thoughts upon the present
workings OF the herd law now in force in
Trego county, as compared with free
range in this and other states.
In my travels, which have extended
pretty much over all the United States,
have found that wise and muni6cent
Providence has quite evenly distributed
blessings over our entire land. Some
states boast of their magnificent forests;
wonderful mines are the pride of some;
grand mountain scenery makes world
wide fame for some of our western states
That the Great Plains, of which western
Kansas is part, has not been neglected
is evidenced to us in the finest natural
grasses of the world. How to derive the
greatest amount of benefit from this gift
of nature is what should and does inter-
est our farmers more than any other SUBJ
ject associated with farming.
Shall we continue the old system in
vogue for the last ten years and pay out
all the profits in herders' bills, or what is
still worse, keep our boys out of school
year after year to do the work? We
think not. Our people are beginning to
awaken to the fact that there is possibly
better way, and that way is to fence
our farming lands and enjoy the benefits
of a free range for our stock. It was our
privilege to enjoy the latter system in
Illinois for years, and we know that it
has none of the Objectionable features
that is urged here by its opponents. 1t
is well-known fact by those experienced
in such matters that cattle, as rule,
which are raised or wintered together
will seldom stray far from their winter
quarters, that they will follow the sound
of a bell which is usually assigned to the
leader of the herd, and further, if never
driven home that they will frequently
come home for their allowance of salt.
We are convinced that there would DE
less cases of trespass, less litigation, less
friction and irritation with free range
than with the present system.
We have taken some pains to investi-
gate the matter, and find that through
the present season there has been over
one hundred boys, girls and men in Trego
county occupying their time in herding
cattle. Estimating their time at the in
significant sum of 80 cents each per day
for eight months, which is usually called
the herding season, we find that We have
something over twelve thousand dollars
to answer for. Add to this useless ex-
pense and waste of time the loss in
growth of cattle in consequence of being
herded, bounded and driven to death by
boys and thoughtless herders, we venture
the statement that in one season we have
lost enough to fence the entire area of
land that is being farmed in Trego county
at this time.
It is urged, and indeed it is the only
argument for defending the present law,
that it would inhict quite a hardship for
the time being upon many of our farmers.
[ am reminded that this argument is in
line with that used by man with mis-
erably aching tooth which is an ever
incessant source Of annoyance; yet he re-
fuses to have it pulled because it would
intlict some pain, and for this reason he
carries the nuisance along with him year
after year. So are we carrying along the
herd law, a nuisance as it is, because we
shrink from the extra effort it would cost
US to fence our farming lands.
Again it is urged that many can not at
ford to fence. We answer, neither can
you afford to herd.
The writer of this would be put to as
much inconvenience for time under tho
new order as anyone, yet he feels it his
duty to accommodate his gait to the
progressive, forward movement or get out
of line and let those go ahead who can.
This is not meant as fling at farming
in this country; but We do mean to say
that farming and stock raising are insep- |
arabic with us if we would make either
pay. We say convert this small army of
herder boys into farmers if you will.
Give them four months to prepare the
ground and put in crop Of wheat, then
the rest OF the year for school, Farming
under the new order of things will re- |
ceive such a stimulus as has not before |
been witnessed in this country. Our |
pasture which in now So bare that il |
would require an effort with razor-edged !
claw hammer to catch spear of grass |
the sixteenth of an inch long would be |
broken out and put into wheat or other
paying crops. Our boys. instead of being
forced into this most abject servitude of |
herding, which is to them a greater inflic-
than that imposed upon our worst crimi-
mails. oonld then enjoy their share of bene-
fits from our public schools that justice |
entities them to.
The herd law system is at this time
keeping an average of three children out |
of school in every district In the county,
or one fifth Of the whole number Of