Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1893-03-07

suffered severely from drought. In
those Territories the rainfall has
been very scanty during the past
two years, and the losses Of live
stock have been very great. Per-
haps two-thirds or three quarters
of the number of cattle that we're
on the ranges of Arizona and New
Mexico two years ago have dis
appeared. Many have been ship
ped to California or other States,
and probably a third died OF starva-
ton. In the future, no doubt bet
ter provision will be made by the
ranchmen against dangers OF
drought. The more general resort
to irrigation, where a water supply
is available, permitting the cultiva-
ton of alfalfa to furnish a reserve
supply Of hay, would be a safe
guard against heavy losses when
drought comes on. The native
grasses Of the sagebrush country
make excellent pasturage for cattle,
when the rains have been sufficient
to secure a good growth. There is
no better beef than that fed upon
the bunch grass of the Territories.
Until the present drought began
the cattle men of Arizona and New
Mexico were making money fast.
Such rains as Los Angeles has had
this month would be worth millions
of dollars to the Territories, for
they would put an entirely differ
ent face on the outlook. Mean
while new irrigation enterprises
will be set on foot, and in the long
run the two Territories should be
further advanced in consequence
of the drought than they would be
had the rainfall proved at all times
sufficient for the needs of the stock
interest. A slight scarcity of rain
fall in various parts of California
has been one of the chief causes of
rapid development and increase of
prosperity through irrigation.-Los
Angeles Express.
William Courtenay, the Miles
City, Mont. live stock broker says
there will probably be only
about half as many cattle brought
into that state from the south this
year as there were last year. The
price has gone to about SIS fol
two-year old Texas steers. He also
says that H. G.. Balch, president
Of the Laramie, Wyoming, Ma.
%tional bank and heavily interested
in cattle thinks cattle will be very
much higher a year from now.
The Kansas City Live stock
Commission Company, in a cir
, cular letter Of recent date says
, THE demand for feeders is gooC
all the time. Buyers are taking
{ good butcher stuff into the countr!
! and will feed till May. The de
mand for good class of Western
2 cattle is strong, and wanted to ca
the surplus of rough feed whicl
t will be left in the country. West
ern cattle are wanted to feed on
2 till May and put on the grass
f Such cattle are selling at 80. S5 I
$500 for very thin rangers, to 81. 5
= and 50. 60 for hay fed heavy cattle.
While this may be considered
severe winter on the range, it
undoubtedly the ~severest winte
experienced for many years frol
the Missouri river east. So far {
n can be judged by reports from re
% liable sources there has been M
thing to make stockmen on ii
+ northern ranges apprehensive
the result of the winter. Whe
winter set in grass was above a
average, and cattle have kept j
l. good condition. Good weather
D. now the order of the day and (
far as steers are concerned there
Is no danger. Cows and heifer
more especially those in calf, ha,
VI to face the month of March, whiC
g. is always a trying period no ma
. ter how good the previous montl
g. have been, so there may be a p,
n centage Of loss here.-Miles Gil
70 Stock Journal.
ID Before the summer is over Gait
will once more be regarded as GOO
be properly. You who feel disposed
g. sell out and quit, heed this.
MS There is no wool left in the De
Il yer market and the local grove
I'd are getting ready in a quiet WI
g. for the coming shearing and lam
ing s We hear of none wi