The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-19

cation demonstrated the fact that the
mesa grasses and the yellow stem and
redtop of the timber slopes were won
derfully nutritious and fattening. AS
soon, then, as the reservation was open
to settlement the cattlemen took pos
session of the ranges For several years
the cattle lived throughout the year ON
the ranges, but of late they crop the
feed so close in the summer that there
is little left for winter in the sheltered
places.
So here, as in San Miguel, the cattle
men are forced to prepare winter food.
This is considered an excellent thing for
everybody, as it furnishes a market to
the ranchmen for their alfalfa, and they
are thus constantly enriching the soil.
The cattle thrive all winter, and in the
spring the cows are in fine condition to
turn out on the range. While the profit
to the cattlemen nnder this system may
not be quite SO large it is surer than
under the old regime.
The country about the Ute reservation
between southern Colorado and New
Mexico affords the greatest advantages
for herding cattle in it's alternating
ranges and in the divisions which the
natural rough features of the country
make between these ranges. For years
it has sustained large herds of cattle,
and the cowboys have driven their herds
back and forth across the reservation,
which condition of affairs has in itself
been a prolific source of trouble between
whites and Indians. The proposed reser-
walton for this tribe lies in the south
eastern corner of Utah. There are from
90, 600 to 100, 600 head of stock here,
the property Of foreign capitalists, who
are zealously fighting the removal of
the Utes to this territory.
1t would scarcely be fair in this let
ter to entirely taboo the guardian Of the
cattle. He is a type peculiar to the
country, rollicking, fighting, swagger-
ing fearing nothing 1t is free and
easy, happy. demOralizin life, said
my friend, the cowboy, to me when we
were talking it over. "There are no
ties, no restraints. We can do jest as
we please, and nobody cares Sometimes
git tired Of it all and think I'll try
some other trade, but till ye've tried it
ye don't know the pleasure of sleepin in
the shadow of the Rockies, ON the
ground, under the stars and with a
twinkle in his eyes added, "nor the
fun of shootin out lights either. "
Last year the stock and dairy inter
ests of Colorado amounted to $56, 600,
600, and it might easily double that
amount, considering its natural advan-
tages. Moreover. Colorado promises to
become the horse breeding state of the
Union. Why? Because of its climatic
conditions, its feed and it's hills. Let
me explain. 4 perfect horse must pos
eess q lung development that renders the
animal impervious to lung diseases and
short wind. Colorado's high altitude
secures this development A horse must
have feed which will develop bone,
muscle and sinew equally. There is a
grass growing on tie Colorado nesas
called gramma grass. which bears
head filed with small seeds. and when
ripened retains all it's juices in it's dried
stems and leaves in a condensed form.
This is claimed to be the most perfect
food yet discovered for the horse The
hills over which the Colorado horse
roams insure him absolutely perfect de-
velopment Of hoof and leg
The same conditions apply to sheep
growing. PHILIP T. RANKIN.