The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-01-26
STOCK RAISING.
Veteran Stock Man Speaks of tho In
dustry in the Aberdeen Land District.


dustry in the a borden Land District.
OF the South Dakota Sheep Breeders
Association, for the Aberdeen Daily Newsl
The stock industry Of the Aberdeen
land district, comprising the counties
Of Brown, Edmunds, Mcpherson
Campbell and Walworth, is destined
at no distant day to become one Of
the leading features of the agrcultur-
alist. During the past four years the
raising Of cutie, sheep and horses has
made great progress, and the fact has
| been clearly demonstrated that the
general health Of stock IS most excel
lent while the question of feeding,
both on the range and fatteniug for
market, IN be done cheaper and better
th,n in most of the localities east and
south of lis.
In the western counties Of Ed
munds, Mcpherson, Walworth and
Campbell, which are intersected with
ranges Of hills, there is an abundance
of grass and hay, and land not we'll
adapted to cultivation, but which
affords superior quality OF grasses
and an abundance of hay for the
cutting.
The question Of the time that stock
has to be led during the winter
months and the value of the land that
has to be used for pasture and the
pr, fo If raising stock. We are con-
This rough land is generally govern
ment land and will be free 20 use until
settled under the homestead law.
Owing to an abundance of better
lands, this is not likely to happen for
some years, and the abundance Of
grass aud hay on these free ranges
can be used with great profit.
TIE general idea Of the winters in
Dakota is that they are almost Il contin-
uous blizzard and unsuitable for man
or beast. The fact is that the winter
weather of the Dakotas is we'll
suited to stock raising. While the
thermometer frequently runs below
zero. yet there is an average of six
days in the week OF bright sunshine,
and but very little snow.
Under these conditions cattle and
all stock range on the prairies SIX days
out OF every week and need but little
il any feed to keep them in fine condi-
ton
The grasses that cover these prai-
ries, more especially the rough land,
consist largely of the buffalo grass,
which cures on the ground during the
months OF September, October aud
November and is not injured by frost
or snow and contains very nutritious
qualities aud has proved the best Of
iced for stock.
Practical ex perience has demOnstrat
ed that all kinds OF stock thrive on
this grass aud it is not necessary to
wait for new grass in the spring he.
fore trusting stock to get their own
living. The moment the ground is
clear of snow the stock thrive and gain
.On the old grass that has lain on the
ground all winter. The question of
hay is simple one. that of cutting it.
The slough and meadow lands that
are covered by water in the spring dry
out bv July and August. and a heavy
growth Of grass can he cut and har-
vested. There being no rainfall
through the winter enables stock to
keep dry and therefore to stand a
great degree Of cold without dscom-
fort.
The question Of shelter and cost Of
same Is one easily solved. Barns
with the walls built of sod or stone and
we'll thatched with hay or straw are
sufficient shelter If parties lack means
to build better, and the absence Of
rams during the cold weather makes
them comfortable for stock. THIS
article pretains to general ranching
and stock raising and not to the feed
ing of stock for market AS fat cattle,
although large portion Of the cattle
ranged through the summer on the
lands spoken of are we'll fitted fer
butcher stock ia September, October
and November.