The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-09
CATTLE IN WESTERN KANSAS,

| Cattle raising has taken an unexpected
turn in this part of the state This in.
! creased desire TO engage in cattle pro-
| duction has been growing gradually, but
it has now assumed Widespread proper
| tons.
The short grass country is essentially
as well as naturally a grazing county. and
stock-rearing is productive and remun-
epative. We are too far from market 70
| raise cereals for commerce, even with
| abundant crops and good prices. A bushel
of grain shipped in the form of fat
steer is a far better producer than when
sent to the elevator, though 1t may be
rich and well graded.
With so many natural advantages IN
abundant range, nutritive grasses, excel
lent water and cheapness of winter feed,
cattle raising is attended with little ex-
pense and labor. Ordinary shelter is re-
quired for winter protection, and taking
the winter like the one past, stock -four
ished ON the range, with little feeding be-
ing done. But the natural advan tages
do not all enter into the reasons for en-
gagirg in cattle raising. Cattle rearing
beats farming when followed year after
year. in any country.
Many farmers are fencing In their Gull
tivated lands so as to allow a greater
freedom of the range TO cattle, and some
cattle raiSers are enclosing their pastures
with wire fences. The Zimmerman Hard
ware company during the few weeks past
has sold enough wire to enclose a town.
ship. Wire fencing is being done where
the owner of lands has the means to en-
close his range or farm
The increased acreage in alfalfa grow
ing is also an incentive to the enlarged
production of cattle; and the supply from
the overstocfzed ranges in the territories
being shipped 10 this section OF the state,
has given an opportunity to farmers and
cattle growers TO purchase good and well
bred cattle at fair prices
There are not many farmers who could
not care for from 80 to go head of cattle
above the number now on hand, and some
farmers Ia ye feed and range to provide
for 500 head.
The question of feed and range does not
enter into the question OF the enlarge
ment of the cattle production of western
Kansas. Farmers realize the Importance
OF the cattle industry, and many OF them
who would engage in stock raising wholly
have not the means TO make purchase for
a beginning, though we might say that
there are no farmers without a few head
OF cattle. During the years Of crop fail
uTes, many farmers who were obliged to
sell off their cattle in order TO provide
means Of living. and the returning evil
dence of the cattle industry augurs well
for the future welfare OF this part of the
state.
Another feature in the profitableness OF
cattle raising is the probable successful
growth Of alfalfa on the upIauds. Tx
periments on this line indicate that with
deep sub-soilang It viii prove a success:
and while IL may not be valuable as a
hay producer. IT would be excellent FOR
pasture and for factening OF stock.
A new era Is dawning on western Kan
sas. Cattle production means prosperity.
greater wealth and better means of liy-
ing. and with these come increased value |
o. lands and greater population.-Dodre
City Globe-Repubucan.