The silver star., 1899-08-25
a Glimpse at the Ad-
vantages Oferedin
Southwestern
Colorado.
THE seAveR CREEK SEC
TIoN As AN ILLUSTRATION.
oeod Pastures. Plenty o. Water. Rich soa
and Lees Of Il Makes the cppcr.
tun'tiss Equal to Any
h kaiesbncs.

~ great OcaI mas Deen said at dit.
ferent times about the cattle ranges
Of this section Of Colorado and some
attention has been called TO the ad-
vantages offered ID that line, but
the half has not yet been told and
at prcseht there are not one halfthe
cattle here, that the ranges would
easily furnish feed for. A few years
ago saw q much larger number Of
cattle on the ranges than now and
still there was feed to spare. This
season has been exceptionally dry,
yet the feed is abundant aud a larger
part Of it will never be touched.
One Of the sections ofthis Monte
suma) and Dolores counties that az
fofds splendid facilities for stock
raising is that part known as the
Beaver creek country. Not only
does it offer opportunities for stock
raisii g. but the opportunities for
tatining nrc also among TIE best
For the writer to name the nuube,
Of acres contained in the Beaver
creek section would be out of the
question, but standing upon one o.
the higheat peaks in that vicinity
and looking around it seemed almos.
without limit. Passing over hill
after hill takes one through numer-
ous parks with q continuous and
apparently endless growth Of grass.
studded here and there with count
less springs Of good water.
just bow long stock have been
grased upon this section is not for
the wtiter to say, as the Indian was
here when the white man came, but
each stccreding year brings an ad-
ditional supply ofgrass, all of which
has never been consumed in one
season. Large pastures have been
fenced that each season hold i'm.
mense herds Of cattle and horses.
Of course cattle cannot be SUCCESS.
fully held in. this section during the
winter, but for summer range It is
unexcclled. Some cattle do remain
there through the winter but unless
they are fed the loss through starv.
alton on account of the snow and
through the extra time II takes for
such cattle to regain strength and
fatten, makes II an unsuccessful
proposition, and inott Of the stock
are taken out in winter.
The: opportunities offered in the
Beaver creek section for stock-rais-
Ing are only an example Of those
existing over all this vast south
western country. Othet sections no
doubt equsl Il but certainly none
can sxcell, aud the writer refers par
tieularly 70 the Beaver creek coun.
Try only - . means Of illustrating
the advantages and resources Of the
entire district.
While the advantuges for stock.
raising ere ard always win Be great,
farming can be successfully carried
On In many ofthe parks and valleys.
This has been proven by Mr.. l.. A.
Thomas. who has made Considerable
pro9rtss In that line. He now has
! 6ne crop Of wheat aud oats grow.
lgg and has - Anc potatoes a. can
be faiSed In any country, all Of
whish have this yenf besn produced
withtut irrigation. Owing to de.
voting neat Vi h:s time to cattle his
cfups ate net latgc. but they show
that ein b. done, and he has large
ln,ount " land that has never had
! pIow ID Il that viii produce crops
equal 70 those now In.
Cthes paslies esc taking up Land