Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-29
FENCING OF PUBLIC LANDS.
Occupancy Of, Western Cattle Range
Governed by Water Supply.

In Water Supply Paper No. 70. just issued
by the geological survey. DR.. George I.
Adams discusses the problems connected
with the occupancy of the range and the
conditions which have led up to the trou-
bles concerning illegal fencing.
The area discussed lies In eastern Wyo-
ming, in that portion Of the semf-arid region
Of the great plains plateau which has pre-
sented peculiar and difficult problems to
those who have attempted to settle it and
utilize its natural resources. The country
Is best adapted to grazing. Experience has
shown that crops can be grown without the
aid of irrigation only in exceptional years
or IN favored localities In the absence Of
irriga ton enterprises the lands were left to
the use of ranchmen, who, enjoying the ad-
vantage of a wide and free range were
able to depend upon the grass and the linn
tied natural meadows for the support OF
their herds. In the earlier days Of Occu-
pancy the lands for which titles were OBJ
tanned were practically only such as were
necessary for home and ranches. The loca-
lions were widely separated, and usually
were chosen relative to stream spring.
timber. natural meadow or shelter. On the
passing Of the 'desert-lands act" providing
for the sale Of lands reclaimed by irrigation,
new factor entered. The lands to which
water could be conducted lay along the
streams, and ownership of them brought
with 1t the exclusive use OF the streams for
the watering Of stock. In view Of the
crowding Of herds this privilege was very
desirable, since it made possible the con-
trolling of the range. The construction of
irrigation bitches presented no special diff
f1culties, and was largely done-by those in
terested in stock raising Many of the
bitches paralleled the streams, and the
water, not being easily conducted far from
the valleys, was carried as far as possible
along them In short time so much land
had been entered under the desert-lands act
that q rdnchman desiring n Sto oh
self was obliged to first find open water.
The lands irrigated consisted chiefly OF
natural meadows or fields of alfalfa. With
the exception Of the Platte river all the
available water was in a short time appro-
pr1ated, and In many cases bitches were
constructed which were never Of practical
benefit, except In obtaining titles to the
lands before the rulings by the general
land office required their actual reclama-
ton. The irrigation now being conducted
Is principally for the purpose Of raising hay
and forage. which is used as winter feed.
This permits Of much greater number of
cattle being grazed. since it reduces the
amount Of grass which must be reserved for
winter pasture.
With the taking UP Of the lands SO that
but little "open water remained t0,e
ranchmen were enabled to utilize ~. r rae
manning portion for grazing, and, having
maze mutual agreements. felt in measure
secure, and even ventured to fence public
lands which they wished to reserve for their
own use. Lately, the sinking Of deem wells
and the use Of windmilis and gasoline en-
gines for pumping has developed a new SIT
uation. The leasing Of small tract of
state lands OF the entry of public lanos and
the maintenance ofYa watering place in this
manner has enabled the ranchmen to es-
tabHsh themselves ndthe open range, and
the gradual egowdipg ia resulting in the
ddsappearaneeslof illegal fences. There is
little hope that the country will be thickly
settled except tin such localities as can be
irrigated. because of the fact that very
large tracts arefreqytred for grazing, a com
mon estimate being that twenty acres per
mead Is necessary for summer and winter
pasturage. Enterprises which are now be-
Ing promoted aee Jp accordance with the
Cary act Under 1tts provisions the land
must be actually reclaimed. and this is pos
sible with only 2 small percentage Of the
area. There Is at present feeling that
some arrangement should be made which
would insure the lrightful and exclusive use
OF the grazing landa Of the public domain.
and the questtep off the governments leas-
Ing them is receiving consideration In the
following discHssiorel the general character
OF the country. soil and rock formations.
grazing industry, surface features, water
supply, irrigation enterprises and settlement
and occupancy are reviewed and discussed