, 1904-02-19

'NO~
supporting capacity of the lands. Not
only are the products of these irrigat-
ed lands generally made to contribute
directly to the support of the stock,
but it is forage secured and preserved
at a time when the open range fur
nishes an abundance. and fed out when
this resource is no longer adequate.
1t will be seen that instead of decreas-
ing the amount of stock in the state.
the establishment of homes and farms
ought to magnify the business in pro-
portion to the increased yield of the
lands, and that the profits ought to be
enlarged by reason of the decreased
perience these results or not depends
largely upon the way in which We use
our resources. A proper appreciation
of the native forage plants and a dis
eliminating, common-sense use of the
pasture lands of the state must govern
| us.
Probably it is true that the quality
inc kind of native forage is not identi.
cal with that of former years. since
some species are less able than others
to endure the heavy %pasturing. the
close cropping and the constant tramp,
ling to which they are subjected. In
over-irrigation and in otherwise meth
DDS in the application of water we
find other causes for the extinction of
some species. lndiscriminate flood
ing drives out many valuable grasses
which are replaced by rushes and
sedges. less valuable but for the fact
that the yield is enormously increased
above that of the unirrigated tracts
"If this extinction occurs in soils
in which other harder species do not
readily replace them it is a loss that
must ultimately seriously affect the to
tai forage unless it is met by
adequate counteracting influences.
How the range may be kept up to
It's old value is an important question
but how it may be improved is ever
more So"
Wyoming's record in 1903 in agricul
tural development was extraordinary
Applications were made for the right
to build 712 miles of irrigating canals
to reclaim 324 ,S07 acres of arid lands,
the work estimated at a cost of 81,
2SO. 552. Most of the work was accom-
plished. Several sites have been Sc
lected for reservoirs in this state by
the government, which. with Other
large irrigating enterprises, shows the
general desire that is rapidly spread
ing for agricultural lands in Wyoming
Crops were good in all parts of the
state and the m yield of hay
and the profit from this product has
left the farmer in a financial condition
to enable him to do still more extern
sive work.
Last year at Sheridan the industrial
convention held its meeting and thu
exhibits then shown by the farmer
has been secured for part of Wyo
ming's agricultural display at the
Worlds fair. where 2Ox91 feet have
been taken in the agricultural build
ing. This consists of stripped bundles
OF wheat to show the straw and also
hand-picked grains. There will be be
tween forty and fifty varieties O
wheat; forty varieties of barley; forty
of oats, besides native and forage
grasses, alfalfa and cultivated clovers
The fruit will be shown in jars, 30'
lots of apples and crabapples. Other
fruits will be sent on in season and al
so vegetables. Potatoes and vegeta
bles have already been packed fol
shipment and with the onions. wert
part Of the Sheridan exhibit. Wye
ming only secured $4,000 for its
Worlds fair display and this gives lit
tie opportunity for anything extensive
or ever an adequate exhibition of the
resources OF the state. Governor Chat
terton endeavored with others inter
ested in the states general develop
ment to get the $4,000 bounty appro
priation by the legislature transferred
this year to the Worlds fair appro
priation, but the influence against ii
was too strong.