El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-01-12

conditions a matter Of general interest.
The year just closed was a remark
able one In many respects, many Sec
tons suffering from lack Of precipi-
tation, while others had an unusual
quantity, and there was consequently
some loss OF livestock. These losses,
where above normal, were in certain
sections, sometimes long strip Of
country having no rain and losing
heavily in livestock, while a few miles
on either side the ranges would be in
fair or good condition, and the stock
men suffer no unusual loss. The losses
also ran with the overstocked ranges.
The following partial reports will be
OF interest:
Sierra County.
The ranges OF Sierra county are In
fair condition for winter feed except in
some sections, where rain failed during
the past summer. strip Of country on
the west bank of the Rio Grande from
the Socorro county line all the way
through the county suffered severely,
and the heavy losses extended as far
TO the west as the eastern slopes of the
Black rang. Some of the stockmen on
the eastern side Of the Black range did
Salrly, considering that many OF the
ranges were heavily overstocked, but
about every animal between the Cuchll-
10 range and the river died. In other
parts OF the county the losses were not
so heavy, and where the ranges were
not overstocked the cattlemen came
through in good shape. Those on the
mountain ranges, and to the west OF the
Black range did very we'll, and their
ranges went into the winter in good
shape. There was close selling dur
ing the summer, and with plenty Of
room the stock remaining on the ranges
should come out of the winter In fair
shape.
SOcOrrO County.
The cattlemen of this county made
the season just closed In very fair
shape, but those OF the eastern end, and
down near the Rio Grande, suffered
some losses. There was not the usual
amount Of precipitation, but 1t did not
do as much damage as in other parts.
because of the fact that many of the
cattlemcn had been selling close for
several years While there was not as
much rain rs some would like there
will be no unusual losses during the
winter, because last season ones, twos
and threes were sold, and If there are
any steers or old cows on the ranges
now II Is because they could not be
found during deliveries in the summer.
1t Is expected that the cattle will go
through the winter in good shape, as
the winter came on with plenty OF feed
on the ranges for the cattle on them
The sheepmcn generally had a good
year although some OF them failed to
get good crops Of lambs. With the
shcepmen, as with the cattlemen, the
heavier losses were seemingly on the
eastern side OF the county. AS whole,
It was a good year for the sheepmen,
as the prices going up more than com
pensatod for their earlier losses, and
the losses were principally among those
neglectlng their herds or being caught
unprepared for their landings.
DOnn Ann County.
The ranges OF Dona Ana county did
not get their share OF rain during 1909,
and are not in as good condition as
they should be, and usually are, but
as the cattlemen had discounted the
season by getting rid Of everything
either old or in the steer class, they
Will go through the winter without any
but the expected losses.
Many Of the cattlemen of this county
are running smaller herds of a better
quality than formerly, and they are able
to give their cattle more attention,
which means lighter loss. More rain
would have been very acceptable. but as
It Is one or two rains during the win
ter to fiji the mountain water holes
and open new range VIII take them
through in good shape, and without loss
other than the expected from older
stock.
Luna County.
The stockmen OF Luna county are
complaining OF the condition OF the
ranges to a considerable extent, but as
they foresaw the present condition, and
during the summer disposed OF their
steers and old cows, they reduced their
range stock sufficiently TO carry them
through without unusual losses with
the ordinary winter to contend with.
If the ranges had gone into this win
ter with the crowding of cattle which
has marked a number Of the past win
tiers. heavy losses could be expected. but
with a reasonable number, and un-
touched grass awaiting the first precipi-
tation to open up, there is every reason
TO expect a good winter. The heavy
December snow was a great boon.
~nT Grant County. ~ o.; -
Grant county was rained on Gin
spots during the season of 1909, and
as result there Is good grass In spots,
but there is no expectation of any un-