198 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



inches thick last winter; but during the three previous winters 

 that he has been on the Reserve it did not average over three inches 

 in thickness. 



The snowfall in a season is light, and it usually melts as fast 

 as it falls. Two or three inches is about the limit, and that which 

 falls seldom remains more than two or three days. It seldom 

 snows before January, and the severest storms come from the 

 northwest. New grass appears about the ist of April, and by 

 the I St of May grazing is good, and continues so until August, 

 when it becomes dry. 



With July comes the first hot weather, and it continues for 

 eight weeks. The mercury at times reaches ii8°, with a very 

 slight degree of humidity. During this period the cattle feed on 

 the slopes and tops of the mountains, where there is usually a 

 breeze. 



There is no excessive rainy season in this region. 



Labor, etc. — The work of enclosing the range could be carried 

 on at any time of the year. There would be only a few days in 

 winter wherein laborers could not work. During spring and sum- 

 mer it will be difficult to get teams from the immediate vicinity. 

 In the fall and winter all the teams necessary can be hired, with 

 drivers, at $3.00 per day. Daily labor costs $2.00 per day without 

 board, or $1.50 per day with board. 



In establishing this range everything possible should be done to 

 foster good feeling between the Government and the public. To 

 a large extent this may be done by giving employment to persons 

 living on or near the range. These people should be made to feel 

 that it is to their interest to watch over the animals in the range, 

 and report everything that should be brought to the attention of 

 the forester. 



Contracts for post-cutting and hauling, post-hole digging, haul- 

 ing the wire, etc., should be given to responsible white men and 

 Indians living near the range. At the time these men are hired 

 there should be an understanding with the employees to the effect 

 that as long as they live within reach should their services be 

 required at any time to fight fire or help in any other emergency 

 they are to do so without pay. They should be assured that their 

 employment in the future will depend largely upon the manner in 

 which they observe this agreement. Mr. Morrissey has an agree- 

 ment similar to this with the people living near him, and has sev- 

 eral times used it to good advantage. While it might seem advis- 

 able to pay for services of this character, a second thought will 

 at once convince one that it might also be unwise. 



