PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARID REGION. 2] 
Though living water is not abundant, the country is partially supplied 
by scattered springs, that often feed little brooks whose waters never join 
the great rivers on their way to the sea, being able to run but a short 
distance from their fountains, when they spread among the sands to be 
reévaporated. These isolated springs and brooks will in many cases furnish 
the water necessary for the herds that feed on the grasses. When springs 
are not found wells may be sometimes dug, and where both springs and 
wells fail reservoirs may be constructed. Wherever grass grows water 
may be found or saved from the rains in sufticient quantities for all the 
herds that can live on the pasturage. 
PASTURAGE FARMS NEED SMALL TRACTS OF IRRIGABLE LAND. 
. 
The men engaged in stock raising need small areas of irrigable lands 
for gardens and fields where agricultural products can be raised for their 
own consumption, and where a store of grain and hay may be raised for 
their herds when pressed by the severe storms by which the country is 
sometimes visited. In many places the lone springs and streams are suffi- 
cient for these purposes. Another and larger source of water for the fertili- 
zation of the gardens and fields of the pasturage farms is found in the 
smaller branches and upper ramifications of the larger irrigating streams. 
These brooks can be used to better advantage for the pasturage farms as a 
supply of water for stock gardens and small fields than for farms where 
agriculture by irrigation is the only industry. The springs and brooks of 
the permanent drainage can be employed in making farms attractive and 
profitable where large herds may be raised in many great districts through- 
out the Rocky Mountain Region. 
The conditions under which these pasturage lands can be employed 
are worthy of consideration. 
THE FARM UNIT FOR PASTURAGE LANDS. 
The grass is so scanty that the herdsman must have a large area for 
the support of his stock. In general a quarter section of land alone is of 
no value to him; the pasturage it affords is entirely inadequate to the 
wants of a herd that the poorest man needs for his support. 
