CHAPTER I. 

 THE EARLY WESTERN RANGE. 



From the time of the Pilgrim Fathers down to the 

 present day one of the greatest resources of the United 

 States has been the natural grasses and forage plants 

 upon which millions of domestic animals are annually 

 supported. Owing to the nature of the grasses and herb- 

 age, the business of the grazier was not developed in the 

 eastern portion of the United States to the same ex- 

 tent as in the states lying west of the Missouri River. 



The climatic conditions in the eastern states made it 

 impossible to utilize the grasses all the year round, ex- 

 cept by harvesting them and storing the crop away for 

 winter use. 



In the more arid sections west of the Missouri, known 

 as the region of the Great American Desert, are found 

 grasses that cure on the ground in the pure dry air, while 

 a shortage of rainfall allows them to lie on the ground 

 without serious deterioration. Here in this desert coun- 

 try are also found the great family of the sages and 

 many other forage plants of more or less value known 

 as "browse" the "cha-mi-za" of the Spanish herders. 



Early Events. As early as 1800, before the tide of 

 settlers had crossed the summit of the Alleghanies, the 

 Spanish had established themselves on the far west 

 coast from San Diego north, and their herds of cattle, 



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