CATTLE. 127 



where such conditions exist, recourse must be had to supplying water by Artesian wells, or 

 by wells from which a supply of water can be forced by some mechanical means, into pools 

 and tanks, such as the wind-mill for instance. Tanks or pools may be made in the ground for 

 this purpose by thorough puddling, and grouting the bottom so as to prevent leakage. Such 

 a pond must be sufficiently deep to counteract loss by evaporation. Cattle do not wander far 

 from the feeding grounds. In this respect they differ greatly from buffalos and wild horses, 

 and will die from want of water if it is not supplied, as they will not wander far in search 

 of it. A cattle range cannot therefore extend farther than about five miles from permanent 

 streams, unless water be supplied by wells. 



There should be means provided for the sheltering of stock during storms. Where 

 there are glouches, these may serve as a kind of protection, but where there are none, the best- 

 protected locality should be selected and planted with timber, that is adapted to the soil. 

 The Norway spruce and yellow pine will thrive in a dry soil, while the cotton wood, catalpa, 

 and other varieties will grow well where there is sufficient moisture for grass to 

 grow. Such a bed of trees must however be protected from the trampling of the cattle 

 until grown to a sufficient size not to be injured in this manner. The above varieties of 

 trees are quite hardy and will grow rapidly in soil to which they are adapted. The Indians 

 were formerly quite troublesome to cattle herders, by their depredations, but within a few 

 years, since being confined mainly to their reservations, this trouble has for the most part 

 ceased. 



Habits of Prairie Cattle. General Brisbin, in his little volume entitled &quot;The 

 Beef Bonanza,&quot; has given the following concerning the habits of prairie cattle, when herded 

 in large numbers: &quot; I visited the herds of the Plattes and made careful inquiry as to the 

 number of cattle, names of owners, and profits to be derived from cattle-breeding. 



On the Laramie plains I saw the finest cattle, and one herd in particular pleased me, a 

 drove of 1,500 cows, with 2,300 calves of various ages. First we came upon a few 

 stragglers, or warders, guarding the herd, who seemed to be sentinels over the calves. Next 

 we found families of two, four, and six. in groups, then bunches of a dozen, and lastly the 

 great body of the herd. The cows were Texas, bred to large Durham bulls, and the calves 

 bore strongly the impress of the male. Nearly all had thick necks, sturdy bodies, and 

 seemed very healthy. I saw one enormous bull, and near him a cow with three calves, one a 

 two-year-old, one a yearling, and one about two weeks old. It was a grand sight, this herd 

 of 1,500 cows, 50 bulls, and 2,300 calves. They were much scattered, covering the prairie 

 for miles, and seemed an endless mass of beef for one man to possess; yet I was told that 

 the gentleman who owned this herd had three larger ones. I saw a little calf just taking his 

 first steps on the prairie, and stopped to observe him. The cow ran away at my approach, 

 but immediately came back and stood resolutely and defiantly by her young; indeed, so 

 wicked did she look, that the driver whipped up his horses and got away as soon as possible. 

 These Texas cows are dangerous if approached too closely, and, from the fire in the beast s 

 eyes, I am sure she was going to charge. 



It is a study to observe the habits of the prairie cattle. They run in families like 

 buffalo, the cows keeping their calves with them sometimes until they are three or four years 

 old. It frequently happens that the mother has under her protection sons and daughters 

 larger than herself. The cow watches over her offspring, and when they disobey punishes 

 them with her horns, to which they tamely submit, like well-trained children. In the middle 

 of the day the cattle leave the high grounds and go to the river bottoms for water, and about 

 nightfall return to the high grounds. In traveling back and forth to the water they march 

 in single file, using the same paths as the buffalo, and, like them, wear deep ruts in the earth. 

 The cattle frequently go four and five miles to water, but, having slaked their thirst, nearly 

 always return to the same ground from which they started out.&quot; 



