HOW ELK MAY BE SAVED 267 



over the season of stress. It would be neces- 

 sary to arrange with the ranchmen for the hay 

 in summer, that they might have ample time to 

 drive their cattle over the Teton Pass, or make 

 other winter provision for them. It has been 

 claimed that the ranchmen demand of the State 

 excessive prices for hay. I was assured that 

 the price above named would be the limit of 

 demand, and surely, with the average ruling 

 price of hay elsewhere throughout the country 

 about eighteen dollars a ton, five dollars can- 

 not be characterized as excessive. Hay thus 

 purchased could be held in reserve for time of 

 need and would meet all requirements, but Wy- 

 oming has never put aside one ton of hay to 

 meet an emergency certain to arise. 



In my description of Jackson's Hole I re- 

 ferred to a marshy area supporting a good 

 growth of grass. This area contains about three 

 thousand acres and is easily good for at least 

 one ton of hay per acre. The greater part of 

 the marsh is owned by private individuals, but 

 it could be acquired by the State by reimburs- 

 ing the owners for the slight improvements they 

 have made upon it. The hay thus obtained 

 would cost the State very little and might be 

 held as a reserve to meet emergencies. 



While under normal and healthful conditions 



