322 THE IERIOA TION A GE 



My proposition is that every ranchman shall grow feedstuffs for 

 his own cattle. This only can be done in regions subject to long 

 drouths by irrigation. He must keenly seek for water in his own 

 lands, and will seldom bs disappointed, or obtain a piece of land 

 large enough for his requirements on which there is water. Now, 

 just here to allay the impetuosity of the cattleman reader, if such 

 there be, who would say this is nonsense, impracticable and impos- 

 sible, likely with strong adjectives, I would remind him that it is no 

 new proposition, except in these semi-arid districts. Stockmen in all 

 more northern countries have to provide food for their stock for four 

 or six months every year; and these northern men make as much 

 money as the Texans do. It is true their farms are worked without 

 the aid of artificial irrigation, but their crops are uncertain, whereas 

 those grown in the districts of heat and drouth are certain and on the 

 same land two crops each year. In fact the cattle man is bound to 

 supply his stock with food when his lands refuse to yield the grass 

 necessary, if he will save himself from ruin. How is he to do that 

 unless he grows it on his own lands? Buy it, he may say. Then 

 why do the cattle lie dead of starvation? Simply because he cannot 

 buy it at any possible terms he could accept. It was somewhat dif- 

 ferent in years gone by when there was no fencing and the prairie 

 was open to all; cattle were at liberty to roam where they would in 

 equality with all other cattle and I suppose their fraternity was al- 

 most human, as the most cunning or strongest beast got the most 

 water and best grass, no matter whose brand he had; but now the 

 cattle are closely fenced in pastures where they must live as they can. 

 I write here only of the cold money loss to their owners if they die. 

 Nor will it answer the case to say let the farmer grow the feedstuffs 

 and we will buy what we want. There are important reasons against 

 this plan, which will be shown further on, but first let me say that in 

 such times as now exist the stockman is no longer master of the situ- 

 ation. "The tables are turned," and were there in this district 

 twenty farms such as I shall presently describe, the owners could 

 purchase all the cattle they could support at a low price and make 

 large profits by feeding them, whilst keeping their farms in thorough 

 condition. I think it will be allowed that most ranchmen like to en- 

 joy the profits of good seasons and make little preparations against 

 the bad ones, or if they do anything it is to increase the acres of their 

 holding rather than to improve what they already have. 



To preface description of the farm I may say that it was designed 

 to suit particular circumstances of place and purpose. In other situ- 

 ations cheaper and equally effective arrangements could be made. 

 These plans were not accepted by the owners, no doubt for good and 

 sufficient reasons. However, I hold the plan would have given a 



