34 NATIONAL FOREST, STATE, AND PRIVATE LANDS 



quate and the distance between watering places too remote for 

 the best utiHzation of the forage, the springs, instead of being 

 trampled into the ground as formerly, were protected, the water 

 was conducted into troughs, wells were dug or bored, windmills 

 were erected, and reservoirs and dams were constructed. Water 

 development was a particularly prominent feature in the Texas 

 leasing system, for in many locahties in that State the distances 

 between watering places were so great that it had not previously 

 been possible to utilize the forage. 



Increased Profits. — Larger profits were realized by the stock- 

 man under the lease plan than under the open-range system, 

 chiefly for three reasons: 



1. Improvement was made in the breed of stock, and the 

 annual increase in the offspring was larger. As soon as the 

 pastures were fenced there was apparent improvement in the 

 quahty of animals reared, especially of cattle and horses. Loss 

 due to straying was, of course, avoided, inferior males were 

 eUminated, and full use was made of the more desirable breeding 

 animals. It was possible also to maintain a correct balance 

 between males and females to insure a maximum armual in- 

 crease. 



2. Improved methods were employed in handling the stock 

 and at less cost than on the open range. The fence, of coufse, 

 made the herder unnecessary; and, as the stock was allowed to 

 graze undisturbed, the animals traveled less and made better 

 gains than when they were molested by a rider. Moreover, 

 rounding up the stock for branding and for marketing could be 

 done promptly and cheaply and with little disturbance to the 

 animals. 



3. Supplemental feeding and improved water facilities were 

 provided where practicable. Many lessees made a practice of 

 growing hay, Kafir corn, and other supplemental feeds. In this 

 way the number of stock maintained on a leasehold was some- 

 times doubled. Supplemental feeding could not, of course, be 

 practiced where the stock was not under control. As a result 

 of the development of water facilities and the freeing of the stock 

 from the necessity for excessive travel, better gains were made, 



