298 DEVELOPMENT OF WATERING PLACES 



their weakened condition is reflected in the retarded growth of 

 the young stock and in the small, inferior calf crop. 



The question of water supply is a matter of pasture economics 

 which very largely determines the value of the forage crop, 

 regardless of its luxuriance of growth and palatability. 



NATURAL WATERING PLACES 



Springs. — " Springs " and " seeps " are a means of greatly 

 increasing the supply of water on range and pasture. The term 

 " spring " is here used to designate a natural outpour of ground 

 water which finds its way to the surface through some crevice 

 and produces a fairly steady flow. In contrast to this the " seep " 

 produces a small or intermittent flow, often forming merely a 

 wet place on hillside or flat. 



It is often possible to improve a spring for the watering of 

 livestock. Not uncommonly a spring may furnish a good flow 

 of water early in the season and then " go dry." This supply 

 may be made permanent by " digging out " the spring. If the 

 digging is continued to bedrock, the steadiest and largest flow 

 is usually obtained. The various openings of the spring should 

 be connected into a single channel. 



Cement is the best material to use in curbing or confining 

 the spring. Wood will last only a comparatively short time and 

 must be renewed every few years. Properly selected rocks, well 

 cemented together, last for an indefinite period. Such curbing 

 is invariably the cheapest in the long run. The amount of 

 material needed for cement curbing is small, the cost seldom 

 being more than that for lumber. 



If the flow from the spring is small, the surrounding earth is 

 often so badly trampled as to decrease the flow materially. 

 Accordingly it is always best to protect the spring by a sub- 

 stantial fence (Fig. 112). Moreover, the prevention of trampling 

 by stock protects the curbing and enhances the life of the spring. 



Seeps. — Here and there over the land area the ground water 

 slowly moves from higher to lower levels and ultimately reaches 

 some drainage outlet. This movement is known as " seepage." 

 A seep may be improved in much the same manner as a spring. 



