380 ARID AGRICULTURE. 



the time may be long enough so the place has no 

 appearance of a water-course. A water spout or 

 "sudden melting of snow may show you how the 

 place happened to be there. Too often men 

 ignore both climatology and the force of gravi- 

 tation. 



A STOCK Distance from market is a secondary consid- 



eration. There must be water for stock and 

 man. Take into consideration the character of 

 the range. Is there range enough ? Is there 

 summer and winter range so stock may alternate 

 and give each section of grass an occasional rest ? 

 What is the character of the forage ? Is there 

 grass for cattle and horses or a variety of browse 

 for sheep ? Are there areas on this range cov- 

 ered with poison weeds which cannot be avoided 

 at seasons of the year when running stock on 

 them would occasion loss ? Are there forest 

 reservations, where pasture can be secured a part 

 of the year ? Are there school or other state 

 lands that can be leased ? Is the range an open 

 one and already fully occupied ? 



Take into consideration the arable land. 

 Are there native meadows which can be irrigated 

 for the production of winter feed? Are there 

 areas where more concentrated stock foods, like 

 grains, alfalfa, peas and root-crops can be raised 

 in sufficient amount ? 



In looking over all the advantages do not fail 

 to consider the "drawbacks." There may be im- 



