THE BEEF SUPPLY 



then be rapidly growing into value and 

 ought to stand some years longer. Again, 

 the estimate is based on present prices, 

 whereas prices will no doubt advance a good 

 deal within 50 years. 



Our free pasture will lose still more by 

 the spread of thorough agriculture, which, 

 we are learning, is able to produce crops, 

 and that in very arid regions, largely irre- 

 spective of rainfall. It is sight of this be- 

 nign possibility which renders homestead- 

 ing so lively. 



Those interested in selling half-arid lands 

 ought not to herald them as valuable in pro- 

 portion to their fertility; because, to render 

 this fertility efficient involves a considerable 

 outlay an acre for labor and team power or 

 steam power. Spite of this, however, con- 

 servative critics pronounce it certain that 

 agriculture upon the levels in question can 

 be made profitable, and will, no doubt, in 

 time turn to its uses vast territory where 

 now cattle roam and browse. 



To all these methods by which the man 

 with the plow is slicing off the herder's 



159 



