WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 969 



He concluded his remarks by saying: 



One reason why I am opposed to this scheme is that if carried out it will drive one 

 of the most important industries out of Fresno County. The sheep, cattle, and 

 stock industry brings nearly $1,000,000 into our county every year, and no man 

 can foretell the disastrous effects of its eradication. 



He was followed in much the same strain by seven other speakers, 

 sheep and cattle owners of past years, now largely owners of plain 

 lauds, and interested in irrigation. The point of Mr. Collins' objection is 

 emphasized by the fact that while Fresno County in 1880 was reported 

 as containing 750,000 sheep, the assessment rolls of 1891 give only 

 37S.621 of all kinds and ages. Even with the diminished number it is 

 still the richest county in sheep on the Pacific coast. And whereas 

 the laborer of Fresno in 1880 could eat mutton at 2J to 5 cents per 

 pound, that kind of meat retailed at Fresno in November, 1891, at 15 

 cents per pound. From this it can be seen that the virtual destruction 

 of the sheep interests of Fresno, by keeping up what all men having 

 practical knowledge on the subject declare to be a causeless scare and 

 unfounded prejudice, inflicts an injury to that county and to the entire 

 State. If the delusion spreads it will soon be transmitted to other 

 States having high mountain ranges and lauds requiring irrigation. 



In so far as a wise forecast would preserve timber growth for future 

 use, no public- spirited citizen will object to a settled Government 

 policy. Such a policy ought to be adopted in California with the least 

 possible delay. The rapid filling up of the plains with inhabitants and 

 subdivision of them into smaller ownerships wherever irrigation water 

 can be obtained points unerringly to the safety and permanency of in- 

 vestments in means to supply water and the certain enhancement in 

 value of accessible timber land. Capital accumulated by past success 

 in sheep husbandry is already being invested in irrigating ditches, reser- 

 voirs to retain the winter flow of water for summer use, in mills to saw 

 up the mountain pine, and flumes in which to float the lumber to the 

 towns and cities of the plains and to conduct the water for irrigation 

 purposes. Capital is combining for these purposes, and is also pur- 

 chasing timber lands on these mountains, and if Government is to act 

 in the matter for the sake of coming generations no time should be lost. 

 But if the statements unanimously made. to me by correspondents who 

 claim personal knowledge as to the influence of sheep-grazing in these 

 mountain ranges be true (and my own observation and experience sup- 

 port them), then keeping sheep off increases the danger of forest fires. 



The necessity of the grazing lands of the Sierra Nevada to the animal 

 industry of California is such at present that the action of Capt. 

 AYood's troop in driving sheep and cattle from the district which has 

 supported "about 90,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle through twenty-seven 

 summer seasons prior to 1891," will in all probability result in the de- 

 struction of double the number of sheep and cattle during 1892. Men 

 will retire from that line of labor rather than contend with such an 



