476 BUFFALO LAND. 



upon the stalk, and, though very minute, is exceedingly nu- 

 tritious. 



" In so far as the relative advantages of different portions 

 of this wide region may be thought by many to preponderate 

 over one another, we do not appreciate them at all, but would 

 as soon risk a herd in the valley of the Upper Missouri, the 

 Yellowstone, or the Saskachewan, as along the Arkansas, the 

 Canadian, or Red River. If any difference, the grass is better 

 north than south. One year the winter may be more severe in 

 the extreme north ; the next it may be equally so in the south ; 

 and the third it may be most inclement midway between the two 

 extremes ; or, what is more common, the severe storms and 

 heavy snows may follow irregular streaks across the country 

 at various points. There are local causes and effects to be con- 

 sidered, such as permanently affect certain localities favorably 

 or the contrary. For instance, nearer the western border of 

 the plains there is less high wind, because the lofty mountain 

 ranges form a shelter or wind breaker. Of local advantages, 

 detached ranges of mountains, hills, or broken land, timber, 

 brush, and deep ravines or stream-beds are the most im- 

 portant in furnishing shelter, and, as a general thing, better 

 and always more varied pasture ground. 



" There is never rain upon the middle and northern plains 

 during the winter months. When snow comes it is always 

 dry, and never freezes to stock. The reverse is the case in the 

 Northern and Middle States, where winter storms often begin 

 with rain, which is followed by snow, and conclude with 

 piercing wind and exceeding cold. Stock men can readily 

 appreciate the effect of such weather upon stock exposed to its 

 influence. 



" The soil of the plains is very much the same every- 



