38 RANCHING IN THE CANADIAN WEST 



together and preventing their wandering too far 

 afield. It will be necessary to look more closely 

 after all calves that have just been weaned, allowing 

 them to graze within sight of the homestead during 

 fine days, when there is not too much snow, and 

 giving them as liberal a supply of hay as you can 

 afford on being brought into the shed at sunset. 

 This is where a good fenced field is very useful, as 

 they can be put there to graze without the constant 

 attention that herding entails. At the time of 

 putting up your hay (which will be dealt with later) 

 it is most important to allow for one ton to every 

 two animals, inclusive of your whole bunch, if you 

 wish to be on the safe side and ready for almost any 

 atmospheric visitation that winter can bring with it. 



It is generally believed on the prairie that a 

 plentiful supply of good water is of almost equal 

 importance to that of hay for the purpose of keeping 

 all stock in good condition ; and for this reason water 

 should be always accessible by so constructing the 

 corrals that they include a creek or slough at one 

 end, where a drink can be had at any time, as already 

 described in corral construction. 



By the advent of spring it will generally be found 

 that the cattle become weak, especially the cows 

 which are in calf. These latter should be looked 

 up every now and then, and their condition noted, 



