CHAPTER IX 



approximate estimate oe increase in stock on 

 the range in six years 



Cattle. 



It need hardly be said that absolutely trustworthy 

 figures to gauge the increase in a herd of a given 

 number of cattle, horses, and sheep, are humanly 

 impossible, unless an individual is gifted with the 

 power of foreseeing future events. 



A long list of losses could be put on record — from 

 causes which would astound the farmer of this 

 country, who has never been brought in contact 

 with the conditions prevailing on the plains — 'by a 

 recital of which I do not wish to discourage the 

 embryo stock-ranger in a new land ; but it is only 

 right to warn him of what he may expect, and so 

 put him on his guard. 



Hard winters — including the dreaded blizzard, 

 with big snowfall — ^wolves, electric storms, black 

 leg, anthrax, and various kinds of accident (not for- 

 getting two-year-old heifers getting in calf, and 



72 



