OUR 18 eC De 
Central Texas is a semiarid region, and is naturally one of the best 
grazing or live-stock sections in the Southwest. The native grasses 
which, prior to 1875, were most abundant in variety and quantity have 
been to a great extent destroyed, so that the carrying capacity of the 
ranges has been greatly diminished, but there are enough grass roots 
left to make the restoration of the pastures to their former condition 
possible at comparatively small expense. The experiments at Abilene 
were undertaken to demonstrate the truth of this, statement, and the 
report of Mr. Bentley, special agent in immediate charge of the work, 
will be of more than ordinary interest, not only to stockmen of central 
Texas, but to all engaged in the cattle industry on the western ranges, 
as showing how the result in view was accomplished. What has here 
been done under Government direction may be done by individuals. 
In fact, the primary object of this report is to invite attention to the 
methods pursued and the actual results attained that all interested may 
take advantage of the experience acquired in the work. The results 
have demonstrated the practicability of reclaiming the worn-out ranges 
in central Texas, at least, within a reasonable time and expense. The 
land selected, which was a range below the average quality, was leased 
to the Department by Mr. C. W. Merchant for use in these experiments, 
and was fenced, in accordance with our directions, by the citizens of 
Abilene, and to this extent the work was cooperative with the people 
of that town. At the beginning of the experiments the carrying capa- 
city of the pasture selected was 40 head of mixed cattle to the section, 
or 1 to 16 acres. When the experiments were concluded on April 1, 
1901, the carrying capacity was estimated to be 100 head of mixed cat- 
tle for the 640 acres, or an increase of more than 100 per cent. The 
actual cost to the Department did not average more than 25 cents per 
acre per year, or 75 cents per acre for the three years. The rental of 
the 640 acres had doubled in actual value as the result of the three years’ 
experiments, or, we will say, had risen from $5 an acre in 1898 to $10 
an acre in 1901, giving a net increase of $4.25 per acre, or $2,720 for 
the section. 
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