The Saturday News from Topeka, Kansas • 4

TIIE SANTA FE TRAIL, value of the ranch, horses, at the end of tho five yoars, which is a low estimate of tho money charged to expenses, which went for tho purchase of additional horses. The increase of cattlo has been reckoned at 85 per allowing 5 per cent, of loss from natural causes in young stock. The improvement in the stock bred from fine bulls has boon reckoned at 25 per cent. SHEEP, New Mexico has 10,000,000 sheep, and tho wool clip of that Torritory for 1882 is roported at pounds. These are largo figures, but are undoubtedly correct, or very nearly so.

What 1ms been said about the adaptation of the ranges of New Mexico, and the southwest generally, to cattle growing, applies now equally ns well. Wide ranges, an abundance of nutritious grassj good water and mild winters which admit of grazing on tho range tho year round, are just as valuable features of the country to the sheep-raiser as to the cattle-grower. We will quote again from Mr. Whigliam, as a practical stock-man and tho most competent witness that could bo producod. lie says: While tho cattlo business is generally regarded as attended with less risk and more certain in its results, many claim for sheep-raising a larger profit.

My observation, from fourteen years residence in New Mexico and Colorado, is that where it is desired to invest a largo capital without giving a close personal attention to tho business, cattlo would be preferable, but where a man desires to invest a small or inoderato capital in cither business and give it his whole time, more money and quicker returns would bo made by purchasing sheep. Tho annual wool clip is a timely, certain and good income to those who wish to invest the larger part of their capital at once. Tho present prices of sheep and wool are as follows local markets for its products and adding another sourco of wealth. Southwest Kansas is almost tho only region in tho West now left to small stock raisers. Elsewhere tho ranges aro monopolized and dominated by large companies or individual owners, whose herds if they do not grnzo on a thousand hills, at least number many thousand head.

There is no abatement to tho call for grazing land. Agencies of all kinds chief among them tho Railway Land Department have for six months past been making unprecedented sales of such lands, while it takes a man with an unusual aptness for figures to follow the increase in form animals in tho upper Arkansas. Sheep, cut-tie and hogs are wealth producers, and their increase is a substantial evidence of accumulating instincts on tho part of tho granger. From Abrahams time downward, it has been tho tendors of flocks and herds who havo waxed rich, and so wo are only living out tho experience of all past times. A more modern instance is found in the older Western States.

Take the history of two Illinois farmers, ono, say, who began with his plow and hoe, and has depended on his crops over since, and tho other who started with a few head of cattlo or other stock: which is now the rich man? Ho in Kansas is wealth increasing, and the suggestions of the Creator are being followed. lie made the western half of tho Htato one great pasture, whereon, in times gone by, countless millions of wild cattle roamed anil fed. And so tho largo corn crop of the State, albeit it ranks fourth in size in the country, will soon be estimated in respect of its capacity to FATTEN OUR STOCK. All things considered, no business yet developed shows a record of fewer failures than cattle raising, mid not many a greater profit. Sheep, when intelligently handled, coin money for their ownors, and for small capitalists aro a better investment than any other stock.

The rapid increase of theso animals in the State during the last two years is therefore an earnest of enduring prosperity. There are many people besides Kansans who rejoice at the rapidly increasing importance of tho State and its foremost position as an agricultural and grazing region, and none more so, it is safe to say, than the sturdy New-Englunders who have contributed so much to tho development of this Western country. It must be a gratification indeed to tho men who upheld the Kansas flag when at least a half of the State was unpierced by railways, and tho rich country to tho west lay unproductive as it had lain since the great upheaval to witness so soon a vindication of their judgment, and a reward of their enterprise. While the growth of Kansas in the last ten yoars has been without precedent it is curious to note that the State has no board of immigration, nor does the government publish anything or employ any agents to attract immigration. All that is done to advertise Kansas is done by the railroads and by individuals.

This, on second thought, is not all. The crop returns gathered by the State Board of Agriculture do their part, and the estimates of the Census Bureau, showing the percentage, of increaso in the several states during tho last decade advertise Kansas, too. These bulletins tell without rhetorical adornment tho magic story of her growth and steady march to place and power among the commonwealths of that Union which she did so much to defend. They speak eloquontly, if silently, and the people hoar. G.

E. T. Common Mexican ewes, young 150 Common Mexican wethers 1 23 Graded Merino ewes, young 2 00 to 8 00 Graded wethers 2 00 to 3 00 It is difficult to give quotations of wool, as they are constantly varying; prices this year, however, have been from 15 cents per pound for the lowest grade of Mexican to 24 cents for tho choicest improved, unwashed. The wool clip varies from 2 to pounds on flocks of ewes and wethers. The general average in this county on all flocks would be 3i pounds.

The net increase of sheep is 80 per cent. turned loose on the range with those of other owners, andasuffleient number of men employed to guard tho outskirts of the range. No attempt at actual count is made, but, from year to year, tho owner arrives at the probable increase from tho number of calves ho brands at tho annual rounding-up of all tho cattle on the range in the spring, and at the rounding-up of beef cattle in the fU I. Tho cost of managing a herd of cattle by this system is small, but the loss from straying and stealing is necessarily considerable. The second method is that of close herding, where a sufficient number of men and horses are employed to keep the cattle within fixed boundaries, and to keep an accurato account of them.

It is the system adopted by many stock raisers who have come to the Territory from the Middle and Western States, and who prefer for the most part to own a better class of cnttle and occupy less range. Tho expense is comparatively small, and the loss much less than by the former method. Tho third system provides a wire-fence inclos-uro for tho cattlo, thus keeping them within fixed limits, and dispensing with tho services of several men and horses in caring for a largo herd. This system is comparatively a new ono, and was little employed until within the past two orthreo years, but so great are its advantages oyer the old methods that wo hear of wire fences being built on every side, inclosing from 10,000 to ucres. It is true that this system roquires a larger outlay of capital at the start, but this is more than compensated for in tho freedom from loss, it being no unusual thing for men with thousands of head of cattle in such an inclosuro to go through the year without tho loss of a single one.

Ten acres of land are usually allowed for each animal, and the cost of the fence ranges from $1-10 to $100 dollars per mile. In laying out a range, however, advantage can often bo taken of the mesa formations to secure a great deal of natural fence, thus making quite a saving in expense. Cedar posts, eight inches in diameter, are generally used, set twenty-five feet npart, with two smaller posts or stakes between to strengthen the wires. Three barbed wires are stretched upon these posts, eleven inches apart, tho bottom one eighteen inches from the ground. The cattlo within such an inclosuro are under the CONSTANT SUPERVISION of the herder, the fence being ridden every day.

In this way all losses from stealing and straying are avoided, and better care can bo taken of the stock than where it is allowed to run at large. A separate inclosure is often provided for the calves, into which they are turned when of suitable age to bo weaned, thus relieving the cows of their care until they are from a year to eighteen months old, ns is the case where they are allowed to run together. The cows are also kept in much better condition in this way. Mr. Charles Goodnight, ono of the best known stockmen in the Southwest, favors fencing, and says he thinks the advantage from that method amounts to $2 per head per annum.

About two years ago Messrs. Calhoun Edge inclosed within a wire fence 64,000 acres of land near the Staked Plains. This was classed as desert land, and was without living; water, though tho grass was excellent. By digging wells and using wind-mills they obtained, at a trifling cost, an abundant supply of water for tho stock, which flourished finely, none having been lost during that time. Their enterprise was watched with a great deal of interest by other stockmen, and now that they have proven by actual experiment that such land can be made -available for pasturage, their example is being followed by others.

Another company has fenced a quarter of a million acres, and the day is not far distant when all the best land in that section will be fenced. They have also laid before the General Government a paper setting forth the desirability of selling such land for grazing purposes at a nominal price in order that stockmen may obtain a title to their ranges, and some action will doubtless be taken upon the matter by Congress at an early day. But meanwhile cattle-men will occupy and fence these lands, trusting that whatever the result may be, it will be such that they can afford to avail themselves of it. and in case no action is taken, they will have their ranges secured. Too much credit cannot be given these gentlemen for the steps they have taken in opening up and developing this section of country.

Although in tho stock business tho profits are enormous, it would not be advisable for a person to engage in an independent business with a less capital than $5,000, while, with a largo herd and more money invested, tho profits increase much more rapidly and the expenses are not correspondingly large, especially in a fenced inclosure. PROFITS OF CATTLE RAISING. The following statement by Commissioner of Immigration "Whigliam, of Colfax county, one of the best for stock raising, is valuable in this connection: The principal industry of the county at present is raising cattle and sheep. The grazing lands of Colfax county are justly celebrated, and no business has proved a more lucrative one here than stock raising. The following table will not be out of place, as not only giving an estimate of the profits in the cattle business here and it is indorsed by cattle-men hereabouts as a fair exhibit but will also give current prices of common stock, with which it starts, and the price of the improved also.

Let us say tho stock raiser makes a purchase in September of a herd composed of the following grade and class: CAPITAL INVESTED IN STOCK. Stock Raising in the Southwest. Stock raising in the Southwest, by which is meant southwestern Kansas, southern Colorado, Now Mexico and portions of Arizona, is proving ono of the most profitable classes of investment. Capital has already discovered this fact, and is flowing in thnt direction in large volume. English capital is earning larger dividends on our southwestern prairies than British colonial monopolies ever paid, and nothing sells more readily in the English markets than American ranch property.

It is easier now to soil a ranch than to sell a mine. The mine 1ms a speculative value, and while judicious investments in that direction, coupled with economical development, pay large profits, the purchaser of a rancli may estimate the actual value of his property as closely ns if it were in bank notes. Not even agriculture has less of the speculative element in it. Kansas, of the territory named, is the best Held for men with small capital, whether sheep or cattle bo chosen for investment, but the conditions of success in theso various localities do not differ materially. The Atchison, Topeka Santa Fo Kail road Company has a million and a half acres of choice grazing land for sale in southwestern Kansas, and stock raisers who wish to own their ranges will find these the best and cheapest lands in the market for this purpose.

The Alhuouerquo (New Mexico) Journal recently published a long article on cattle growing in tliat Territory. Every county in New Mexico contains broad ranges of fine grazing land, and the following from the Journal is not local in its application: "Nature seems to have destined this Territory to become the center of the cattle trade of the future. Protected from the cold storms of winter by the Eaton Mountains on the north, and the Sierra Madres on the west, the country has a mean elevation of from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. The air is clear, dry and bracing, and fiarticularly favorable to the health of stock. The oss of cattle from disease is very light, as pleuropneumonia, Texas fever, blackleg and other diseases so common among cattle elsewhere are almost entirely unknown here, and whatever loss there is is almost entirely from natural causes.

The climate is mild and agreeable, presenting none of those extremes of heat and cold which have proved so destructive to stock in other sections, notably during the past winter. The temperature is remarkably even all the year round, averaging throughout the winter 00 at mid-day, and seldom falling below zero during the night, while the summer months are characterized by warm not hot days and cool nights. There is very little snow, exceptamongthemountains. The fall is always light, seldom more than three inches, and lasts but a few days, never covering the ground to such a depth as to prevent the cattle from grazing and thereby causing immenso losses from starvation. The cattle never require to bo housed or fed at any season of tho year, a fact which commends itself abroad to the cattle raiser.

TIIE MOST ABUNDANT lASTURAOE, in winter as well as summer, is found throughout the Territory, the immenso mesas or table-lands and plains being covered with rich, luxuriant grasses, and even upon the mountain slopes there is ample grazing. The principal varieties of grnss are the buffalo, gramma, and mesquite. The two latter have great tenacity of life, and survive a succession or dry seasons, springing into life and freshness, after a few showers, when they are to all appearances dead. A peculiarity of these grasses is, that they do not die down to the roots, but at any time during the winter a small green portion may bo found at the base of the blade, ready to push up at tho first appearance of warmth and moisture. These grasses cure themselves standing, and furnish the most nutritious kind of subsistence for cattle, steers fattening upon them in winter so ns to rival, in plumpness and tenderness of flesh, tho stall-fed cattle of the States.

Tho rainy season come3 in July and August, when the ground is moistened by almost daily showers, and there are occasional rains in September and October. This produces an excellent crop of grass to be cured for tho winter. The grade of cattle originally consisted almost entirely of Texas cattle, but this is being rapidly improved by the introduction of blooded bulls. Experience has shown that the most profitable herd to commence with is Texas cows and high-grade bulls, rather than with blooded stock, as tho Former can be bought at a much lower rate, and hence a larger herd obtained for the same amount of capital. The offspring from the first cross of a Texas cow and a high-grade bull is nearly equal in beef-producing qualities to the three-fourths or seven-eighths blooded cattle, the improvement in tho first cross being more marked than afterwards.

The cows from such a cross are more hearty, better rustlers, and will raise more calves, while the improved steers bring a better price in tho markets one dollar more per hundred weight being paid in Kansas City last year for improved stock than for Texas cattle and here it should be noted that New Mexico cattle COMMAND GOOD PRICES in tho market. By removing from a herd the older and poorer cows, and replacing them with young heifers of improved stock, and replacing the bulls from time to time, not because they have become useless, but to prevent deterioration by breeding in and in, tho value of a herd will be largely increased, and the profits in proportion. The high-grade bulls used are principally Shorthorns, Ilerefords, and Devons. The former are the favorites with most herders on account of the large size and early maturity of the steers, though they may not perhaps make as fine beef as the Ilerefords. Attention has been called of late to tho Polled Angus, which are said to hold their own with the best families of Shorthorns, which they rival in size.

They are said to be as economical beef producers, quick feeders, of gentle disposition, and easily handled. Another point in their favor is that there is no damage to cattle on tbe car from horns, from $5 to $10 per car being the usual allowance for damage from this cause. It is a question, however, whether it will not be too expensive to introduce them where there are already so many horned cattle. The principal markets for New Mexico cattle have been Denver, Kansas City, and Chicago. Tho building of railroads throughout the Territory has not only increased tho facilities for reaching these markets, but with the completion of the Atlantic Pacific a new center of trado is opened in San Francisco.

Stockmen, however, need not move a hoof from the range, as buyers are sent out by the leading houses, who are ever ready to purchase cattle at the highest market price. Another great advantage in this business is, that cattle command cash prices; there is no time asked or given, but tbe money is forthcoming when the cattle are delivered. THREE METHODS OF RAISING STOCK are in vogue. First, loose hording, which is tho systom of the Texas frontier, and is largely practiced by those stockmen who have emigrated to tho Territory from that State. Tho cattle are Western Whispers.

There are fifty paying mines around Animas Forks and Mineral Point in tho San Juan. It is predicted that the Quartz Greek district, Gunnison county, will add over a million to the. Colorado output of gold and silver bullion this year. Crested Butte Republican, February 14: "The Colorado Coal and Iron Company is making more coko than heretofore, and yet find difficulty in keeping, up with their orders. They will have some two hundred and fifty ovens in operation by next Fourth of July at Crested Butte.

The present indications are that at least six hundred ovens will bo in operation hero bv that time. Two companies besides the Colorado Coal and Iron Company will build hero. The St. Louis Age of Steel aaya: The Durango Tin Mining Company, of St. Louis, report that their machinery has arrived at Durango, Colorado.

Their smelters aro also up and ready for the placing of tho machinery, and 100 tons of ore aro now on their dumps, llenry Winninghaff, the companys superintendent, wrote early in January that he had shipped a ton of tin ore to this city, which, for richness, would astonish the world, llie ore is expected daily. Analyses of the companys ore, mado in this city soveral months ago, showed 75 per cent, of tin." Spring Prospects in Kansas. Correspondence of the Boston Advertiser. Topeka, Jan. 18, 1883.

It is now possible to estimate with considerable accuracy the condition and prospects of our fall crops. The unprecedented wheat yield of last year has not increased tho acreage of that grain, as it might have been expected to do. This is a favorable outlook, indicating that Kansas farmers are depending less on a single crop than hitherto. It took the farmer of the far Northwest four years to discover the unwisdom of such husbandry. Experience, though the best teacher, as the proverb alleges, is a slow one at least, it proved such in the north, where numerous crop failures were necessary to point the truth that safety lay in a mid-course; in other words, that diversified farming was the best guaranty of a certain prosperity.

Special disasters sometimes destroy one crop; it seldom happens that they overtake all. Look the United States through, and wo shall find tho wealty centers of agricultural population in localities where a variety in crops and stock is raised. Yet, although economical no less than scientific reasons forbid so unstable a dependence, it takes years to convince some men of the wisdom of not staking their all on a single resource. Tho is a gambler in this matter, playing recklessly. When seasons are propitious, the profits of wheat growing are excessive.

Here in Kansas it often happens that enough is cleared on a single harvest of this grain to pay for the cost of the land it is raised on. I suppose there have been scores of such experiences this year. A number havo come to my notice. And who will resist the fascination of being lifted in a single year from the strife of a possible existence to what is a competence to a man of modest desires? But it is demoralizing to a community. Therefore it presages well for Kansas that 1883 does not find the farmers concentrating all their means and care on the culture of wheat alone.

Predictions were mado that the acreage would probably bo increased by tho large yield of the past season. Nothing turns TIIE TIDE OF IMMIGRATION quicker or diverts the channel of form work sooner, than such a harvest as we have just had, which produced an aggregate of 35, (XX), 000 bushels, or an average of over twenty-threo bushels to the acre, lienee there was reason as well as prophecy in these vaticinations. Events, however, have vindicated the Biglow judgment or was it somo other philosophers? and proved the prophets wrong. The biennial report of the State Board of Agriculture is not yet issued, but it will show an acreage twenty per cent, less than in 1882. In Arkansas valley counties the district tributary to the A.

T. F. K. R. there is a decrease of only three per which, all things considered, is a more favorable report than the other, since the farmers in this pnrt of the State have never grown more wheat than they could manage, ana never, with few exceptions, to tho exclusion of other crops.

There is a somewhat increased acreage under rye, and the condition of both crops so far as it may bo judged at this time is excellent. The Land Commissioner of the Santa Fe assures me that here again the Arkansas valley counties have an excess acreage over other parts of the State. A pleasing prospect, certainly, to the eastern owners of that great road. As to other crops, there are no means of knowing wliat will bo planted in the spring. An increased area of corn is probable.

And after all, it is corn that makes tho farmer rich. It is his gold and his king. Let a man stick to wheat long enough, he becomes a poor man, but his cornfield is A NEVER-FAILING BANK. Last year 4, 500, (XX) acres planted to this crop yielded 160,000,000 bushels. It would bo impossible to over-estimate the importance of such a product to tho State.

One hundred and sixty million bushels of corn means fat cattle, fat hogs, fat purses, and any number of new dresses for the children. The growth of tho stock interest is a splendid evidence of the advance Kansas is making. With a large farming population, producing for more than can be consumed in the State, it is now devoted more than ever to tho raising of sheep and cattle, thus affording further 150 young cows and calves, at $15 $2,250 00 100 two-year-old hollers, at $12 1,200 00 100 two-year-old Bteers, at $12 1,200 00 75 yearling heifers, at $7 625 00 75 ycarliug steers, at $7 525 00 10 high-grade bulls, at $75 750 00 $6,450 00 CAPITAL INVESTED IN RANCH, ETC. Ranch, corrals, etc $250 00 Horses and equipments 250 00 Agents of the Company. Books, pamphlets, maps, papers, coutainiug descriptive and statistical information, will bo furnished fire, on application, either in person or by mail, to any of tho agents of tho Atchison, Topeka A Santa Fo Railroad Company named below.

Applications may be mado to them for any desired information in regard to freight or passenger rates, tickets, checking of baggage, etc. Any person or persons proposing to organise parties for the West will be visited, if desired, by one of the Companys traveling agents. W. L. Malcom, Gen.

Eastern Agont 419 Broadway, N. Y. Henry Faunum, Trav. Pass. 419 Broadway, N.

Y. S. W. Manning, New Eng. Washington Boston.

J. W. Donald, Trav. Agent 197 Washington Boston. II.

L. Cargill, Canadian Agent. ..24 York Toronto, Can. J. O.

PiiillipiI, General Agent 54 Clark Chicago, 111. W. II. IIolabird, Traveling Clark Chicago, 111, N. T.

Spoor, General 820 St. Louis, Mo. N. A. Dane, Passenger Exchange Buffalo, N.

Y. G. W. Panohorn, Pass. 4th Pittsburgh, Pa.

A. E. Lippincott, So. Pass. Main Louisville, Ky.

and 38 Arcade, Cincinnati, Ohio. F. T. IIendhy, Passenger Agont. ..71 W.

Maryland Indianapolis, Ind. M. Osgood, Passenger Agent cor. 1st ave. and 3d Cellar Rapids, la.

C. D. PalmeHj Texas Pass. IClin Dallas, Tex. D.

W. Hitchcock, G. W. P. Montgomery Sun Francisco, Cal.

W. II. Mead, Trav. Montgomery San Francisco. Tiieo.

F. Brown, General Agent Denver, Col. Ciias. T. Parsons, Colorado Passenger Col.

Ciias. II. Wood, General Agent Kansas City, Mo H. E. MosS, Passenger and Land Agent Kansas City, Mo.

W. R. Peabody, General Agont Atchison, Kas. J. Jannky, Western Traveling Agont Topeka, Kas.

8. Nugent Townsend, English Agent. ..62 llolborn Viaduct, London, E. England. John L.

Truslow, General Traveling Agent. Kas. W. F. White, General Pass, and Ticket Agt Topeka, Kas.

$100 00 SUMMARY ACCOUNT FOR FIVE YEAfiS. $24,002 00 Capital invested 6,950 00 Profit in five years $17,052 00 In tho above table we have added $500 to tho.