the ideal range country. Indeed, to the single factor of its limited water supply, perhaps, more than anything else is its va

ins are everywhere, but are separated in many places by wide valleys. The mountains not only make

igh plateaus and mountains of northern Arizona. If it freezes during the night the frost usually disappears the next day; and, if snow flies, it lies only on the mountains, but melts as fast as it falls in the valleys.

utritious grasses. Of all the native forage plants the gramma grass is the most abundant and best. It grows only

jubilant" and the "old cow smiles." Rain means even more to the ranchman than it does to the farmer. In an agricultural country it is expected that rain or snow will fall

mornings are usually clear. In the forenoon the clouds begin to gather and pile up in dark billowy masses that end in showers during the afternoon and evening. But not every rain cloud brings rain. Clouds of this character often look very threatening, but all their display of thunder and lightning is only bluff and bluster and ends in a fizzle with no rain. After such a demonstration

ng which time the brazen sky refuses to yield one drop of moisture either of dew or rain to the parched and thirsty earth. Even the

he maps, and that exists in fact, is the diminution and often complete disappearance of a stream after it leaves the mountains. If not wholly lost upon entering the valley th

depth. Occasionally a hidden fountain is struck by digging, but it is only by the merest chance. Wells have been dug to great depths in perfectly dry grou

ere and there at long intervals is such a spring found, and it is always a desirable and valuable property. It makes an oasis in the desert that is an agreeable change from the surrounding

is range becoming over stocked with stray cattle. His water right gives him undisputed control of the adjacent rang

tificial means for irrigation. Even then a large portion of the land will be worthless for any other purpose than grazing, a

can support there is bound to be some loss. In stocking a range an estimate should be made of its carrying capacity in a bad year rather than in a

an live without water and is thus able to keep his hold on the desert. The only way to get rid of him is to kill him, which is usually done by the wholesale with poison. His flesh is fine eating, which the Navajo k

ion in the glass and takes it for an intruder. In an instant he is ready for a fight and pounces upon his supposed enemy to kill or drive him away. While the prairie dog is thus engaged wrestling with his shadow or reflection the hunter shoots him at close range wi

er south. What little tree growth there is on the desert is stunted and supplies but scant shade. In the canons some large cottonwood, sycamore and walnut trees can be found; upon the foot hills the live oak and still higher up the mountain the pine. Cattle always seek the shade and if there are no trees they

sent time whatever grass there is must grow each year which, even in a favorable year, is never heavy. If the summer rains fail, no grass whatever can grow and the cattle are without feed. The grass about the springs and water holes is first to disappear and then the cattle must go farther and farther from water to find any grass. When cattle are compelled to travel over long distances in going from grass to water, they naturally grow thin from insufficient food and are worn o

to scatter. Until they become accustomed to the change they should be close

roach them on foot, in a moment after he is sighted every head is raised in surprise and alarm and the pedestrian is, indeed,

e roam and are the embodiment of bovine happiness and contentment. Scattered about in irregular groups they are seen at ease lying down or feeding, and frisking ab

an easy, deliberate walk one behind the other and may be seen coming and going in every direction. They make their trips with great r

t, where it lies down and remains perfectly quiet until the mother returns. I have many times while riding the range found calves thus secreted that could scarcely be aroused or frightened away, which be

ility and guards her charge carefully. The young calves are too weak to make the long trip to water and thus, thro

field or pasture lot of a few acres on the old home farm back east, that looked so large to boyish eyes in yea

Mr. F. W. Volz, who lives at Canon Diablo, an