Coffee made a statement which is reproduced here relative to stock-raising, there being no better authority on the subject. It is full of interesting facts on other matters also:

Fifteen years ago most of the land north and west of White river was government land and free range through to Cheyenne river. In those days most ranchmen in northern Dawes county ran their herds on this range in the summer months and shipped them in the fall, except what they reserved to carry over for the next season and these they took home.

Much of this land known as "gumbo" produced the very best of grazing known as buffalo grass. This grass has unusual fattening qualities and is inferior only to grain.

All over this vast range are water holes which fill up from melting snow and spring rains and hold out the entire season.

At present all this land has been homesteaded, fenced, and much of it under cultivation, producing good crops when properly tilled. There are probably not more than one half as many cattle south of White river as formerly while north of the river the number is not much lessened, while the introduction of registered stock has greatly improved the quality.

Years ago many two year old steers were shipped in from Texas and New Mexico, these were kept until three or four years old then shipped to South Omaha and compared favorably wtih the grain fed cattle of like age.

But few cattle are shipped in except registered stock as most ranchmen aim to produce their own cattle and also to raise and husband enough feed to carry their stock over the winter regardless of weather. Dawes county has never been infested by any epidemic among cattle, horses or hogs. Alfalfa grows abundantly wherever it is sown in Dawes county and the seed produced here is a very high grade.