ks and geese. A chicken can
rise on the wing and get away, but fat ducks and geese can be caught
before they can flap their wings three times. We will gradually build a
wire mesh fence and turn them out so they will be protected from the
coyotes and foxes."

After that Evelyn took a look at the dairy house. It had been built in
first-class style by an experienced dairyman, and was large enough to
manage the products of fifty cows if necessary, and Fred made the remark
that he hoped to some day have that many Jersey cows on hand.

"Sister," put in Terry, "it won't cost a dollar a month more out here to
keep a dozen milch cows than it would cost to keep a half dozen, for
they can feed on the grass all day long, and at the present season the
grass is very full of milk, and there are two of these cows whose yield
of milk is so abundant that it is necessary to milk them at noon."

"Brother," she asked, "how is the grass in the winter? Does it dry up
and turn brown like the grass in Colorado?"

"Yes, I believe it does; but the winters down here are at least two
months shorter then they are up in Colorado. We expect to cut several
hundred tons of hay while it is yet young and fresh and full of milk,
and feed that to the milch cows during the winter. The beef cattle on
the range can keep fat on the dry grass like those on all ranches do."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," replied Evelyn, "for by that means you
will have the abundant supply of milk that you are now getting."

She inspected every part of the dairy, particularly the arrangement for
keeping all of the utensils perfectly clean.

Then she returned to the house, when Fred invited her to come out to the
store.

"Why, goodness gracious!" she exclaimed. "Have you a store out here?"

"Yes; that building out there fronting on the wagon road is the store,
and it does a particularly good business with the ranchmen who drive
along the road."

"Well, well, well! What do you keep on sale there?"

"Oh, we've got an experienced salesman, who was raised in the business.
He sells everything in the dry goods line and groceries and patent
medicines. Of course, the dry goods are only such as ranchmen and
farmers' wives need. If you want silks and fancy ribbons you would have
to drive to Crabtree. Drummers come along nearly every day with samples
of goods their employers have for sale, so if you want anything
different from what we have in the store, you can order it through