But these, on account of the extreme wildness of the broken country, were limited to the comparatively open Grass Valley and its adjacent environs.
Naturally, as the inhabitants increased and stock raising grew in proportion the grazing and water rights became matters of extreme importance.

Sheepmen ran their flocks up on the Rim in summer time and down into the Basin in winter time.

A sheepman could throw a few thousand sheep round a cattleman's ranch and ruin him.

The range was free.

It was as fair for sheepmen to graze their herds anywhere as it was for cattlemen.