or metropolitan "business man "in the race for a seat in Congress, In proportion to their numbers, the ranchers of the Northwest have constituted a highly impressive class. Emerging from isolation to participate in the larger life of their commonwealths, they sometimes succeeded through a natural or acquired wisdom and eloquence, sometimes by virtue of a capacious wallet.
Not infrequently the rancher was a picturesque character and this fact, when it did not make him seem absurd, imparted a dramatic quality which appeals to large sections of the public.
It must not be forgotten that in recent years ranch life has come to be idealized and in consequence it has attracted men and women of superior attainments and culture. The city and college bred rancher, with splendid social, business, and family connections in the east, is not altogether a rarity, though of course he is the exceptional citizen on the sage plains as elsewhere.
Changes in social life of the ranchers. Important changes are taking place in the social life of the ranching population. A transition similar to the change from the sprawling, unscientific pioneer farming to the tight, efficient modern farming has occurred in the business of cattle raising and sheep raising on the plains. Winter feeding and careful breeding conserve the livestock and render the animals much more valuable than formerly. The "home ranch " or farm becomes correspondingly more important than the "out range "which once was all important. Re 294 ^
