YAMSI

by Hyde. Dayton O. ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1971

Yamsi is our tradition-bound, second-generation, working cattle ranch. . . . Six thousand acres of hard work and mismanaged emergencies,"" arid Oregon rancher Hyde, father of five, in addition to boosting his land and all that lies therein, bus a strong ecological bent. He deplores the profligate waste of land, road-happy solutions to the problem of providing recreation for an increasing population, the tragic misuse of pesticides. (Hyde himself has been responsible for restoring a marsh for bird habitation to control insects with considerable success.) But the main problem is retaining the land in the face of increasing costs: ""In my hands the decision that will keep (my children) on the land or send them scratching for survival in the cities."" Mr. Hyde's land and life are rewarding, and in his seasonal diary he logs achievements, tribulations and pleased observations: cattle feeding, driving, birthing, branding; wild and domestic animal personalities; great sweeps of sunlights and mists; family work and play. He also recalls early bloopers while learning the ranching business from his uncle, old timer winter tales, and traces of a free wild Indian life (his comments on Indian decimation and demoralization are oversimplistic and not quite current). A bit heavy on the hoof as to the glory of it all, but the plight of the small farmer/rancher is set down with spirit.

Pub Date: April 1, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1971

Categories: NONFICTION