The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 106, July 2002 - April, 2003 Page: 654

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

..." (p. 7). Themes are identified in the useful introduction, developed in the
unfootnoted text, and reinforced in the conclusion. The Interviews by the Au-
thor section of the bibliography testifies to Clayton's acquaintance with ranch
folk around the state, who doubtless felt at ease talking with one of their own.
An excellent glossary indicates that the language of the roundup and corral has
not changed appreciably over the years, and Meinzer's more than fifty black-
and-white photographs bring to life weathered, resolute ranch people, their ani-
mals and environment. An index and at least one map would have rounded out
an otherwise well-conceived, tastefully designed volume intended more for the
general reader than the scholar.
Clayton's grasp of the subject is obvious as he reveals regional variations in
ranching practices. Natural winter forage is typically abundant on the Coastal
Plain but often sparse in the Panhandle and West Texas, where supplemental
feeding is necessary. Animal diseases and parasites change with location, as does
carrying capacity. On the O'Connor Ranches around Victoria an adult cow can
be sustained on three to five acres; for parts of the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos,
the figures are thirty and sixty acres, respectively. Cowboys on South Texas
ranches, like the Alta Vista and Canales, use tapaderos (toe fenders), leather
chaps, and canvas jackets as protection from the thick brush. They also prefer a
single rein, whereas split reins prevail elsewhere.
Alongside the differences are economic constants. The unrelenting bottom
line often dictates generation of supplemental income. For a few operations, oil,
wool, and mohair production are important. For most, the leasing of hunting
rights is critical, and many owners are becoming more attuned to game and
habitat management. Reliance upon science and technology is increasing; thus
helicopters, brush-clearing chemicals, cell phones, and satellite marketing have
become essential. They do not, however, detract from a fundamental as old as
Texas ranching: attitude, for both ranchers and hands. If you don't enjoy the
challenge, advises a longtime South Texas ranch foreman, you'd better "find a
job in town" (p. 150).
Southwest Texas State Unzversity James A. Wilson
The Multi-Cultural Southwest: A Reader. Edited by Gabriel Melendez, M. Jane
Young, Patricia Moore, and Patrick Pynes. (Tucson: University of Arizona
Press, 2001. Pp. viii+294. Introduction. ISBN o-8165-2216-2. $24.95, pa-
per.)
The editors of this volume from the Department of American Studies at the
University of New Mexico participated in teaching an undergraduate course,
"Introduction to Southwest Studies," and perceived the need for a multicultural
reader on the Southwest. They have successfully addressed this need with a selec-
tion of published articles organized around seven themes. The editors include a
representative selection of both recognized authors such as novelist Rudolfo
Anaya, poet Joy Harjo, novelist and writer Barbara Kingsolver, poet Simon Ortiz,

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