Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-08-17
THE stock business of Montana has i'm

now firm and reliable and in a fair way to
grow better. A few years ago our supply
commenced to exceed home demand and
the consequent falling off in prices almost
paralyzed the business. Tt seemed as If
there was no bottom in fact no sale for
any kind Of stock at any price. This year
the indications are much beLter. Prices
generally rule low, but the market is firla,
and there is always ready Gale. There has
been q number of lots Oh. stock cattle chang
ing hands this year at from $40 to S12 Oh an
average, according to quality. While one
year ago, although these were the figures
= asked, remarkably few sales were made.
The present Indications are good for the
country. Il is pa5na tfacse evidence that con-
fidence is being restored. We aliude princi-
pally to the cattle trade. The cause Of the
past very unsettled condition OF this
branch of industry has been the doubts en-
tertained by some as to the market. But
the past few years has demonstrated that
beef can be raised in Montana and trans
ported to our Eastern cities, even with our
present tedious and announcement mode of
transit, cheaper than it can be raised in any
portion of the States, save Texas, and de-
: liverea there. And we can even compete
with Texas.
Another cause of the unsettled state of the
cattle business has been the high rate of in
tcrest prevailing III this country. Many of.
orr small dealers purchased during the days
of the gold excitement when prices were al
most fabulous, and some have been paying
two per cent. d month ON their investment
since that day. A large amount of this
class Of stock has depressed the market more
than 1t otherwise would have been. Then
there has been q large number who, only
having small herds, We're DESTROYS Of closing
out. Their limited means, and the low.
prices, would not justify their giving
it Their attention. Bat The bottom
has been reached. The Business is now up
ona solid foundation and will gradually i'm
prove. Meanwhile prices will advance.
steadily.
There IS also. an Increasing demand for
improved breeds and there are few Of our
stockfaen who arc not improving their
herds. The sales Of ~thoroughbreds are be-
coming more frequent, which is an evidence
Of the good feeling existing between beef
producers. tp fsf3
The pastures were never better taan4they
are this season; besides, our cattle men
lave learned one important truth, !. e., it
pays to keep stock back on the highland
parks during summer. and reserve the val
ieEs and low hills for winter grazing.
Tho cattle business having fallen into
fewer hands, and those being such as make
tia specially, better system will be intro
tlacca and more profits realized. Our cat
ie growers can now. figure with certainty
upon their Investment. And when we con
slider the prospect for q great increase iii the
demand for the home market, we feel great
" encouraged.
Illlr horse and mule trade remains about
the samesas it has for several years. Prices
Tor cosnmo cayuse ponies are low, but
when We consider the cost Of raising ETC.,
the protls is, perhaps, greater than can be
realized IN the beet trade. A good grade Of
horses are in demand. LII fact, there is no
country where SO much wogon transporta-
uon IS necessary that is 50 poorly stocked
with good teanls as Montana. The atrans-
porfation OF farm produce, quartz and mer-
cisandise will necessarily employ many ami
mails, besides the usual amount Of stock re-
quircd for farm use. Hence, we can readily
seetlaat a supply Of good horse and mule
teams is not likely to be had ut any very,
early period.
Much Of our common breed of horses are