Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-09-27

Montana that mas Il more promising OUTLOOK
than sheep husbandry. Seven years ago
there was scarcely 1000 head of sheep In the
Territory, and they were mostly wethers
driven in solely for mutton. Now, though
the business is but in its infancy, there are
at least $4,000 in the Territory, and our wool
product has taken. a prominent place in the
Eastern markets. The first flock of sheep
for wool growing was brought to Montana
in 1871, and, being free from scab or other
disease, they wintered well. This gave con-
tidence to. those who were looking In this
direction for investment, and in 1872 several
nocks were brought in. But this time the
results were not so good. The locks driven
in were mostly scabby, and owned by men
inexperienced in the business, and the con-
sequence was that fully fifty per cent.awere
lost the first winter. This had a bad influ-
cnce. Many who had implicit confidence in
the country as a sheep growing district
came to the conclusion that IL was difficult
to get a flock acclimated, and that Oregon
or California sheep could not b e.brought in.
without a sacrifice OF at least fifty per cent,
which deferred many from purchasing. But
as time wore on the sheep tattened, those
that were scabby became cured and remain
cd healthy, and all were unusually prolific,
which won tor the business all occasional
convert who was willing to take the risk.
In 1876 the importation was quite large,
and the industry gave promise of becoming
an important item in Montana's wealth.
IIn IL " N -, n r,o - n f1,n Ano1.c4 Jvs -, %lS.
season convinced the majority of those who
were giving attention to the subject that the
mortality in the flocks here the first winter
was owing to the lack of proper treatment,
and the past winter has thoroughly demon
strated this truth. Where men have under
stood the business and made the necessary
arrangements, they have brought their new
ly imported flocks through without losses,
while others have losses in proportion to
their degree Of negligence. I
The progress has been slow. First it was
demonstrated that Montana was a good
country for sheep when once acclimated,
then it was. demonstrated that healthy sheep
anuld be acclimated without loss, and now
it is satisfactorily proven that even the scab-
best of California sheep may be driven in
here aud wintered with but little or no loss.
OF the large number driven inthis fall it is
safe to calculate that the mortality will not
be greater than would have been sustained
had remained upon their native heath, That
our country has no equal in promoting the
health OF sheep, keeping them in good con-
dltion, and keeping them without expense,
has long been a conceded fact, and now that
there is no longer a question as to the accli-
nation of sheep, we may look for the indus
try to assume mammoth proportions in Il
few years, Our pastoral domain is almost
limitless, and is permanent, and our facili-
for exporting wool are good. t8e
1t does not require a mathematician to
figure up, the profits In this industry. Many
OF our flock masters'have paid two per cent.
on their Investment and flourishel, When
woolis worth 30 cents per pound in Boston,
and can be laid down there from Montana
for 5 Or 8 cents, and when our docks average
from 5 to 6 pounds per head, and the only
cost in maintaining them is the hire of a
shepherd to keep them together, it is easy
enough to understand that il pays, and that
i all that is necessary to make the business
Increase rapidly, There are to-day hun
drods of thousands of dollars in Montana
that would be Invested in sheep Were they
10 be had in the market at reasonable price.
Men in every calling in lite who have means
TO invest are amazed at the profits realized
in this branch Of hnsbandry, and are, eager
10 embark in the business, and the day is