Helena weekly herald., 1879-01-23
MONTANA CATTLE
Fabulous Profits to be Made in Cattle and
Sheep Raising--Some Statistics and
Interesting Details Oppor-
tunities offered by Montana
and it's Needs.

tunltles Uttered by Montana
and it's Needs.
| Correspondence of the New York Evening Post.]
HELENA, M. IT,, December 2, 1878.
There is probably no other extent of ter
ritory within the boundaries of the United
States having no larger population that
can show degree of progress equalling in
solidity that of Montana during the last Few
years. According to the best estimates, there
are not more than thirty thousand people
distributed over her wide domain, covering
almost one hundred and forty-fve thousand
square miles, or nearly three times the area
of New York State. But, small as it is, this
| is an active population, all contributing blood
and brain to the energetic development of
the rich resources that invite to toll and re-
ward industry. In the year 1877 the total
assessment of the Territory amounted to
more than $11 100000 while the whole
registered public debt was less than $1O8, 900
800 600 less than it was in 1876. The
county Indebtedness decreased nearly $50, 900
during the last year, or six per centum of its
entire amount, while the bonds of three of
the principal counties are fairly at par, or
more, to-day. In the assessment referred to
the enumeration of cattle was one hundred
and eighty-two thousand six hundred and
fifty-nne head, all ages, valued at more than
two millions of dollars. To this amount must
be added fully fifty per centum this year,
and far less than the real value will be
covered by the assessment. While the great
fame of this region is owing chiefly to its
mineral riches. not little of its future glory
will result from its value as grazing country,
where, during its long winters, horses, sheep
and cattle subsist upon the nutritious grasses
that make these valleys remarkable, and al
most without care or attention.
THE PROFITS OF oATTLE-RAIs1NG.
Some statistics concerning cattle-raising
may be of interest to your readers; and, as
the figures l shall give represent actual trans
actions with persons with whom am person.
ally acquainted, they may be accepted as en-
tirely trustworthy. There are not less than
three hundred thousand head of cattle now in
the Territory. There are several herds num-
bering from three thousand to five thousand
head, and one now reaches fully seven thou
sand head. The average increase ought to
be eighty per centum of the number of COWS,
but one-third probably comes nearer the gen.
eral increase. Four-year-old steers are con-
sidered beeves, and twenty-five thousand have
been driven out of the Territory this year.
Montana beef will soon take rank among the
staple meats of the Eastern markets.
In making purchases for stocking ranch
a COW and calf would count as one, yearling
one, two-year-old one, and sometimes in max
ing large purchases three -year-olds are in
cluded, and the' whole would cost from $13
to $15 head. If there were many of the
three-year-olds this last price would be de-
manded. Beeves readily sell for $25. The
larger the herd the less the proportionate cost
of keeping. In one case fifty cents a head a
year will fully cover the cost including taxes,
but seventy-fve cents would be nearer the
truth generally. The grand roundup" for
about six weeks in the spring and one month
during the autumn, when the asserting takes
place and the calves are branded, is the chief
item of expense. Two years ago friend OF
mine bought five or six hundred head of
yearling steers at an average cost of SO each.
expense of keeping was not more than 80 per
head. They sold readily this year at $25
each, leaving clear profit of not less than
$14 head. The profits resulting from this
industry, at the lowest possible estimate, are
more than two per centum month on the
capital invested. Indeed, many persons have
borrowed money at that rate of interest and
still made handsome profit. Less than
eighty thousand sheep were in the last years
enumeration, while the best authorities esti-
mate the present number within the Territory
at not less than two hundred and fifty thou
sand. A single flock imported during the
present year numbers eleven thousand, an
other ten thousand, and still another six thou
sand. Some of these from California are con-
sidered the finest ever brought into this coun-
try.
SHEEP CULTURE.
Through the kindness of a friend am en-
abled to give you some figures showing the
profits of sheep culture, founded upon his
actual returns. In October, 1875, he took one
ewes for four years. During the
first winter few died, but his increase
to one thousand and fifty, half Of
which were ewes; so that at the end of the
first year he had more than two thousand
head. This year he sheared three thousand
three hundred, making total of four thous-
and eight hundred head in the flock. With
Der two thousand five hundred, or, at the end
Of four years lin October, 1879, he will have
not less than seven thousand head, valued at
SIG, 900. His share of the wool-clip will
more than pay his expenses, so that in the
end he will be able to return the original
thousand ewes-and half the
increase, and still own flock worth about
S6. 600, beside having $4,000 in cash as re-
suit of his venture. Now, the other persons
n this speculation are not less fortunate.
They valued the one thousand ewes furn-
shed at 81, 900; the person taking them paid
~ <xes and expenses for keeping daring s. b b
'asf years gave them half edeece