New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-15

probably not a Texas steer in Montana, ana many
of the herds consist of onehaf and three-quafters
blood Short Horns. Nearly all the cattle sent east
ward are driven to the Union Pacific Rallroad iOr
shipment grass and water being so plentIinl en-
route that the animals keep in fine condition all the
way through.
SHEEP HUsBANDRY.
Sheen husbandry is also making very rapid strides
In 1870 there were no sheep IN the Territory. Now,
200, 600 of a remarkably fine grade are grazing on
the Montana ranges. Samples of Montana wool
recently sent to Boston for classification were pro-
nounced by the best judges the finest ever
received from the Rocky MOuntans-second
only TO the very highest classes of wool
produced in the United States. IL is to
argue that this dry. elevated region with its rari-
fed atmosphere, the natural habitat of the sheep
Humidity aud heat, productive OF diseases III
sheep, are here almost unknown. The export OF
wool IN 1873 was 1000, 900 pounds. Nearly $4,000
sheep were driven here last Summer from the too
closely grazsd ranges of other Western States and
Territories Its claimed that the profits IN this IN
dusry are even greater than in cattle growing. The
annual increase from young ewes throughout
the Territory averages about 90 per cent; the
annual increase from flocks containing all
ages and both sexes, is per cent. Thus
far many hocks have been Wintered
on the praincs without shelter, and without
OTHER food than that they have gathered but co =
siderate flock masters provide sheds and small
quantity OF hay to guard against all contingencies.
Seteral breeders whose ranches have visited COM
( metced i've years ago with from 1000 to 5000
ewes which they obtained on shares. Begin
ming in this way, with scarcely dollar of capital,
tbey baye given the owners halt the increase and
/ half the wool, and now own from 1000 TO 5000
sheep each Their portion of the wool clip more
IL. "a IL he
clear profit Sheep are worth from SO to 81 per
/ head
Horses are also extensively raised without pre-
pared food or shelter, and large quantities OF ex-
celleut pork are produced on pears Climate, paslur
age water aud an unequalel market for dairy
products combine to render dalrying one of the
/ most lucrative pursuits. Cows cost not n dollar
for their keeping from one years end to another
/ and the product OF butter and cheese Is by some
figured "a clear gam, the increase in stock pays
( all expenses. The dairymen are numerous IN Mon
lana who commenced five or six years ago with
rented cows and no capital but wiling hands. To
my D srsonal knowledge large proportion OF them
are possessed Of good ranches fine herds and worth
from $4,000 to $4,000 cach--all made by good
honest labor in the corral and milk-house. Over
/ 900 600 pounds OF butter and cheese were pro-
duced IN the Territory in 1873, and the average
prices obtained were 10 cents per pound for butter
and II cents per pounds for cheese The demands
! for products of the dairy were never harder to
meet than during the present Winter, and those
who embark in this industry now can duplicate the
/ experience of the pioneers with almost absolute
certainty II Is almost impossible to secure or
poultry at any price, while no climate could be
better for the production OF the feahered tribe than
this.
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.
Astounding in noble rivers aud possessing the hn-
est valley system to be found in the entire Rocky
Mountain plateau, Montana also offers many induce
ments to the agriculturalist Aside from the Mis-
souri,, Yellowstone and Upper Columbid-each nayi-
gable and possessing thrice the volume OF the Ohio
at Plttsburg-thcre are within her boundaries
dozen rivers presenting features of size and beauty
hardly * .olled by the Mohawk or Juniata. Among
these are the Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, Bitter
Root. Beaver Head. Hell Gate, Mussclshell and
Fathoad, their valleys ranging in length from 100
TO POO miles, and in width from two to twenty
miles, Adding to these the almost numbeTlcss lat
eral streams which bcautify every rayine and val
lev and one finds here unlimited water-power and
inexhausublc supplies of water for irrigation.
These waters, clear as crystal and flowing over
r,vollv beds are everyW mere full of either noun
toin or salmon trout and other fish. The Territory
contains over 100000 acres of rich farming
lands A former surveyor general estimates that
there Is a strictly agricultural domain here
greater than the entire area OF OHIO.
The valleys are generally sheltered and
rendered extremely picturesque by overlooking
pInc-cOyered mountain ranges. beSldesmI the marcy
cereals and vegetables which are produced in great
abundance in the inhabited valleys, we find some
farms m the Bitter Root and other sunny basins
where apples. plums grapes, cherries pears, nearly
all small fruits melons, tomatoes and even tobacco
and pecaus are among productions which indicate
! q not very fOrbdding cline. Irrigation Is consid-
cred necessary in most localities although in some
large crop, were raised in 1873 without it. This is
an expense of about fifty cents per acre per annum.
1t is another bugbear in the way OF the Eastern
farmer. but a ridicuousy small drain OF labor or
means when compared to the average losses sus-
tanned IN the "ranN States" through floods or
/ drOuth. No farmer who Tor season mas pldcuceu
I il will ever again exchange with him VINO awaits
the natural showers. Wheat here averages thirty
bushels per acre, and very often runs up IN %el 10
fifty and sixty bushels per acre Oais ana Other
grains also Weld enormously. have the returns OF
Yields of gram the past summer on some twenty
farms OF the Gallatin Valley. Whole iieids 81
from 40 to 100 acres average fifty bushels
OF wheat aud others seventy-hvc bushels 81 oats
,,r acre Corn is successfully cultivated IN the yell
lowstone, Bitter Root and Missouri valleys. Speci-
mems OF tins at the last Territorial fdlr were IN
usually large-eqred and were from fields when
Welded fro thItg to fifty bushels per acre. veg
eta lles attain great size and are OF excellent qua
ity. Irish potatoes weighing from two 10 tour
pounds each, rutaDagas from hIteen 10 twenty
pounds, and turmps weighing thirty pounds are
among the exhibits of Gallatin, Bitter Root and
other valleys for the past season. he virgin SOIL
of Tie bench lands is usually 50 mellow that 1t Is
ploughed for the first time IN February ct
March with ordinary team of mustangs ana I'M
mrdIately seeded. A ready market for all produce
has thus far been afforded by the nOn-prOducIng
population in the cities and mining camps ana oy
Inc numerous military posts The following are the
prices paid last Winter to ranchmen IN Montana
cities for offerings Of tine farm and dairy heat,
MS ngT
TO So per ton; potatoes, ll2 cents per
pound; onions, 3 cents; squash, cents; cab