The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-30
MONTANA CATTLE RAISING.
Fabulous Profits to be Made in Cattle
and Sheep Raising Some Statistics and
Interesting Details The Opportuniti es
offered by Montana and its Needs
Correspondent of New York Post.l

Correspondent of New York Post]
HELENA, Montana Territory,
There is probably no other extent of ter
ritory within the boundaries of the United
States and having no larger population, that
can show degree Of progress equaling in
solidity that of Montana during the last few
years. According to the best estimates,
there are not more than thirty thousand PEG.
pie distributed over her wide domain, cover
ing almost one hundred and forty-fiYe thou
sand 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 develop
ment of the rich resources that invite to toll
and reward industry. In the year 1877 the
total assessment of the territory amounted
to more than sll, 1000, 900, while the whole
registered public debt was less than $685.
000-$l0,000 less than it was in 1876. The
county Indebtedness decreased nearly $780,
900 during the last year, or six per centum
of its entire amount, while the bonds o.
three 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-nlns head, all ages, valued at more than
two millions of dollars. To this amount
must be added fully fifty per centum this
year, and then far less than the real value
will be covered by the asse ssment. While
the great fame of this region is ewing 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 nu-
tritious grasses that make these valleys re-
markable, and almost without care or at
tention. tsg
THE PROFITS OF CATTLE-RAISING.
Some statistics concerning cattle raising
may be OF interest to your readers; and, as
the figures shall give represent actual trans
actions with persons with whom ] am per-
sonally acquainted, they may be accepted as
entirely trustworthy. There are not less
than three hundred thousand head of cattle
now in the territory. There are several
herds numbering from three thousand to five
thousand head, and one now reaches fully
seven thousand head. The average increase
ought to be eighty per centum of the num-
Der of cows, but one-third probably comes
nearer the general increase. Four-year-old
steers are considered beeves, and twenty five
thousand have been driven out of the terri
| tory this year. Montana beef will soon take
rank among the staple meats Of the eastern
markets.
In making purchases for stocking ranch
COW and calf would count as one, year
ling, one, two-year old one, and sometimes
in making large purchases three-year-olds are
included, and the whole would cost from $13
to SIS head. If there were many Of the
-year-olds this last price would be de-
manded. Beeves sell for s25. The larger
the head, the less the proportionate cost of
keeping. In one case fifty cents head a
year will fully cover the cost including taxes,
but seventy-fve cents would be nearer the
truth generally. The grand Ground ups 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 50 each.
They were kept near his sheep range and
the expense of keeping was not more than
50 per head. They sold readily this year at
s25 each, leaving clear profit of not less
than sl4 head. The profits resulting from
this industry, at the lowest possible est.
mate, are more than two per centum q
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 estimate the present
number within the territory at not less than
two hundred and fifty thousand. A single
flock imported during the present year num-
bers eleven thousand, another ten thousand.
and still another six thousand. Some Of
these from California are considered the Fl.
nest ever brought into this country.
SHEEP CULTURE,
Through the kindness of friend 1 am
enabled to give you some figures showing
the profits of sheep culture, founded upon
l his actual returns. In October, 1875, he took
ON shares one thousand ewes for four years.
During the first winter few died, but his
increase amounted to one thousand and fiji
ty, 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, and the lambs
number one thousand five hundred, making
a total of four thousand eight hundred
head in the flock. With fair increase his
lambs will next year number two thousand
five hundred, or, at the end of four years lin
October 1879, he will have not less than sew
en- thousand head, valued at $4,000. 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 number-one thous-
and ewes-and half the increase, and still
own flock worth about SC, 900, beside hav-
ing $4,000 in cash as result of his venture.
Now, the other persons in this speculation
are not less fortunate. They valued the one
thousand ewes furnished at $4,000; the person
taking them paid all taxes and expenses for
keeping during the four years, gave them
half the fleece, and at the expiration of that
period returned the original number, of av-
erage age, together with half the increase.
They have received for wool the first year
5000; the second. $1,000; the third, 81, 800,
and will receive next year about $4,000; or
on an investment OF $4,000 for four years
they will receive the original amount, name
ly, one thousand ewes, and not less than two
hundred and fifty per centum, or twenty
five hundred head Of sheep, additional as in
crease and 81, 300 in cash A fair increase
in sheep raising is eighty per centum, but
| during the last two years it has reached as
high as one hundred, and in some cases even
higher.
A NEw-wATER ROUTE.
The rapid increase of the productive in.
terests of the territory demanded better IA
cilities for commerce, and the navigation OF