Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1879-01-09

WE have already discussed in these col
umns many important measures which
should come before our territorial Legislature
which is to convene on Monday next. There
are however many subjects that will arise
which lave not been mentioned, our discus
sions having been devoted only to. the lead
ing features. One important matter which
we had overlooked is brought to mind by
our Beaverhead correspondence, to be found
on our fourth page-that Of repeating the law
which refers to the range OF scabby sheep.
We opposed its enactment on the ground
that it would prove Intellectual and could
rot be enforced, and would be unjust if it
could be. We call for its repeal on the same
ground.
1t has not been enforcedin a single instance
that we rave heard of, and could not be,
hence should be expunged from the statute
books. A law which would give one man
a range twelve miles in diameter-pastur-
age sufficient for thirty or forty thousand
head of sheep-when he may have less than
one thousand is absurd. In fact. the matter
of range is a difficult one to legislate upon,
and il 1t were not, the fock-master has no
more right to protection in his pasturage
than the beet or horse grower, or dairyman.
True, the law does not contemplate this,
but it would amount to nothing more since
the fiocks of new corners are all more or less
scabby.
AS to the question of a division OF range,
we believe that prior settlers have certain
rights; which should not be. infringed upon,
but this cannot be reached by legislation.
Many of our stock-groWers have invested
large sums in improvements, and an injudl-
cious crowding upon them is uncalled for.
' It is true the land belongs to Government
and one man has the same right to Craze his
stock upon it as another, but mutual inter
est suggests that they give each other elbow
room. The time will come in the course o.
twenty years, when men will be compelled
to. own their pasture lands, but ut present
there is ample room. Instead Of crowdine
our settled valleys, new beginners would
find it to their advantage to push out to the
frontier and secure the choice locations oil
the country Tllis limiting of the range,
and so also that of protection against scabby
sheep, can we think be the most easily and
satisfactorily reached through an effort ol
an organization of stock-growers. The or
dinances Of such an association would have
more influence in regulating matters accord
ing to justice and rightthan anyfnactments
which are known to be unconstitutional, al
SO many such laws nnquestionably are.
The, offering of a bounty for the destruc
ton of coyobes and WOLVES, as spoken Q
by our correspondent, is also a very impor
tant measure. We need a bounty law fol-
the scalps OF all beasts and birds Of prey
Such laws have succeeded well in Colorado
and Nebraska. WOolves and coyotes ar
very detrimental to our sheep and cattle In
terests SO, also, are eagles, while hawks
make sad havoc among Our poultry IN sOm'
localities. Hawks and eagles are also yer,
destructive OF all kinds OF birds, and these
arc the farmers best friends. They ar,
beautiful to look upon, make our couptr,
homes cheerful. and their whole lives ar
devoted To the destruction of insects whicl
are more or less destructive OF crops. ii
Colorado, where very few birds were to b
seen before The passage of the bounty law
there are q great number and large variety
and their. usefulness in the destruction Q
g~rasshoppers is already very noticeable
Every measure calculated to assist the farm
or in his warfare against these pests shout,
have attention.
CHARLES AScENY. a prominent Cattle
grower Of Galiatin county, has contribute
another interesting article to the causer 0