The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-11-08
STOCK RAISING.
The Management of Cattle Herds In Mon-
tRna.

A Representative of the Pioneer Press
was yesterday introduced to couple of gem
tlemen at the Merchants Hotel both of
whom were interested in stock raising, the
one In Montana the other in Texas The
Texan was on his way to Montana with a
view to deciding for himself the advantages
that the latter offered over Texas for stock
raising. The Montana man is the junior
member of firm, which consists of himself
and brother, that are considered among the
heaviest stock men in the Territory. They
were almost the pioneers in stock raising in
the Territory of Montana, having COM
menced about sixteen years ago. Previous
to this they were engaged in freighting from
st. Joseph, Mo-, to Denver, Col, and after
ward when the railroad was completed to
that point, from Denver and Salt Lake to
Helena, Montana Territory, which was then
coming into prominence as mining camp.
These long trips were made with mules and
cattle. Sixteen years ago the hast trip of
the season was made rather later than usual.
and, owing to delays on the road, it became
necessary to winter in Montana. With great
misgivings as to the result, tho mules and
cattle were turned loose to find what sub.
sistence they could for themselves through
the winter months. Spring arrived, Wien
what was their surprise to find that tho est
tie turned up in magnificent condition, with
sleek, well-fed look that showed they had
had no trouble in providing for themselves.
ha o1s Sl.oA Al.
were reported that year to be deeper than
usual. This, in conjunction with tho fact
that all the deer and elk they killed were
found in remarkably good condition, led the
brothers to the conclusion that there was no
better country in the world SO well adapted
to purposes of stock raising. Returning to
Denver, therefore, they sold their steers and
mules and bought stock cattle, which they
drove into Montana, and from that date until
now they have been among the largest stock
men in the Territory. From cattle they
went into sheep and the raising of horses,
both of which latter are more profitable than
cattle. 1t was stated That sheep were every
year becoming more numerous in tho Terri
tory. Sheep require more care and atten.
ton than cattle and give correspondence
larger results 1t is also a business that ro
quires less capital than it does to engage in
the raising of cattle. The expense of herd
ing and shearing, including herder's pay and
board for one year, for q herd of 1000 is
about 50, 600. The yield Of wool will aver.
age 81 so per head, or n total of s.. oe0.
The increase of lambs can be calculated OF
twenty-five per cent Of the original number
of the herd, and, as at the end of tho year
they are of equal value to n full grown
sheep, their value would be 81, 900. Tho
gain, therefore, is almost one hundred per
cent, with ordinary attention. II is estima.
ted that there are now about two hundred
thousand sheep in the eastern part of Mon.
lana, and the number will increase RAPIDLY.
as new people arc constantly going into tho
business. In response to I'M inquiry MS to
the sheep freezing, it was stated that such u
thing was unknown. IL is true there have
been losses, but in all cases death has been
caused by sutfocation ON account of the
pens having been too small, so that the
sheep have crowded together, one on top of
the other. This causes them to sweat, and
then when they are turned out into the cold
air in the morning they take cold md die
st. Paul Pioneer Press.