The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-03-21
BULLION IN BEEF.
a LIVING MINE THAT NEVER WILL
"PIAY OUT.''
considerable Causes Commanding Consid-
Grafton of Capitalists, Cowpunch-
ers and Carnivorous
Citizens.

be met with. They are afraid to set a
price upon their herds for fear that some
body may take them up, having in mind
instances where fellow stockmen had
their judgments befuddled by what
seemed big prices, and who are now
growing baldheaded from chagrin at
having sold out. Their reluctance to set
a price is based upon the common sense
idea, ''if I should sell my herd at forty
dollars, in what could [ investm my money
to better advantage?'
It is common question,
WILL PRICES GO HIGHER?
AS the demand already exceeds the
supply, and the y. S. is the most availa-
he region to our own and European mar
kets we need not hesitate in saying, yes.
Last year this country's production OF
beef was barely sufficient for home con-
sumption, and the herds were depleted
to an extent never before known. Texas
will not furnish as many beeves this year
as it did last by 40 per cent. The guam
tity of beef consumed in Europe last
wear in excess of the amount produced
was nearly million tons, and the deficit
is increasing at the rate of five per cent
annually.
There is another reason for the adj
vance, Capitalists have found that cat
tie are safe investment affording great
er profits than can be realized in COM
mercial pursuits, and are not content
with three per cent. upon their millions
when live stock offers from thirty to
fifty Der cent. That excellent authority
the Texas Liue Stock Journal from which
we gather many facts, says:
Stock raising is rapidly becoming re-
cognized as one of the most profitable
and certain industries in the country.
Men Of large means are engaging IN the
business for the reason that OF all others
it is the best calculated to yield larger
profits with less risk than any other that
presents itself at this time. Men unac-
auainted with the practical management
of the business are organizing stock COM
panies, investing their surplus capital
and placing it in charge OF competent
and practical men in whom they have
confidence. The stock business is pro-
it is very seldom that money invested IN
the business fails to paya good dividend.
Tt belongs too, to that class that cannot
at this time be overdone, and no matter
how many men and how great an
amount of capital may engage IN the
business, there is no danger from this
time forward that the supply will exceed
the demand. The advance Of settlements
upon the border is gradually and GER
tainly reducing the area in which cattle
can be raised to advantage, while the
demand for beef, at home and ABROAD, is
constantly increasing. These undlspu-
table facts render the business remuner-
ative and safe, and it is no wonder that
capital is seeking investment in this IN
lustry
Tt is not necessary that man should
A COWPUNCHER
to make money at the business. Com
petent managers can be hired. The in
crease in prices is a recognition by capl'
talists of facts not hitherto understood
The recognition has been only partial
and the increase in values the same
fortunes were made in Montana when
steers sold at S25 instead of $50 as they
will this season; when large annual
loss was entailed by Indian depreda
tions when wages and cost OF living
were higher, and when there was no out
let to the east All the capital coming
into the business will not increase the
numbers of cattle, nor will the demano
for constantly decreasing supply OF pee
be materially diminished however high
the price.
Wonderful as are the mining capablll
ties of this territory, how do miners as
class compare financially with the stocl
growers? The great mass Of the forme
are usually scratching around for
grub stake.n and to make a lucky strlk'
drawing the one prize in lottery. IN
goodly bank accounts and ready credI
accorded at stores testify to the success
of the latter.
The great plains of the west seem I
have been designed especially 1or u
propagation Of herds. Except lot uo
mestic purposes it seems 20 be goih'
against nature to force crops from an uh
willing SOIL but OH every side we SO
valuable watering places appropriated
for the cultivation of patches that
would be mockery to call farms, Wnereo'
the possibilities of stock raising are Dein
reduced.