The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-01-02
THE RIVER PRESS
WOOL GROWING IN MONTANA.

At present the wool of the territory
brings within our borders from abroad
one million dollars yearly, while the
increase ofour focks leaves an additional
installment of one million to our perma-
nent wealth. OF all the moneys that
enter the territory none are so widely
distributed and remain so permanently
with us. It is fair to assume, then, that
no other industry deserves more atten-
ton and study from those having the
material interests of our territory at
heart, both at present and in the future.
What representations shall we make,
in the light of our past experience, to
induce the placing of capital by strangers
into this business?
Unfortunately, or, perhaps, fortunate
ly, all men do not see the same thing in
the same light. To one, so per cent. in
the sheep business is always in sight,
while the risks are but darkly Swallowed.
To another, storms, disease and disaster
are seen and noted, and nothing will
induce such an one TO take q part in it.
Both are right, and both can produce
plenty Of evidence to prove their position
correct. Some see the successful, and
are powerfully impressed; others are
equally impressed by the disasters they
have seen and heard of. Why is capital
by hundreds of thousands invested in
government securities at 8 or 4 per cent,
when it might return fifty orupwards in
sheep? It is because the risk is great Just
in proportion as the possible per sentage
returned is great. When wool growing
in Montana conducted upon a plan that
will return over so per cent. in a year
upon the capital invested, it is alss con-
Quoted upon a plan that is liable to
reduce such capital from SO per cent. to
total loss. Ten thousand dollarsinvestea
in a band Of $500 sheep may be placef
upon the range i'm the hands Of a herder..
The expense of herding is reckoned at
$500; a cabin, 500; taxes and n or two
other things make up an expense of
perhaps 81, 900. Landing and shearing
expenses are counted in, and then Sd per
head figured from wool and increase
from the flock. The sheep that cost ten
thousand returned ten thousand less a
few insignificant expenses, or We will
say 60 per cent. on the capital invested.
We have often seen the thing figured out
something after this fashion. Something
approximating this has been done, but
in how many instances? It might be
that a winter mild and without snow or
storm would accompany the first condi-
tons; it might be that a spring perfect
in all respects for iambing would accom-
pany these first conditions, and it might
be that a band contained no old sheep;
in fact a hundred things might all con-
spire to make a success Of the venture,
but nevertheless it is a pure game of
chance-simply gambling.
AS above remarked such happy hits
have been made, but they have worked
in the end incalculable harm. People
are only too apt to think that what has
been done can be done again, both in
their own experience and in that Of 9TH
of the disasters that may have followed
from such management, they are fasci-
mated by the brilliant successes, and take
desperate chances, especially, unfortu-
nately, if they are using some n else's
money.
Another party handling this band of
sheep might build corrals to protect his
stock from wild animals, investin horses
and machinery, and put up hay in case
deep SHOWS should come, build covered
sheds for cold and story weather, employ
plenty Of help at the Landing season
in short, conduct the business as it is now
managed by most every wool grower in
Montana-the result will be a decrease
in the probable per centage by one-half
or to about 40 per cent, and a decrease in
the risk to about one-tenth. Further
than this a party might build water
proof sheds, put in crops of roots and
grain, and prepare to house and feed his
stock for five or six months in case they
would be the least exposed if taken on
the range-in this event the probable
per centage would be reduced ne half
again, or to say 20 per cent, and the risk
to perhaps one twentieth that of the first
case.
AS a fourth instance we may conceive
a case where a party satisfied with a
return of 4 per cent. might take precau-
tons that would render the risks scarcely