The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1884-03-15
UPON A THOUSAND HILLS.
Cattle and Sheep in Montana How They
Have Wintersd, and What the
Prospects Of Increase Are.
Comparative Absence of Snow and Storm
Has Rendered the Winter Favorable
Something About Breeds.
[Pioneer Prcss.l

!, some statistics as to the value {
S many of the holdings and product
: of the vast territory, which create
surprise in the East, South an
Southwest. In the latter sectio
particularly, was wonder excite'
at learning that in October, 1888
the number of cattle assessed in tn
territory was 475,OOO, which at
valuation of $50 Der head, gave
total of s14,25O,O0O. Ofsheep thu
number was given as 100000, valu
ed at s2,1OO,0O0, a grand total 0
!, valuation in grazing wealth of SIG,
, 100000, and this in Montana alone
The winter is so nearly over in tn
land of the chinook winds that i
is none too soon to inquire, frs
as to the cattle now in Montan;
and Dakota, and second as to the
losses since the 1st of December
which is taken as the commencing
date of severe weather.
OVER THREE-QUARTERs OF A MILLION
Inquiry by person and letter
elicted the following information
the figures given, though necess-
arily estimates, being from experts
residents and out side cattle deal :
ers; In 1880 Montana and Dakota
contained 100000 head of cattle
on the 1st of December: 1888, a
moderate estimate placed the num-
Der at 65O,O0O. The Northern
Pacific will take into the territories
before Dec. l. 1884, $4,000 head,
and fully 100000 will be driven
in from Texas, Kansas and Nebraska
Every cattle man will agree that
40 per cent is not large ratio of
yearly increase, and computating
thereby the $4,000 will have in
creased naturally by next winter
to $4,000. To this add the 15O,-
600 transported into the territory
by rail or on the hoof, and the
sum total for next December
reaches 995,O0O head. At $50 per
head, the valuation will be $780,
$4,000. That the natural increase
will reach but $4,000, few cattle
men believe the most moderate
raising the figures to 225,OOO, and
claiming that in Texas and Kansas
so, and even 90 per cent of increase
is used as a basis for computing
growth.
THE WINTERS LOSSES.
For years the cry went up ''You
can't raise herds in Montana and
Dakota: it's too cold and stormy"
and only after experience had over
and over proven that the percent
age of loss from exposure was far
larger in Colorado. Nebraska and
Wyoming than in the more north
ern but more Adaptable territories
was the f,llacy of the Cry ac-
knowledged. The present winter
has been benefcent to stock men.
OF course there have been losses:
but again, is it susceptible of proof
that they are not as great as IN
mere southern ranges? Snow did
not cover the ground in Montana
to preventive depth until Feb
ruary 1st and then lasted only until
the 10th of the month, when the
chinook winds came, and the
mantle disappeared in day. The
cattle had to ''rustle" for their
food but twenty DAYS, therefore
throughout the winter. The cold
was not more severe than usual and
the blizzards were infrequent.
Careful computations give the loss
by death of range cattle at 2 per
cent. State cattle more suspectible
to exposure died in greater num-
bers, but 10 per cent is a large es-
innate of loss to be charged against
them. The range cattle number
$50, 900 out of the total of $4,000
so that the aggregate loss would
foot but 81 900. Many good judges
say $4,000 is nearer the figure.
THE WOOL BEARERS.
Numerical statistics of sheep in
the two territories are hard to get,
but there are fully million head
on the plains and in the valleys.
The principal sheep raising locali-
ties are in northern and western
Montana (Dakota's focks are not
numerous), on Powder river, Grave
yard creek, in the Judith basin and
the valley of the Gallatin. 1t has
been found that the hardest and
most profitable varieties are Sc
cured by crossing Merino bucks
with Cotswolds, Leicester and other
long-wooled varieties, and such
crosses are in most favor with Mon
tana sheep raisers. The focks
have wintered we'll, and the losses
have proven less than for several
years-less, in fact, than was be-
lieved possible, so that the heart of
TIE herder is uplifted.
REHABILITATION.
Presented in tabular form the re-
suits of the Pioneer Press inquiries
are as follows:
Losses in cattle during winter. 21,O0O
l. 1854. 650,ooo
Number Dec. 1. 1884 S95, 600
Value at $50 per head .$29. $50, 900
Number sheep in territories Dec
1. 1884 1.OOO,O OOo
Value I So per head ............. s., 200. 900
Value cattle and sheep Dec. !,
1ss4 - .s3o. $50, 900
Natural increase cattle ia 1884,. l95,0OO
Increase by importation i'll 1888. 10000
Wbo4axyor errOrs in pStlmatinp