The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-03-19
STOCK DEPARTMENT..
Contributions for this page respectfully solicited
from stockmen and Others
A SPRING BUCOLIC
In which Montana's Cattle Industry is
Interestingly Discussed.

t1C PdCG. ldCllCtliy, IL Wdo oil CLie
braced within the first three weeks of
February, and during that storm the
alarmists predicted all manner of evil
which was not verified. It is natural
for people ON the outside to base their
estimates of probable loss in stock upon
the known character of eastern herds,
which, being accustomed to food and
shelter during the winter, would perish
without that aid.
HI sToCKMEN's EXPERIENCE
teaches them that the semi-wild cattle
upon the ranges acquire the hardness
of buffaloes, and, like them, an instinct
that enables them to survive the most
severe storms.
1t is highly probable that the ice king
exhausted himself in his last great
effort, and that there will now be no
more Wintry storms, excepting perhaps,
at the time of the March equinox, and
the harmless sugar SHOWS" of spring.
Soon the hills will put on their brand
new suits of green, the bovine quadru-
peds will discharge their maternal
functions, and the voice of the cowboy
will be heard in the land.
THE INDICATIONS ARE
that there will be an unsurpassed growth
of grass the present year, and that d
larger percentage of calves will be
branded than ever before. Montana is
now recognized as the choice st district
IF tho :, q n, xY-oc+ for hrooI.n~ anJ yro
pairing beeves for the market. Large
numbers of young cattle will be brought
from the east, and herds will be driven
to this territory from Texas. Such cat
tie may represent a smaller sum per
capita in the investment, but after the
rayages that a few winters will make in
the unacclimated herds, the spectators
will learn that it is cheaper to put their
money in animals of the country, if at
higher prices. We have before shown
that
THE ATIVE CATTLE
so-called are mostly descended from
small lots brought here by the Ameri-
can Fur company, and other early in
habitants, which cattle received the care
usually given to domestic animals.
Their descendants. now numbering over
half a million, are Injured by many gen
erations to the peculiarities of this CHM
ate. The importation at this late dav OF
Texas cattle, in which malignant types
of disease are fixed, and of States cattle,
IN which are likely to be the seeds of
that dreadful scourge pleuro-pneumonia.
is fraught with danger to the herds of
Montana, compared to which all the
elemental fury of the severest winters is
but child's play. No form of disease is
inherent IN our native stock. UndOubt-
edly the highest in grade of any west
ern cattle, their immunity from all faint
OF physical corruption is a certificate of
cleanliness that will enhance their value
in the markets from year to year.
AS AN INVESTMENT,
Montana cattle may seem high-priced.
but relatively considered they are the
cheapest. At the present time, when
south Texans-long-horned, slab-sided
and foul-sell at 500 to $26 in mixed
herds, and north Texans at S28 to S335.
who will say that the hardy, high
grade, clean animals of Montana are not
worth $40 or more? All doubts can be
effectually removed by consulting the
comparative prices obtained in the great
markets Of the east.
Every day we hear of new companies
being organized with eastern capital, to
engage in stock raising. The cattle
owners of to-day will do we'll to think
twice before parting with their herds.
because no other form of investment
Will prove SO lucrative, and once off the
range it VIII become every year more
difficult to reinstate themselves.
FL RANGE RIGHT
il no small matter. Practically, nobody
can be debarred from placing his cattle
where he will upon the public land. but
already the occupants Of various ranges
are organizing to retain them for their
W prospective increase. BY denying
newcomer roundup privileges and the
use OF their %corrals, they virtually exer-
else control. 1t is claimed by stockmen
that the ranges tributary to Fort Benton
except the country that will become
available by reducing the reservation) /
are sufficiently stocked. On some, to
afford room for the natural increase, it
will be necessary to follow the plan sug-
gested by the sagacious "R. S. F.,n of
Sun River, which is to herd the bands |
in summer upon lands that are deer,,v /
covered with snow LII ifs seasons and
reserve the ni6fe favored area for winter
nastufage.
Never have the prospects Of Montana
cattle growers been brighter. When
the branding shall have Increased their
herds 40 per cent, and the sale of beeyes
brings them bags Of shining shekels,
they may well believe they are the
favored of the gods. CRITIC.
THE largest cattle ranch in the world
is said to be that of Charles Goodnight,
at the head of Red river, Texas. He be-
..-~ -.-.:. - ~.J Il