Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-01-25

Chli qutte recehtiy THIS region was
the old home OF the buffalo. bnt the
countless herds that once orazed
here have disappeared never more TO
return, their scattered bones bleach
ing GU the plains are all that remain
to remind the traveller of the former
monarchs of the grassy desert. and
even these are fast disappearing from
view. Speculative man has found
a lucrative business in gathering the
scattered bones and. shipping them to
eastern markets. where they serve as
fertilizer. Hereafter the American
buffalo will be found only in the an
nails of history, but in their places
are coming vast herds of cattle, sheep
and horses, owned mostly by Stock
Ranching Companies. Buffalo were
nothing but wild cattle, and the en-
ergetic American very soon discov-
cred that where nutriment could he
found the year around for the wild
animal, the domestic species could
thrive and multiply, and their British
neighbors were not long in profting
by the example set them. Five or
six years ago less than S75, 900 would
have purchased all the cattle in the
N W. territories, now the aggregate
value foots up millions of dollars.
The ranches are divided into tiacts
of 10000 ACRES and upwards, these
are wide, open plains covered with
nutritious grasses, which cure on the
| ground. Although success has at
tended the cattle business in the n.
w. territories, they are not so we'll
adapted to stock-raising as the neigh
boring territory of Montana. in the
| latter the winters are less severe than
In the former, consequently the loss
per cent is proportionally less. One
| OF the largest of the many cattle
ranges in Montana, is the rancho of
the Benton & St. Louis Cattle Co. {,
$50 miles long by so miles broad, ex-
tending from the Rocky Mts. on the
west to the Bear Paw Mts. on the
east, and occupying the valleys of
the Teton and Maria rivers. But
unlike the ranches it is open for 9th
ers and for settlement, the Company
have a legal claim to but very
small portion of this immense range.
and it will eventually be divided into
small tracts, In the British terri
tories the ranges are leased to En-
gllsh Companies, principally, for a
long term of years at, believe, one
cent per acre, and it is a just cause
of complaint throughout the British
Northwest. In Montana the actual
expense of raising a year-old steer
from the time of its birth until ready
for market is from $3.50 to So and
the average 3 year-old will bring
from $50 to So in Chicago. The
cost of shipping from the western
ranges in large lots not exceeding
| SO per head. The cattle men reck-
on the yearly average increase of
calves at from 60 to 40 per cent.
They have no hay to cut, no stables
to clean, and no chores to do.
Ii the above statements meet the
eye of the New England farmer it will
doubtless cause some of them to
scratch their heads, and perhaps
their countenances will wear an ex-
preston of incredibly, if they don
express their doubt even more forcl-
bly,. The whole secret of the cattle
mans success and profit lies in the
remarkable popularity of these rang
es, permitting the stock to live out
on the plains and forage for them
selves during the winter months. The
SNOWFALL is light, the winters usual
ly short. Cattle can get to the grass
without difficulty; and although
heavy snow storms sometimes occur,
the cattle have given ample proof
that if left alone, they are fully capa.
BILE of ia king care of themselves.
What a contrast is this part of the
West compared to the wheat-grow-
ing countries of Manitoba and Dako-
ia with their Interchangeable Arctic
wiuters. Numerous Indians are tC
be found in the ranchine country
and they are the cause of decreasing
the stock, which is mans per cent tc
a considerable extent. They are fec
at the expense Of the government or
both sides of the line, and still the
bucks are generally allowed to retain
such formidable weapons as the Win.
chester rife. Neither are they ir
want of ammunition or objects where
on to eXpend il. To feed and clothe
them, and yet allow them to 90 abou
fully armed Ca privilege not in al
cases extended to the white many il
an anomaly, the practica! application
and result Of which is universally ex
ecrated by the people in the western
country. Stockraisipg has becom.
a great industry. The management
of the range cattle is very systematic
and interesting, but considerat,
feeling for the composition induces
the writer to forbear including fur
Their details, therefore | will pass M
further remarks upon the Que re
source par excellence Of this western
district, but will leave your reader
to estimate for themselves the ex
tent and capabilities of this product
i've realm, which Is the common her
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