The Mineral argus., 1886-01-07

5. lis recently n.ie by Harding, Martin 4
Cayery, oi wool from 'hI vicinity, reached
the fsux of 2'..c.- Der pound, leaving a
net average os 2lci> ou medium grades.
another favorable confederation is c-iab-
li-,ien. Nation wether> which heretofore
have had no established yalue--the home
consumption amounting To a mere nothing.
the mutton sheep grew old on our hands,
The only profits being the wool sheared
from them, which the yearly expenses nearly
CONSUMED. and after the age of seven years
become unproiitable-have now reached a
.liilercn, attitude During the fall and early
winter there were shipped from Montana
via the Northern Pacific. about $4,000 NUT
ton wethors, nearly all ot which went to
s'h.sago, aud nettei. rs near a. we can
ascertain, an average of from S.25 to 81 Is
per head. This has been a reiicf. to sheep
men. and shrougl, this medium they have
been able To handle cash capital 10 better
advantage. The present season has been
but an experimental! one and has proven
sal isiaciory in one of the dulle.t season,
Tor the wool growing Industry. Not only
this, hut Montana mutton rs well as wool
has made 4 favorable impression and is
sought after by eastern consumsrs There
Is also no doubt bui that the laboring
glasses of the east. like those of England.
will soon ascertain that mutton is "a desir-
able If not preferable to beef, and possibly
this element is one that has caused the
depreciation Of beef cattle during the last
six months.
The cattle, sheep and granger interests
are considered to oppose each other in
greater or less degree. but as whole there
IS no section where they get along better
,han here. Mankind is inclined to dispose
OF more or less chin music, and to sim
!ner the whole thing down there is no plac.
in the west where many are engaged in
farming, cattle and sheep raising, tina, less
complaint is heard.
Hence, To the querry. "!ow is sheep bus.
hess in your seciion," you can say pros
lerous." Bever being better at this time
ofti,e year AMI never was the future brighter
nor more permanently established"
uofse Raising.
There il perhaps no county in Montana
better adapted for horse raising than Fergus
Among the foothills of our mountain
ranges and in our beautiful valleys. the
horse finds good feed and shelter here he
builds up hardy constitution and strong
which will eventually find for him
a market without competitor, like our
beef and wool. The heavy, draft horse is
1t present receiving the most attention, but
no doubt, in time, Montana will produce
a string of trottng aud running horses that
will equal the blue grass region of Ken
lucky. The native cayuse and broncho,
'lthongh they have performed noble
service in the past, and are not to be dis
pissed. must soon give way to the heavier,
American horse. The subject of breeding
= receiving good deal Of attention in the
'ress at present and various views are
by our horse growers. II is an
violence of renewed interest in the industry
md by public expression of views great
BENEFITS are destined to follow. The horse
industry. though in its infancy, promises
o be equally remuneraiive with cattle and
hecp. correspondent writes thus hope
uily of the future: Il think as business, |
While it does not bring in such large returns
ust now, it will ultimately be better bust !
less than either cattle or sheep growing. |
horse you need have no anxiety about in !
he winter. for he will live and get fat |
rhere stock OF all other kinds are dying |
disease is most to be feared. and fortunately /
sc are exempt from that at present"
Among the principal horse growers in |
'ergus county, are Seligman, Bailey 4 Ken |
ett, James Fergus, Granville Stuart and |
'arr Smith, while a number of men with |
he business.
Mines aud Mimimg.
OF the various industries of which |
lontana has just cause to be proud,
ot alone for the revenue vouchedsafe,
MT for the magnitude to which they
ave developed, mining takes 10
econdary place; and though in its in
,ncy in Fergus county, it is patent to
he close observer that time and CAPT
ii will place this important pursuit on
par with our grazing interest, in pro-
ortion to investment. Such, at least,
the expressed opinion Of men who
ave devoted the greater part Of their
yes TO the business.
The time has been, and not far re-
lote, when mining was conducted
retty much on the principles of a
anne of chance. Mining districts and
amps have sprung into existence
thin n fortnight. and hourished, AS
r. AS known, on indications Of the
eposit Of precious metals. Fortunes ,
ave been made and GEOGRAPHICALLY
st--on such mushroom, coyote, sailed i
stricts until capital learnt by harsh t
Spcrience that To realize from mines !
,nv r,nst bn In,,l..,l ,,I !