Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1888-03-01

FoIT MAGINNIs, Feb. =

FoHT MAGINNis, Feb. %, 1888.
EDITORS ARGUS: Sheep have wintered
well in this section; the ilocks are in fine
order, and there is promise oil a full clip.
The excellent condition ri sheep is largely
due to abundant feeding, provision Tor
which having been made by most Of our
wool-rnwers last summer.
Cattle have So far ninierel without much
apparent loss in this Immediate vicinity.
Few cattle were about thc mountains
this winter, where last yrar the loss wac
very heavy. Cntt'rmen hearcabout have
been gathering up weak cattle before aud
after storms and feeding more than in
previous years. They have also ridden
rang. aud dist iibuted weak cattle to places
where feed is best and most available.
that cattle may recuprrate rs much ~
possible before green grass and spring
weather arrives.
Woolsrowcrs are much concerned on III"
possible reduction Of iarii, an woods. Thy
feel that they have not fair play with uih-r
indust ries to be singled out especially
by the Pr sdent, particularly when ihis
industry concerns so many OF our people.
East and West. as compared - other pre-
tcctcd pursuits. From the wilderness Of It's
prod .,ction and the mass Of it, product, il
H. difficult to ''corner" or trust aud
hence deserves consideration MS an industry
valuable to have in Irace and especially in
time oi war. Woolgromers in this section
believe that tariff reduction will reduce the
number 81 sheep in the Territory, as closer
competitions with Australia and South
| america will diminish profits to such an
extent, for the prescn, "a, least, that cip-
ital i'll find better oppori uni,ies in Other
enterprises.
The wool interest of Montana j. uf i'm
mense value toward its development. II
utilities land on which il would not pay to
farm; il disir butes much cash both fnr
labor in it, production and ia The market
ing Of its product; it is the staff Of the poor
man, because the tendency To concentrate
numbers and run large outfits il accom-
panied by such large risks that the LEASING
of sheep has most often proved profitable in
comparison. II will in future he an increas
ing source Of wealth To producers and Terri
tory, and the time is not far oil when it,
flocks will he reputed through the land az
are those of Vermont and Pennsylvania
unless adverse legislation undermines tn,
foundation of the patient labor and pains
taking care for far reaching improvement
made by growers as shown in the tincl
grades and better cared for condition ~
wool sent year by year from this Territory
and more especially from this particular
section.
When advertisements in Eastern paper
meet the eye, quoting wooden pants q
superior quality, at prices ranging from $:
to 81. per pair, the wcolgrower begins t.
think that the cry Of cheap clothing ia
the masses is not based ON facts bu
rather on fiction. At the prices ofiere.
towards the close OF last years buyin
season by buyers in this Territory and a
prices realized by growers ON shipnicn
East, wool would not bring the grove
much more than twice the price ii cottol
TO the planter.
We trust our delegate ia Congress will US
! his influence in securing for our Territur
AZ great legislative encouragement Tor thi
: important industry which has been lansnis Il
: IN: under foreign competition, as cope
, which under foreign combination H. maxim
milliunaireS.
W. t.tHAMnf:RLAIN.