Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-05-04

a -aSA \ -e--A 4O4 4sslLs4-45 1aLLAo III AAU4LaLas
A Miles City, Montana, correspond
ent IN an interview with one OF the
most prominent cattlemen of this
section, who was one of the first to en-
gage in the open range" stock-raising,
some interesting facts were CLEANED,
which have an important bearing upon
the cattle industry as now conducted.
He is emphatic in his opinion that the
days for large cattle companies has
passed, particularly in this section.
The last winterssconcIusiveIy settles this
question. There would have been Just
as heavy loss in cattle this past winter
as in that of 1867 if there had been as
many cattle on the range. There has
been plenty of feed for cattle that are
now there, because the number was not
too great. To be successful in the
cattle business no attempt should be
made to handle large herds, for it can't
be dOne-not in Montana, at least.
This stOckman says he has cut panel
logs, 10 feet long, from timber which
grows near his ranch, with which he
has constructed one stable, 32x12O, and
with which he proposes the erection of
two additional stables, one 32x12O, the
other 36X12O. On either side of these
stables he has arranged stalls facing
toward the center, so cattle can be fed
from the main passage way running the
entire length Of the building. Plenty
of room Is left in the rear of the stalls
Erlrs,a o++fn To Il
NIT the passage of a cart for the re-
mOval Of manure, etc. He can thus
feed IN these three stables 300 head of
cattle. The stables are ranged side by
side. The further one he purposes to
so arrange as to be able to feed fifty
COWS on one side, leaving space on the
other side of the main passage way for
calves to run at large, with an opening
at one end of the stable as an exit to an
open lot, where water can be obtained.
He feeds hay and roots, such as turnips,
rutabagas, etc, which he raises in great
abundance, and which, by aid OF a chop
ping machine, he cuts up into as small
pieces as desirable, making a most ex-
cellent fodder. He is now feeding if
teen bushels of rutabagas per day to
100 head of COWS.
In summer he close herds all his
cattle with but one man in attendance,
cOrralling them every night in a ten
acre lot. In this way every head he
owns is constantly under his / eye, and
should any become hurt or sick they
can be Immediately removed to the
stables. Fully developed stock can
never be raised in this country unless
the young are carefully and judiciOusly
reared. Cattle and horses, raised as
they have been, are uniformly stunted
IN their growth simply because no care
has been given them. Situated as this
stOckman Is, he can successfully handle
500 head of cattle, and by his method
he VIII make more out of these 500
head than one who handles 1000 as
they have been handled in the past.
He viii save more calves, his beef
stock viii bring more, and the grade of
cattle viii steadily improve. This
manner of conducting the cattle bust
ness has more advantages than one, not
only to the owner himself but to the
community in which he lives. Beyond
all doubt half a dozen small stOckmen.
with from fifty to 500 head of cattle
apiece, are really of more benefit to the
country than are the immense herds of
10, 600 or 20, 600 head All the benefit
in their expenditure of money for taxes
and supplies; and in proportion to the
number of cattle they own, as compared
to the small stOckmen. the latter by far
do more for the country.
The stOckman referred to in this
article is peculiarly fortunate In the
location of his ranch. There are many.
or some at least, who could not raise
the hay and roots he does, without
irrigation, and supply of water or
moisture Is absolutely essential to the
raising Offeed. Consequently it would
be useless for those who cannot raise
hay, ETC., to attempt the business as
described. but only those who have
either natural or artificial IRRIGATION
can hope to make the cattle industry
prof able IN this country. In carving
out these ideas a stOckman viii save
fully 80 per cent in calves instead of
but 30 to 40 per cent as has been the
case. Another feature of this new plan
is the permanency of habitatiOn, these
small stOckmen secure in cOntradis-
tinctiOn to the shifting population ac-
crulng from the large outfits. The
farmer VIII stay right here and aid In
building up the country. They not
only viii pay taxes, but will purchase
their supplies and keep their money
right here
As to the raising and breeding Of
horses the same mode of treatment as
that given cattle should be observed.
Horses, however, are better adapted to
stand the severity Of winter than cattle,
but they, too, must have care and at
teDtiOn
The new idea is approved by all who
have given the question proper cOnsid-
Grafton. The losses of not only the
two past winters, but of those prior.