The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-22
CENSUS OF THE RANGES.

~ CENSUS OE THN hANGES.
The latest bulletin from the census
office contains statistics OF the range
cattle industry in the United
States, prepared by Mortimer White
head, special agent of the department.
who has done his work with intelligence
and skill. The superintendent of the
bureau, in his report, explains that the
data for this bulletin were obtained
from reports by experienced stockmen
and special agents, who personally Wis
tied the ranges in all the states and ter
ritories. After the special agents had
begun their work it was found that IN
some cases the regular enumerators had
made a partial enumeration of farm
stock. This occurred through the diff
Guilty OF exactly determining the border
line between range stock and stock on
farms owned by farmers, who are con-
stantly extending their farm area.
Again, large numbers Of stock are, dur
ing portions of the year, within farm
Enclosures and at other times on the
ranges. Owing to this difficulty in ex-
actly defining the lines Of farm and
range stock, and to avoid Implications,
only the stock known to be outside of
that taken as farm stock is included in
the tables of the bulletin.
It is found that in June, 1890, there
were upon the ranges 5l7,12S horses,
5,4333 mules, 14,10o asses or burros,
6,s2S,1s2 cattle, 6,676,S02 sheep and IT,
276 swine, with sales Of horses in 1889
amounting to Sl,41S,2O5; of cattle,
s17,913,712; OF sheep, s2,669,663, and of
swine, s27,132. The total number OF
men reported upon ranges in care of
this stock is 1890. The industry is
found to be more generally prosperous
at this time than for several years pre-
vious.
Mr.. Whitehead's enumeration was
done by nine special agents, to one of
whom was assigned the ranges of
the western part of the Dakotas and
Montana. The work was undertaken
in the summer and fall Of 1890, when
the range stock industry was not SO
fourishing as it is at the present time.
AS compared with other states, Montana
makes an excellent showing. Mr.. White
head says of it:
The state of Montana was among the last
TO attract the attention and confidence of
range stockmen on account of it's cold win
tiers; but, following the large and profitable
mining camps in 1S81-'82, large herds of
cattle from various states, but chiefly from
Texas, were located in Montana and prep
arations made for permanent stock ranch
ing. In no other range section has the de-
velopment of southern-bred cattle been SO
marked and satisfactory. The upper Mis-
souri, river and many Of its tributaries drain
the state, affording a well-distributed water
supply, while the mountains. foothills. can
yons and ravines furnish the needed natu-
raj protection from storms. The ordinary
annual loss of live stock is less than six per
cent, and many range men report less
than three per cent. The winter of 1536-'S7
was an exception, and heavy losses
occurred; but in the three succeeding years
the stock interests of the state rapidly re-
cuperated, and Montana cattle rave an e1-
cellent reputation in eastern markets. But
little attention, comparatively, is given to
regular farming, and the ranges as a rule
are not fenced, the stock being held within
the lines of a given location by a system of
cline riding" Tit expense incident to
holding a bullock one year is less than 81,
and many thousands are held at that figure
on contract. The enrolment of range
stock In Montana in this investigation
shows 750,619 head of cattle and 80, 039
horses owned by individuals, firms or com.
panies. Montana range horsemen are
breeding heavy draught animals and secur-
ing a class of stock that ia good for all
purposes. But little attention is given to
mules, only 141 being reported.
Sheep men are securing a foothold in the
eastern portion of the state, and during
los9-'9O large numbers of sheep have
reached Montana from Oregon, Washing
ton, and other states. IL is found that not
only a superior grade of wool, but also an
excellent grade of mutton, is produced in
Montana, and considerable attention is be-.
ing given to the breeding OF S%outhdown,
Leicester, and other. mutton producing
classes of sheep. Many cattle men are ex-
changing their herds of cattle for focks of
sneeP, ana eastern men are investing largely
in the business. The number Of sheep re-
ported from Montana was 493. $40. and the
amount of the wool clip was 2,841,9 GIG
pounds. TIL average weight Of fleece is a
fraction less than six pounds, although
sheep men claim that this average is re-
duced by the presence of large number Of
sheep which came into the state after being
sheared elsewhere, and hat tho true aver
ago is about seven pounds. The range
stock industry of Montana can be reported
as in q prosperous condition.
IHE vote in the city council in favor
of opening Lawrence street will meet
with general commentator. No i'm
provement that could be undertaken
would be q greater convenience and