The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-11-11
These agricultural questions largely in
| volra tho fntrro 1900

These agricultural questions largely in
volve the future.
This north central and northeastern
part OF Montana is essentially a wool
growing region at present, and Great
Falls is the wool market. Wool brings
from = to ~ ceuts per pound more
than at any other point in the state.
This is partly due to the slightly better
wool grown in this section. Wool from
Clark's model sheep ranch in Choteau
county took the first prize on Montana
wool in Boston last year. This advant-
age in price is also due somewhat to the
excellent mercantile trading facilities at
this point.
The prices paid this year were from 10
M22 cents and 100000 pounds were
bought and shipped from this point to
Boston almost entirely. The total state
product for this year is 100000
pounds, as against 100000 pounds for
last year. The sheep industry is grow
ing rapidly, owing TO the large profits in
wool n in mutton as we'll. Said one
leading citizen: "Sheep.raising in Mon
tana would pay if not "a pound of wool
were clipped. Twelve and fifteen pei
cent interest is paid on money borrowed
for the purpose of going into the bust.
ness"
1T is not the tariff that fosters wool
growing said MIR. Theo Gibson. who
has had thirteen years experience, ever
since the industry started, in sheep rails
ing aud wool. Montana wool com
mands a market and price on lis own
merit and quality.
You are a sheep raiser and say SO
much:"
Yes. sir, most cmphatIcally, | viii
tell you why. The sheep industry OF
Montana has had the best state regula,
tons for many years. relating to the pre-.
v~ention and stamping out Of scab, ano
the inspection Of all emigrant sheep
The sheep raisers have used choice
Delaine Merino ans from Vermont fol
breeding. The best methods Of general
care and management Of sheep are used
Thirteen years Of experience in this
state have resulted in finding out The
best ways Of breeding, herdlng anc
feeding.
The natural conditions are the bes
to be found anywhere on this continent
The ranges are clean-no burs and bu
little sand TO iniure the wool, There il
ii Eblltl titt VI = ! tES VI lllAlltlptS quaint.
which cures while standing during thu
fall. Sheep can browse nearly every da!
throughout the winter. but the precau
ton is taken to stack n ton OF hay L
every ten sheep. to provide against I'm
usually severe weather. Shelter Is alsC
afforded 10y sheds and corrals.
The winters are mild, owing 10 tht
chinook winds which cover most Of thr
state. Snowfall in this section is light
In extreme northeastern Montana tn
cold weather of the Dakotas is met with
These favorable conditions and meth
DDS Of handling produce wool of uniform
excellence which has won a distinctive
name for Montana wool in the eastern
market. 1t is long, staple. and rum
largely to medium and fine medium. ant
carries a good deal Of cOmbing, long AM
short. Northern Montana wool carries
large portion Of Delaine. Montana WOO
shrinks ~ per cent. 1t is never washed
Shearing is done once a year-in June
Montana wool brings a higher price than
Oregon. Idaho. | tan. Wyoming or Colo
RADIO WOODS or Dakota or Minnesota
woods.
Michigan and Ohio woods bring high
er prices because they are washed; I'm
washed they would be worth about tn
same as ours.
$50 it is grade and no tariff that es
tablishes the price Of wooI:' again
queried your correspondent.
'Of urse it is. ] don't believe thu
taking off of the tariff would affect tnt
price of Montana wool l cent d pound
one way or the other, No one can tel
exactly as to that. y practical test il
necessary. but ] for one would like t.
try it. This sentiment prevails very
generally among Montana wool anC
sheep men. -.
How do you account for the repubii
can stories of cheap Canadian WOO
which sells at II to - cents, while Mon
tana wool brings : cents a pound more:
Mr.. Gibson smiled at this attempt t
take a republican position.
Why. my dear sir, the Canadian
woods are entirely different breeds o
sheep and poorer ranges. Less favora
be conditions deteriorate the quality
and the price Of the wool raised II
Minnesota and the Dakotas. WHY
shouldn't il have the same effect upor
Canadian wools:'
So speaks wool land.