Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-20
SHIPMENTS 0F
RANCE CATTLE
GREAT NORTHERN HAS EAN-
DIED $50 TRAINS THIS
SEASON.
STOCkMEN CLEANING
OUT THE BEEF HERDS.
Fear Short Feed This Winter-scarcitv
of Hay Owing to
.Drouth.

Assistant General Freight Agent Arch
lbald Gray of the Great Northern Rail-
way company has just returned from a
Trip over his line looking up the condition
ana trend Of business affairs, particular
~ with regard to the cattle interests of
the state. Some of his observations will
De OF more than ordinary interest to the
general public on account Of the optimis-
TIC view taken by the official.
The shipments of cattle from the
northern ranges began earlier this year
than usual" he stated in reply to an In
ter Mountain representatives. query. "A
few beef cattle shipments were made to-
ward the end of July and these ship
ments were continued throughout the
month of August. AS a usual thing the
cattle movement does not begin until the
latter part of August or early in Sep
TENDER. Fearing a shortage of grass on
the ranges, however,, the cattlemen feel
that 1t would be better business policy
for them to reduce their herds and ship
everything that is marketable this year,
taking the chances of stocking the
ranges again next year by the purchase
of young cattle throughout Oregon,
Washington, Idaho, and probably Texas.
within the last two weeks there have
been some good rains, which, together
with the warm weather, ave started
some green grass. This grass, however,
is not looked upon as desirable pabulum
by the cattlemen, because while it puts
flesh OF the stock it does not mature
them and this fat is often lost in tran
sit etwee here and Chicago. One or
two of the cattlemen turned back three
or four herds which they at first intend
ed shipping, fearing that the s~hrinkage
in weight from the loss of this soft fat
would not pay them so we'll as to take
the risk of the coming winter with their
cattle. In each of these particular cases,
however, the cattlemen were we'll provid-
ed for taking care of their stock during
the winter.
.HThe Great Northern has handled
about $50 trains so far n everybody
seems satisfied with the excellent SER
vice. Stock cars are plentiful this year
some difficulty was had last year owing
to the scarcity of cars. I don't want to
be put in the position of footing the
company's horn, but 1 feel justified in
saying that we lave made some excep-
tionally fine run this year, averaging in
some cases for a 1,200-mile haul rs miles
per hour, including stops for engines,
coal, water, etc. This means about IS
miles an hour, actual running.
Hay is scarce throughout the range
country, due to the drought, and that
will be a serious disadvantage to the
small holders who usually house their
stock for the winter; but the market
conditions for cattle seem to warrant
buying hay even at a high figure.
Gentlemen are gradually recognizing
the necessity for making provision for
putting young stock in sheds and feed
are being regularly established for this
purpose, and the thing is being carried
out so scientifically that young cattle
are housed and fed on bad days and let
run for green food and exercise when
the weather is propitious."