Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-12-18
This Years Report on the Whole 10
EminentIy satisfactory-In-
crease In Sheep.
DIFFERENCE IN coNsleNMENTs.
The Amount of Wool Sent East for
Sale this Season Was Com.
paratively Small.

The annual report of David Hilger.
sheep commissioner of Fergus coun-
ty, shows a thoroughness and strict
attention to detail which is highly
commendable. providing as it does a
reliable means of comparison for the
sheep men of the county.
The report shows that there are
69,9S3 more sheep on hand this year
than in 1900. and this n spite of the
rapidly decreasing range areas. There
was in the neighborhood of 100000
pounds less wool sheared this season
in weight but it must be borne in
mind that the wool this year. though
plentiful and of good quality, was
light.
The average price per pound which
was paid for wool this year was 13
and one-third cents, as against Hand
tnree-fourths last season. Only 256.-
900 pounds of wool was consigned to
eastern commission houses this sea-
son as against 2,01l,lO2 for 1900,
which leaves a balance for last sea-
son of 1,755,102 pounus. This GER
tainly proves tnat last years consign-
ments were unsatisfactory and as
Mr.. Hilger remarks. II would seem
that il a comparison could be made
on the price received for wool both
consigned and sold on home mark
cts. the average price would be in IA
vor OF the season of 1901.
There were 1000 fewer sheep de-
stroyed by wild animals than In 1900,
which conclusively proves that the
amendment to the bounty law was
beneficial. The report with some in
teresting remarks by Mr.. Hilger is as
follows:
/. Number of sheep on hand March
/, 1901, 6GO,635.
2. Number of sheep brought into
this county from other states since
| Marcn 1, lJUl, 3,4oV.
3. Number of lambs locked since
March /, 1901, 260,635.
a. Number lambs and sheep
slaughtered or sold and shipped out
of state since March l, 1901, 22O,45O.
5. Number of pounds Of pelt sold
since March /, 1901. 76,45O.
And price per pound received for
same. 7ls cents.
| 6. Number of pounds of wool
sheared since March /, 1901, 1854.
762.
Z. And price per pound received
for same, 13 and 1-3 cents.
Z. Number of pounds Of wool con.
signed, 256,OO0, at an advance
and 2.3 cents.
s. Number Oh sheep destroyed by
wolves an coyotes during past year,
2.SO4.
Q. General health and condition of
the sheep now in this county is
splendId and range conditlons excep-
tional.
10. General details of any scab or
other infectious disease, II any. exist
ing during the past year and to date?
No scab or other infectious or con.
tagious diseases.
IL. Remarks and general informa.
tion relating to the industry:
BY a comparison OF previous re-
ports issued relative to the statistics
herein furnished. 1t may ue remarked
that the season of 1901 was eYcep-
tional, as compared with the season
Of 1900. in that nearly one.half Of the
wool grown in Fergus county during
the season OF 1900 was consigned to
eastern commission houses. while the
season OF 1901 shows that very little
wool was consigned. This Is largely
due to the fact. that from what have
been able to learn the prices netted
on the wool consigned last year were,
on a whole. very unsatisfactory, and
they realized on an average much less
than those that sold at home. The
average received for the wool clip
of 1901 of this county, Is lower than
last year. when compared with the
wool that was really sold. but am
satisfied II comparison could be
made, with amount received for wool
last year, sold and consigned that
the prices realized for 1901 are better
than a year ago. Notwithstanding
the fact that there is a tendency TO
close out many OF the smaller hold.
ings in this county. owing to the rap.
ID settlement OF a portion OF the
sheep grazing section, still the aggre-
gate of sheep on nand is surprisingly
large.
, It is quite evident that question
No. 4 IL not understood by the aver,
age woolgrower in making out the re
ports, and il may be due in part to
their misunderstanding as to whether
the sheep that they have sold are
shipped out OF the state, or only out
of the county. to be fed In some other