Fergus County argus., 1902-01-08

this years record.
In compliance with the statute
which provides for the payment for
cattle killed on the railroad within
the state-the railroad companies
have cared for the hides In accordance
with law and the inspectors who have
examined these hides report total Of
!, 467 hides 80 inspected during the year.
We have notified the various owners
of these cattle according to the in
spection report of the brands on the
hides, and the railroad companies
have been prompt in paying for them.
The working OF the inspection sys-
TEN both at the markets and within
the borders of the state has been most
satisfactory during 1901. While the
preceding winter was very mild one
and favorable to the live stock inter
ests. the spring was an exceedingly
dry one and the outlook for feed for
the summer was most discouraging.
However, heavy continuous rains fell
during May and June, thereby insur-
ing an abundant growth of grass
and beef matured quite as early as
usual, the first shipment commencing
the first of August.
Smaller Shipments.
The total number of cattle shipped
from the state shows a decrease of
about 25 per cent from the previous
years shipments, there having been a
total of $4,000 head shipped during
the year, 3,100 of which were sent to
the markets of Seattle and Portland
and 1871 were shipped out to other
states for feeding purposes. The mum.
ber used to supply the home market
and the Indian agencies within the
state was about the same as last year
6O, 900 Matchmaking the total beef
output for 1901 aggregate $4,000 head
of cattle, a net decrease of 20 per
cent. OF the total number inspected
there were 5,S43 head of strays recov.
cred by the inspectors, proceeds OF
1891 of which were paid to the own
ers through the Montana Stock Grow.
ers' association, while the remaining
1852 head were paid for direct to the
owners, who in many cases have ar.
ranged with their commission houses
to make direct remittance for strays
so found. The Canadian stockmen
have adopted a system Of inspection
similar to our own and as a result Of
this work we received returns for 80
head of Montana strays found and
sold across the line.
Glass of Stock.
The high price Of stock cattle and
young steers has been maintained
through the past year and as result
there have probably been fewer cat
tie put in on the ranges than IL prices
had been more reasonable for this
class of stock. AS it was about $4,000
head of cattle were brought into the
state and turned on the ranges, 376 Of
these being fine breeding stock.
There is growing tendency to import
fine stock for breeding purposes so
that the quality of Montana live stock
is constantly improving, both among
the ranch and range cattle.
Horse Market Good.
The horse market during the past
year has continued as good or better
than during the preceding year, and
as a result horse shipments we're still
heavier during 1901 than In any pre-.
vious year in the history Of the state.
The agents of the English government
have bought large number Of horses
in this state, the average price paid
being a very satisfactory one. The
total shipments of horses were $4,000
head. most OF which were marketed at
Chicago, St. Paul, Sioux City and
Omaha, while a not inconsiderable
number were shipped into adjoining
states and there peddled out amogst
the farming element.
Our inspectors received 81 head of
stray horses in the past year, returns
for which were made to the respective
owners. The law relating to the in.
spection OF horses prior to shipment
was amended by the last Legislature
so as to make its provisions still more
stringent and 1t is believed that very
few horses have been taken out of the
state without inspection. About 1000
head OF horses were shipped into Mon
tana from the east.
The law relative to the inspection
of horses does not yet work altogeth-
er satisfactorily and some further
amendments will be made to 1t. II pos
sible. to AFFORD still further protection
to horse owners.
Old Brands Purchased.
The rules relative to the recording
and the use of marks and brands re
main the same as heretofore, while
the rapid development and settlement
of the state is the occasion for decid
ed increase in the number of appli
eants for brands, so that 1t is difficult
to comply promptly with all requests
OF this nature. Many stock men, de
, sirous Of obtaining and making use o
brands, are acting on our suggestion
in former reports. and are PURCHASING
old brands which have fallen into dis