Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1904-12-13
Beautiful Weather Which Is Bcin0
Experienced Here Is Not an
Unmixed Blessing.
THERE IS PLENTY OF NAY IN SIGHT
St0Ckmen and RanCherS Of FerQus
County Are in no Danger of Ran.
ing Short of Feed.

Although many encomiums are pass
ed every day on the beautiful weather
which has prevailed in this part of
the country all fall, there are many
who would like to see little change
for the worse. There have been few
times within the memories of the old
est Inhabitants when there was such
an extended drOuth as the one which
commenced last spring early and is
yet unbroken. There have been small
showers and one or two tiurries of
snow but never sufficient to really
soak the ground. In many places
there has not been enough moisture
to start the fall sown grain or to keep
the usually reliable springs flowing.
Ranchers and stockmen would like
to see good soft snow or a good
soaking rain before the cold weather
starts in. The business men in the
cities would also welcome u little spell
of bad weather as it would give them
an opportunity to dispose of some Of
their winter goods. An old resident
who has long been a close observer of
weather conditions in this part of the
state informs the Democrat that, in
his opinion, this will not be a partic-
ularly hard winter. He expects cold
wea, her, Of course, and snow but not
so much of either rs usual.
The following interview in the Hell
ena Record of Saturday With Il. l..
Hamilton who was in that city last
week gives correct idea of stock and
range conditions in this county:
"We have done no feeding with the
exception of a few calves" said Mr..
Hamilton, land we would do that
anyway, snow or no snow. There has
been the finest winter so far that l
have seen for years. We generally
have had several big storms by this
time, and then the weather would
clear off until after Christmas, but
this year we have had hardly enough
snow which is necessary for all
purposes.
"At the present time a little snow
would be good thing. You see,
there is feed up in the mountains
which has not been touched by stock
since last spring. Now, if we had
some snow, the cattle could get at
this; otherwise they have to travel
too far to water. They must. feed
during this kind of weather within
easy distance of the creeks or water
holes, whereas If there was snow on
the ground there they would not have
to come in at all.
"There was not nearly as much
stock shipped out Of Fergus county
this fall as there would have been had
the prices been good. am speaking
only about cattle; / shipped seven
cars about ten days ago, but have not
heard what they brought. They were
four and tive-year-old steers, and were
i'm good condition, but thought even
though prices were low | had better
ship them, as they would be rough
next year and would not bring any
more then than now.
"There is plenty of hay in our Sec
tion of the country, and il the wealth
er keeps up this way much longer
there is bound to be a large amount
OF it left. The sheepmen are feeling
good over the prospects for next sea
son. They have wintered their tlocks
well SO far, and bucking season is well
advanced. From present indications
they will all anticipate high-priced
wool next spring.