Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-02-15
BIG INDUSTRY
ISFL0URISHING
Report Of Hon. B. c. White, Sheep
Commissioner for Fergus County
to the state Board.
REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR
Value Of the Industry Was Over a
Million and a Quarter-OutIook
for the Coming Season.

Following is the text of the report
of Hon. B. c. White, sheep commits
sioner for Fergus county, to the state
board:
To the Hon. State Board of Sheep
Commissioners, Helena, Mont
Gentlemen: From the data furnish
ed by the sheepmen of Fergus county
l have the honor to report to your
body that the sheep and wool grow
ing industry of Fergus county is in
highly satisfactory condition as re-
CARDS the general health and absence
of all infectious or contagious dis
eases among the sheep of the coun-
ty.
Sheepmen look forward to a pros
porous year for the business and an
ticipate better prices for wool, sheep
and lambs than have prevailed for
several years last past.
The wool clip of Fergus county for
1904 amounted to 4.75S,916 pounds,
and sold at an average price of 1888
cents per pound, which brings to the
sheepmen the sum of 1858. 272.64.
The sheep sold numbered 1890.
Placing the average price per head at
$3.50. which includes the lambs sold,
the sales amounted to $323,S56.
The number of pounds of pelts sold
;nl, II 4
an average price of nine and q cents
per pound, bringing $1O,626.6O.
The number of lambs held in ex-
cess of the sheep sold and destroyed
by wild animals amounted to 2S,571,
valuing them at $3.50 per head, or $751;
427.S0, making a total of 81 ,23S, 983.O 4
brought into Fergus county by the
wool growing industry for the year.
Sheep in the County.
The total number of sheep returned
to the assessor was 605.333. Adding
the number of lambs held over, we
have in the county at the present time
$685. 1904 head of sheep, and this is not
taking into account several THOUSAND
sheep wintering in the county, but
owned outside.
The losses from wild animals
amounted to $500 head, and complaint
is made by several sheepmen against
the present bounty law.
The average weight of sheep pei
fleece was 1856 pounds. but owing tC
the favorable conditions that have ex
listed during the fail anu winter it is
believed that the sheep of the count.
will average fully eight pounds the
coming season, and the wool clip o
1905 bids fair to be of high quality
as the sheep went into the winter il
good condition. and the universal r.;
port is that the general condition o.
the sheep is excellent and that the!
are doing fine
There have been no severe storm:
and but little cold weather that would
call for feeding. The winter ranges
have been in splendid condition. II
the main. with no deep snow or crust
although in some localities there ha.
not been as much open water as dur
ing some years, but with what snow.
that have fallen sheep have not SUI
fered for water
Only one case of supposed expos
ure to scab has been reported. an,
this band of sheep is under stric
quarantine and up to the present tim
there have been no developments tina
indicate that the band is infected.
No wool was reported as consigned
and for the first time in the hiStOr
of the county the wool growers had
splendid home market at LewiStOwn
and we believe the Lewistown marke
averaged the highest in the state, a
several clips sold as high as POI
cents. Alarge amount of wool wa
sold on the ranches and at the shear
ing pens. a circumstance unusual i
the experience of the woolgrowers G
the finland Empire
Organization is Needed.
There is lack of organization an
cooperation among the sheepmen i
both the county and state, and tn
sheepmen seem to think it a vast
of time to meet and discuss matter
that affect their industry, whereas eN
cry other class of business men NEE
to discuss matters that relate to thei
business, while the sheepman goes
alone. He is imposed upon in freigll
rates, in assessment and taxation, b
wool buyers and commission men, an
he protests against it. but as there
no organization through which he ca
ask for redress his business has
bear whatever burden is placed upo
it, and he will get no recognition {
redress until he fully appreciates tn
fact that there is strength in organi
alton, that few days spent once
year meeting with his brethren in til
business is not time wasted and, sti
further, when delegates are sent
national livestock conventions to az
upon matters of vital Importance
the sheep business, the sheepme
want to be sure the delegates ha,
authority to act, instead of represen
ing nothing for lack of membersh
of sheepmen in any wOolgrOwers' G
ganiZatiOn. B. c. WHITE,
Sheep Commissioner for Fergus Co.