Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-01-26
GOOD WEATHER
FOR FL0CKS
Chinook Disposes Of Element Of Dan.
ger to WooIgrowers and Every
thing 10 Lovely.
SHEEP IN GOOD CONDITION
Review Of the Wool Situation in Mon.
tana-The Eastern Markets-
Seasons Outlook.

The woolgrowers of this section
were feeling bit dubious at the end
of last week, when the mercury touch
ed IA below zero, and the ranges were
all covered with a heavy fall of snow,
but they're smiling now. The chinook
was heard from Monday night, and
by Wednesday all danger of heavy
crust Of ice forming over the snow
disappeared along with the snow. The
moisture was needed, and the ranges
are now in pretty good shape, while
the sheep are flourishing all over the
Judith basin. Practically all talk of
contracting in advance for wool has
ceased, and the growers are quite
willing to let events take their natur-
al course and sell on the market at
shearing time, fully believing that
prices will not fall under the scale
that obtained last year. It is believ-
ed, however, that the eastern buyers
will be with us again in the spring,
considerably before shearing time,
and that about the same methods as
prevailed last season will again be fol-
lowed, which is entirely satisfactory
to the woolgrowers.
Wool Industry in Montana.
The current issue of the American
Sheep Breeder contains an exhaus-
tive letter from it's Montana correspon-
dent giving a review of the sheep
business in this state last year. This
article, which is exceptionally well
written, is evidently from the pen
of one of the best posted men in the
state. Some extracts from the letter
are as follows:
January l, 1906, finds Montana on
record with less sheep than there has
been in this state for years; it finds
the woolgrOwers in better condition
than many have ever been able to
remember; it finds that the prospec-
tive wool crop for 1906 will be 20 per
cent short of that of year ago; it
finds the sheep in splendid winter
condition, with little or no loses to
speak of during the first two months
of winter weather; it finds the sheep
men, financially, in excellent condi-
tion it finds many debts paid that
have been running for years; it finds
many sheepmen, we'll known in Mon
tana since early days, retired from the
sheep business; it finds the focks in
cleaner condition, as regards quality,
than has ever before been known; in
fact, taken all in all, it finds the sheep
industry in the Treasure state in a
condition of prosperity that has new.
er before been equaled, and as the
morning sun of the good year 1906
shone brightly over hills and Wales
il seemed to look down and bid espec.
ial welcome to the little woolies who
have made their owners so happy in
the past twelve months.
"Jtist little over year ago at the
present time, the sheep industry be-
gan to boom, so to speak. Many, able
to forsee the manner in which things
would go, took advantage Of the op
pOrtunity and made large and exten
sive purchases. They were rewarded
They made such profits heretofore un
known to the sheep business. A year
ago last October one could buy good
$1.75 each. Many were bought at this
price, while the writer knows of in
stances where lambs were bought al
$1.25 per head. The latter part of Oc
tober, 1904, however, the values be
gan to harden and the price of sheer
went up. BY January / lambs hai
gone to 81 per head, but even ther
one could purchase stock at much
Less than that. Men with foresight
contracted lambs for delivery in Ma,
at $3.50 head. These were yearlings
then, and the owners realized hand
some profits. January 1. 1905, saw
the wool industry in Montana on wha
might be called the eve of prosperity
wool was contracted at prices rang
ing from 16 cents to % cents. Tht
early buyers reaped the cream, fol
thousands of pounds of wool wert
bought by eastern houses under q
cents. From January l, 1905, sheel
continued to advance until now ont
can hardly get sheep "for love o.
money
1T is true. however, that what ma,
be said to be exorbitant prices ar
asked for the woolbearing animals
With spring only three months ava.
and the sheep in excellent flesh, it Il
difficult to purchase sheep at any
where near a value where the buye
can see where he is going 'to get OF
at so to speak.
It is safe to predict that Montana
wool clip will be 100000 pound
short of that sheared in the summe
OF 1905. Many interviews with prom
inent stockmen from all parts of Mon
tana were had before this opinion
was formed, but it is the safe est
mate of many that the wool clip will
be about 'one-fifth less than it was
year ago. This is due to the larg
number of sheep shipped from tn
state to various parts of the countr
for feeders. Estimating the wool eli
for 1905 at 36.0O0.O00 pounds, it ca
be said that the Treasure state vii
not produce more than 100000 lbs
OF wool during the coming season
Thousands of lambs were also solt
and this will tend to keep the flock
down. Feeder buyers picked up lamb
suitable for their purposes at almos
any price for fall delivery. Never bt
fore in the history of the state wa
there such a demand for lambs. Thi
will not only bring down the numbe
of sheep but it will make yearlings
scarce article this fall.
Compared to a year ago. there
but little wool contracted in MOI
tana at the present time. The reaso
for this, it is stated. is that it can OF
ly be purchased at high prices. whil