The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-12-29
By GEORGE S. WALKER.

By GEORGE S. WALKER.
Cheyenne. Wye. Dec. 26.-The story
printed in these columns year ago to-
day, and telling of the progress made
in Wyoming during the year 1906, could
well apply to the advancement in all
lines of business in this state during the
year 1907, only greater strides were
made in some directions than were re-
corded i'm 1906. AT the close of last
year it was thought that Wyoming had
made a record growth and development
in twelve months, but the accompany
ing statement of exports of livestock,
wool. hay and agricultural products, IT.
rigation development, production or the
mines, etc, shows that last years rec
ord has been eclipsed. This increase Is
slight in some instances, but large in
~>Jhers, the whole showing that Wyo-
ming is at last coming into her own,
and can now take her place among the
sisterhood of great and wealthy states.
Small in population, but great in area
and rich in natural resources, is state
ment often applied to this young state,
and TO it this year may be added the
wonderful development of the same, and
the prediction for even a greater growth
In the future.
Coal Forced to Second Place.
For many years Wyoming's coal min
ing business was its greatest industry,
but in spite of the rapid growth of coal
mining until now We have an annual
production of over six and One-half mil
lion tons, coal mining is second TO i've
stock growing. Indeed the ralSers OF
cattle. sheep, horses, mules and hogs
produce almost as much again in dol
lars and cents as the coal mines OF the
state, and many writer's have predicted
that even livestock raising in this state
is in its infancy, that the ranges have
only been scratched over, and that with
the settlement of the valleys by farmers
the production of livestock will show
still greater increase.
Sheep Step Ahead of Cattle.
Livestock growing is Wyoming's
greatest industry, and of this particular
business, that of raising sheep and the
growing of wool ranks first. The year
1906 witnessed the passing of the cattle
business from first to second place, and
during the year just closed the sheep
business not only maintained the LEAD,
but increased the same over the cattle
business. This has been brought about
by the changed conditions, greater prof
its in the sheep business and the with
drawal of many stockmen from the cat
lie business and their engaging in the
sheen and wool business. Satisfactory
nrogress has been made, however, in
The cattle business. for during the past
wear. while probably not quite so many
cattle were marketed, better prices were
attained on the average than during the
year 1906, and the prospects for the ~
ulre are very encouraging TO the cattle-
men.
Banner Sheep State of the Union.
While the sheep business leads all
other industries in Wyoming, 1t also
leads the balance of the United States
and for the first time in the history OF
the business Wyoming is now the ban
ner sheet and wool state Of the union,
having passed Montana, which has been
al the head for many years, during the
mast twelve months Starting with one
bucIx and few ewes in the early eigh-
lies. Wyoming has rapidly increased
her sheep holdings until now there are
being grazed in this state approximate
Nv a OOO. 900 sheep. Range conditions are
IDEAL scabies has been eradlcated' the
sheen are in splendid condition, ana
with hundreds of thousands of tons of
hay in the stack for teedlng during
s,orn,v weather, the indications are that
VTvomiDg will increase her lead over
her rival Montana, during the next
twelve months.
Number and Valuation of Sheep.
The number of sheep in the state at
the nresent time the number of sheep
ana lambs exported and their value, the
nrn,ber imported and their value, and
he number of pounds of WOOL pro-
duce6 during the year 1907, showing
con1parison with 1906 as compiled by
the state BOARD Of sheep commissioners