The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-05-22

veterinarian explained that these also
would have to be dipped.
IMPROVING LIVESTOCK.
State Veterinarian Says Montana
Raises Better Glass Of Animals.
Discussing the "small farmer and
his work, DR.. NJ. E. Knowles, state
veterinarian, expresses the opinion
that the small farm is improving the
quality of Montana livestock and is
also increasing the number Of horses
and cattle raised in the state. Dr..
Knowles is positive in his opinion,
which is based upon observations in
the state and upon his extended y.
perience in animal industry. He says
that, as q result OF the increased mum.
Der Of small farms in Montana, there
has clearly been q marked change in
conditions. More and better cattle
are being raised.
"The small rancher is responsible
for this turn OF AFFAIRS says DR..
Knowles. "ln proportion, he raises
more cattle and to make money at the
business he must produce better beef
than the big %stockmen. As the popu.
lation of the state increases there
will be more cattle, and l look to see
the quality Of the animal improve.
While the business has expanded
slowly, it is steadily growing and
each succeeding season will witness
more beef fed and fattened in Mon
tana.
"Only q few years ago such a thing
was unheard Of, but i. has passed the
experimental stage and other counties
are beginning to take up the bust
ness. In Yellowstone county thou.
sands of sheep and lambs are fattened
on alfalfa each winter and prepared
for market. This has become a great
industry in that county and other
counties are beginning to 60 into the
business.
"Where there was one carload of
beef shipped to the coast markets five
years ago, there are 10 carloads to.
day. In % years l believe thai the
coast will be a formidable rival OF
the Chicago market. As the oriental
and Alaskan trade increases the de.
mand will become greater and more
and more Montana cattle will 60 to
the Sound instead of to the eastern
market. All the year round there are
two OF three coast buyers stationed ir
Montana. A few years ago a coas'
buyer Wa = rarity, but conditions
are changing.
"While there are fewer horses il
Montana At present than there hav'
been, they are Of better quality, an(
the aggregate value OF them is full,
as much, if not greater, than was thu
value OF range horses. The BoeI
war did a great service for the STATE
in cleaning out the csyuses. In sew
eral parts OF Montana there are biz
breeding establishments where draf
horses are raised. In the past few
years fine Percheron, Clyde and Nor
man stations have been brought into
the state, and this blood is beginning
to tell on the general stock.
"There is no place in the world bet
ter suited TO raising good horses thar
right here in Montana. The climate
is just sharp enough to give the ami
mails endurance and the high altitude
gives them SPLENDID wind. Ia pas,
years when horses were not worth
their feed they were 80 plentiful thai
many men quit the business, but no"
that there is a big demand the number
Of breeders is increasing and the ami
mails are far improved in quality"
Glasgow News: The numerous prai'
RE fires that are prevailing north OF
Culbertson are burning up the little
range that is left and doing great in'
jury TO prospective hay crops for the
next two years. The new settlers
should be very careful about setting
fire to the grass, not for the above
reasons but because great damage is
often done because the fire cannot be
gotten under control. Recently sew
eral fires that have been set for the
purpose Of burning around a shack.
have got away and numerous shacks
and personal effects OF settlers have
been burned up, thus causing hard
ship to the new conner As we'll as burn
ing up the range for the old settler
who has stock running at large.