

T H E T K K A S U R E STATE 





3!) : 



Feeding Sheep on Alfalfa and Syrup. 



ers, the land available for free public range was rapidly reduced, and during the past 

 two or three years it has been the policy of the big cattle companies to gradually close 

 out their extensive holdings. It is estimated that not to exceed 173,936 head of 

 cattle were shipped from Montana during the year 1915, and with the increased local 

 demand it is more than likely that this output will continue to grow smaller for 

 several years. It is admitted on all sides that Montana is now in the transitory 

 stage as regards the beef cattle industry, but those wiio have given the subject 

 thought unhesitatingly declare that within a few years Montana will regain its pres- 

 tige as a great producer of beef, although to do this means the production of cattle 

 on an entirely different basis than that of the past. 



In addition to cattle which may be ranged during most of the year on unculti- 

 vated lands the beef production of the state will unquestionably be larger in the 

 near future by the development of small herds throughout the state. It has been 

 demonstrated that it is a real economy for the farmer to feed as many head of live- 

 stock upon his farm as is practicable, and the large importation of high bred stock 

 during the past year indicates that an unusually numerous body of farmers are 

 taking advantage of this condition. 



Montana has for years been the leading sheep growing and wool producing state 

 of the Union, and in 1915 it produced a total of 28,682,000 pounds of raw wool of a 

 value of $7,302,437. In a lesser way the wool industry is undergoing the same change 

 as the beef industry, the settlement of the open range making it necessary to cut 

 down many of the larger flocks of the state. The increasing number of small flocks, 

 however, and the better and more intelligent care now being given the range, to- 

 gether with the high price of wool, makes it certain that the growing of sheep will 

 always be an important industry in Montana. 



