LIVESTOCK 



197 



but are there not great latent possibilities that they do not yet realize? Is there not 

 some way of increasing the range of [Montana or of conserving the grazing lands so 

 that they will support much more live stock than at present? We have the natural 

 forage, or we did have it before the indiscriminate use of the public lands decreased 

 their productiveness. 



"Why is it that the state of New York, which is approximately one-third of the 

 size of Montana, has three times as many cattle as Montana? Come further west 

 and use Nebraska for a comparison. Nebraska, about one-half the size of [Montana, 

 has three times as many cattle. Again, compare Montana with the very mountain- 

 ous state of Colorado, and it will be found that where Colorado has 

 two acres of land Montana has three, but she has three head of cattle 

 where Montana has two 



"These figures would lead one to suppose that Montana's lands 

 are not as good as the states cited, but a little investigation will show 

 that Montana holds the record in production per acre. It has been 

 proven many times that Montana's soil excels in productiveness. 

 "In this state there are range lands only fit for the grazing of live 

 stock — and plenty of them. The total acreage of Montana is about 94,000,000, but 



Montana 

 Has the 

 Lands and 

 Needs the 

 Stock. 



Scene at Miles City Horse Market, Largest in the World. 



with the coming of the homeseeker the big stockman has been to a great extent 

 compelled to withdraw from the open range, and the average homesteader has not 

 yet found himself in a financial condition to carry enough live stock to counteract 

 the withdrawal of the large herds. Eventually, when he makes a success of his home- 

 stead, he will become the owner of cattle. It is hoped and believed that some time 

 in the not distant future the homesteader will also be a stockman on a small scale. 

 "From the total of Montana's vacant acres there must be deducted the lands 

 not suitable for grazing or agriculture. It has been estimated that about one-third 

 of Montana is mountainous to such an extent that the land is not fit 

 for either grazing or agrreulture. To be conservative, say we have 

 50,000,000 unoccupied acres and that 30,000,000 of this is fit for graz- 

 ing only. For every head of cattle, horses, mules and sheep in the 

 state, there are five acres of grazing land. This grazing land could 

 be called upon to support them not more than seven months out of 

 the year. Does this not show we could stand a vast increase in the 

 numbers of our live stock? 

 "Conditions have completely changed since the days of the strictly range busi- 

 ness. In those days there was a question of winter feed; now it is a question of 



There Is 

 Yet Room 

 for Thou- 

 sands of 

 Cattle. 



— Montana has enough coal to supply the No7-thwest. 



