WEbT OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 



717 



The following statement shows the number of sheep and the assessed 

 value of the same in the several counties in Montana for the year 1891, 

 as returned to the State board of equalization by the assessor of each 

 county : 



Last year (1890) the cattle shipments east were 108,000 head, which 

 was more than usual 5 while, on the other hand, there was a decided fall- 

 ing off of southern cattle brought in, the number being only 63,037. 



In order to have a reliable basis for a correct statement of numbers 

 and values, a special report was secured covering some of the repre- 

 sentative sheep counties of the State, of which the following is a briet 

 digest : 



In Ouster County the number of sheep and lambs for the present 

 year (1891) is 235,000, with an average value after shearing of $2.75 ; 

 ewes, $2.50, and wethers, $3. From 150 to 200 men in the county are 

 engaged in sheep -raising, having bands of from 1,200 to 2,500 sheep. 

 The average investment of each sheep owner outside of his sheep, in 

 the way of ranch properties, is from $1,500 to $2,500. The industry is 

 more firmly established than ever, and the owners make better pro- 

 vision for winter. 



Meagher County has this year 340,000 sheep, one-third wethers and 

 two-thirds ewes. The value of wethers is $3 each, ewes $2.50, and 

 lambs 81.50 to $1.75. In 1890 the assessor reported 63 individuals or 

 firms owning sheep in the county, and this year 70 sheep-owners. The 

 sheep represent about 40 per cent of the capital invested in the busi- 

 ness. Fifty thousand sheep were shipped out of this county in 1890. 

 I The stockers went to the Dakotas, netting the owners here $2.50 to 

 \ $2.75, the wethers averaging $3 to $3.75. Cattle are gradually giving 

 way to sheep in this county. 



Dawson County has over 75,000 sheep, not counting lambs, valued at 

 $3 each. The bands range in size from 1,500 to 5,000, and not an un- 

 healthy flock in the county. The sheep industry is yet in its infancy, 

 being about four years since the first sheep were brought into this 



