THE NORTH-WESTERN" DISTRICT. 263 



the arrivals from the East are even larger. The immigration 

 into Montana is even larger, and from Helena, which is the gate 

 of the mountain region as it were, a constant stream of stock or 

 of expectant stock-owners, looking for locations, passes the 

 whole season. The whole country is so vast, that for many 

 years there will be no danger of crowding or hustling among 

 the new comers ; but as wool can be easily grown all through 

 this region for twelve or thirteen cents a pound, and thus give 

 a respectable profit in addition to the increase of the flock, it is 

 quite probable that the best locations near railroads will not be 

 long vacant. 



As an instance of what has been done, and some of the diffi- 

 culties that have to be met, the following statement of the 

 owner of a ranche in Montana may be given. The flock was 

 brought in from Eastern Oregon in 1882, and was driven across 

 the mountains, occupying four months in the journey. The 

 ewes dropped their lambs on the way, which, with the stoppage 

 for shearing, required a resting spell of several weeks, notwith- 

 standing the journey, the loss of lambs was trifling, and the 

 increase was over seventy per cent. The principal loss was by 

 accident in crossing the Snake River by ferry the drowning of 

 nearly fifty sheep. The location of the ranche is on the Mis- 

 souri River above Bozeman. The owner of the ranche is an ex- 

 perienced sheepman, or the losses would doubtless have been 

 far greater. The statement is as follows : 



1882. 



April 23. Cost of 3,222 sheep, at $2 per head $ 6,444.00 



Horses, wagon and outfit 637.82 



$ 7,081.82 

 Dec. 31 Expense of journey, shearing, carriage and 



shipping of wool and provisions, &c $1,447.22 



.Cutting 20 tons of hay, at $2 440.00 



Cost of corrals and sheds 823.76$ 2,710.98 



Total cost .$ 9,792.80 



June 25. Proceeds of wool sold $ 3,044 79 



Oct. 24. 926 wethers sold 2,315.00 



80 pelts 100.00 



$ 5,459.79 



Dec. 81. 2,216 ewes and rams in stock .$ 5,540.00 



1,566 lambs 4,698.00 



Horses, etc. 600.00 



Hay on hand 350.00 



Value of improvements 1,000.00 



Total $12,188.00 



