P a g e 5 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r The history of the sheep industry of Park county does not go back many years, but such has been its growth that it stands second to none among the sheep producing counties of the state today. Every day we hear of new adventures in this direction, while those who are older in the business declare it to be the best investment that can be made, bringing, as it does, immediate and substantial returns. Confidence in this business as an investment cannot be shaken. It is a good substantial investment and, whatever the market changes may be, will always continue to be so as long as there is a call for mutton or wool. During the summer of 1883 nearly 200,000 sheep were driven into Montana, the upper Yellowstone region receiving the greatest percent of the number according to her size. At first they were only raised for home consumption, which was found in the local mining districts. By the advent of railway facilities the sheep ranches have no limit to the number or their flocks. In selecting a sheep range some care is taken to secure broken ground, comparatively free from brush, where the wind has unobstructed sweep in blowing the snow off the higher ridges, laying bare their feeding grounds. Instances have occurred here where an investment in sheep has paid 100 percent the first year, while on the other hand examples might be cited of almost entire loss of the investment in one year. In large flocks, where the utmost precaution is used to insure against loss, involving expense, a return of 30 to 40 percent is reckoned to be as certain as the interest on government bonds. The difference in the above perFreighting Wool cent of gain or less depends upon the climate, but conservative sheepmen prefer the latter method of caring for their flocks, rather than running the risks of a changeable climate. To the man with small capital no business presents greater attractions and advantages than wool growing, as profits are more immediate, if not quite as large as in the kindred industry of cattle raising which requires more capital in the beginning, and profits are not realized as soon or so often. It is a favorite method with the amateur to locate a ranch in a farming valley and pasture his sheep upon the adjoining upland. In this way the owner may support himself off the products of farming and allow the profits of his sheep to go toward the increase of his flock as long as he may desire. A corral must be built, into which the sheep are driven every night to protect them from the ravages of wolves, coyotes, or other dangerous animals; sheds must be provided to shelter the ewes during the lambing season, and hay gathered to feed the flock in case a heavy snow should lie on the ground so long as to threaten the sheep with starvation. Although the hay may not be needed throughout the whole course of a winter, yet the careful sheep grower experiences no loss in being prepared for any emergencies in his business. –Read More Next Time
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