5 19 00 pourth Annual I^cport OF THE STKT E Board of Slieep Coinmissioners OF MONTANA FOR 1900 I CONTAISil^C ALSO Governor's Quarantine Proclamation New Bounty Law, (901 Grazing Areas on Railroads for Sheep Trans- ported Through the State, and Directions for Preparation of Sheep Dips 1901 STATE PUSLISriING CO. tTATB STATIONBRej PRINTBRa AND BINOSRS HBLBNA, MONT. pourth Annual F^eport MONTANA T, C. POWER, - President. CORNELIUS HEDGES, Secretary. HELENA^ MONTANA 1901 STATE PUBLISHING CO. STATB STATIONBRS, PRINTBRB AND BINDBRS MSLBNAa MONT. OF THE OF 1900 Important Notice to Sheep Men. The report of the Department of Agriculture on ''The Stock- Poisoning Plants of Montana," prepared by Prof. V. K. Chestnut and Dr. E. V. Wilcox of the Department has been issued. The Department has consented to mail copies of this report to our individual sheep owners direct from Washington upon lists which will be furnished them by our Board. They will doubtless be in the hands of our sheep men within the next month and should be read and preserved with great care. Helena, Mont., May 17, 1901 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT State Board Sheep Commissioners To His Excellency, Governor Eobert B. Smith: In accordance with law we present herewith the annual report of thi^^ Board for the year ending November 30th, 1900. CHANGES IN MEMBEESHIP OF THE BOARD. During the past year there have been two changes in the personnel of the Commissioners, as follows: On April 19, 1900, Mr. P. B. Moss of Billings was appointed Sheep Commissioner of Yellowstone County by you.r Excellency to succeed I. D. O^Donnelh resigned. October 30th, 1900, Mr. L. H. Mills of Saco was appointed Sheep - Commissioner for Valley County 7ice A¥. B. Shaw, absent from the State. INSPECTORS APPOINTED. Inspectors have been appointed by the Sheep Commissioners in the following counties: BEAYERHEAD COUNTY— L. E. Thomas of Dillon, on Dec. 7t]i, 1S99, vice T. J. Mulany. DEER LODGE COUNTY— John A. Robinson, Deer Lodge, on Au- gust 25th, 1900, vice C. H. Williams, resigned. GRANITE COUNTY— Alex AVight of Stone, was appointed Deputy Sheep Inspector for Granite County by President T. C. Power, there being no Sheep Commissioner for that County. This appointment wa» made so that the sheep being shipped through the state and grazing at Drummond might be confined to the prescribed limits, and was made pending this meeting. 4 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT PARK C;OIJNTY— J. W. Van Doren, Livingston, on January 9th, 1900, vice Albert Niittall, removed from the State. TETOIS^ COUNTY— E. Rose, Cut Bank, on July 20th, 1900, vice Charles R. Scoffin, resigned. YAIJ.EY COUNTY— J. H. Jordan, Saco, on November ^-Mii, 1900, vice James C. Gregory, resigned. YKLLOWSTONE COUNTY— A. C. Logan, Billings, on May 7, 1900 ,vice Henry Struck, resigned. W. R. Bainbridge of Bean, A\as a]3i)ointed Additional Inspector for Carbon County, March 12, 1900, in place of J. T. Graham, removed fi'oni the State. Under tiie laAV creating the Board the terms of the members of this Board and of inspectors as well, will expire March 7, 1901. The submission of this report has been 'somewhat delayed becaus(_' of the postponement of the annual meeting of the Board from Decem- ber 3rd to 10th. The president being absent from the state requested that the date of meeting, which is a inatter of local control and not fixed by law, be put off for one week, and the several Commissioners were notified of such proposed change on Novmber 19th, in ample time for objec- tion by them if the changed date was not satisfactory. The law cre- ating the Board mierely requires that one meeting be held during each year. The wan-ants drawn against the Sheep Inspector and Indemnity j'^imd during the year ending November 30tli, 1900, amount to $3,143.07, Vlivirlod as follows: $3,143.07 The item of secretary's salary appears to be $50.00 in excess of the amount allowed by the Board, explained by the fact that last year but POSTPONEMENT OF ANNUAL MEETING. EXPENDITURES. Commissioners' expenses Inspection and treatment Stationery, postage, and incidentals Secretar3^'s salary $ 584.71 1,670.37 237.96 650.00 STATE BOARD SHEEP COMMISSIONERS 5 $550.00 Avas drawn on that account, cine to the fact that our bill was not presented for the last month of last year nntil the first month of the present year. The statement of the State Treasurer shows $6,247.59 in the fund but with bills outstanding amounting to $553.37, or actual balance on December 1st instant of $5,694.23. The blanks for statistics were sent out more generally than ever be- fore and this item alone cost $50.25 for postage on 1,174 blanks with an enclosed stamped envelope included Avith each. The printing of the blanks cost $6.00 additional — a material saving over the same item for last year. RULES FOR mSPECTORS. Direct!}^ after our last annual meeting and while many if the Com- missioners were still in the cit)^, we were urged to formulate a set of rnies for the guidance of inspectors and have them published in our forthcoming report. With much reluctance and conscious lack of in- formation on the subject, we framed what to us seemed some appropri- ate regulations, with advice and suggestion from some members of. the Board. These were then submitted to the Attorney General for criticism and after his approval they were published in our report, but they still need your approval and such amendment as experience with them will suggest. Some criticisms of such a veteran inspector as C. W. Cook of Meagher County, which appeared in one of our Helena papers recently, deserve your attention. " EXCESSIVE ASSESSMENT. The action of the State Board of Equalization last year in forcing the county assessors to raise the assessment on sheep to what seemed an unreasonable valuation, in the face of a standing decision of our Supreme Court, was brought to an issue by the County Clerk of Cas- cade County in refusing to correct his assessment lists. In the suit that followed the stock interests 'united in the employment of able counsel at considerable expense, but ihe results justified their resistance and contention. After full consideration of the able arguments of coun- sel, the court stood by the former decision and the claims of the Board of Equalization were set aside. Unfortunately the decision did not come early enough in the year 6 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT for tlie county assessors of ihe state had held a meeting in Helena 111 Jannarv previous and a majority of them had agreed to I'efurn sheep at an asscssiiK'iit ol" \)or liead for ilie ])resent year — an exorhitant \alnation as we heliev(\ and wliicli could only !>e obtained foi' the better |)ortion of the hocivs. 'Jdiis makes no allowance for the cnlls and tlie continuous ]osscs occurriiig from \arions canses. Tlu' a-si'ssuuud iu ^Montana as was slu)\vn by compai'ative tal)]e last year N\as iwwv as liigli as lire average in other states under similar laws and possessing in all res])ects eciual or superior advantages of inarkets. INVESTIGATION OF POISONOUS PLANTS. The subject of getting some light and relief from the losses annually sustained by shee}) eating poisonous ]~)]ants was considered at the last a.nnual meeting of the Bo^ai'd and the letter to the Secretary of Agricul- ture apjU'oved at that time was forwarded in due time. In response our state was visited l:)y Prof. Y. K. Chestnut and Dr. E. V. Wilcox, expert- botanists, who were sent out by the Department in .the month of May, transportation having heen procured for them through the ef- forts of President Power, and they were also furnished with letters of introduction to our Commissioners and Inspectors with request to fur- nish any assistance in their ])ower. A letter just received from the Department shows that a large and valnable work was accom]:)lished by these gentlemen. In about sixty plants examined six poisonous ones were found and a remedy found for half of these, permanganate of potash, wddch can be easily carried and administered by any herder. Tlie full report of rhese gentlemen has l)een made and in due time will be printed and distributed. The attention of our Senators and Pepresentative should be called to the matter so that the needed in- formation may be made accessible to our sheep owners before the flocks are sent to their snmmei' ranges next s,eaiSon. Actual losses amounting to $2.5,000 came under the observation of these gentlemen in iheir investigations in this state, and they estimate that losses from, ])lant poisoning ])robably reached $75,000 to $100,000. GENEPAL OBSERVATIONS. At the opening of the vear conditions looked favorable for improved prices of wool and mutton and there were agents in the state seeking STATE BOAIID SHEEP COMMISSIONERS 7 to contract the wool crop for 190C> at 20 cents per pound at a time six months in advance of its shearing. But when shearing time came and the crops were brought to market there was a noticeable scarcity of buyers and backAv ardness in purchasing and the prices were far be- low what was reasonably anticipated. This was in strong contrast to the animated bidding at the avooI exchanges at our princi]>al market- ing points one year ago^ and it seemed evident that there was a com- bination against the growers to dictate prices and secure the wool crop on consignment. Many were compelled to sell at two-thirds the price that was anticipated, and most, unwilling to sell at prevailing prices were compelled to ship and acee])t Avhat the coUiSignees were willing to ad- vance. Most of the consignments are still unsold and the expected returns are being consumed by interest on the advances and commission charges. I^rotwithstanding the fact that the last wool crop of the United States was much less than two-thirds of the legitimate consumption, and the supply of foreign wool on the 1st of January last was almost entirely exhausted, purchaseis ha-ve been kept back and prices are kept down to rates altogether below what the situation warrants. Manufacturers tell us that the consumption per capita of woolen goods is diminishing, notwithstanding the universal testimftny of his- tory that this consumption increases Avith advancing civilization. The Avool product of this countr_y is not as great as it Avas 10 years ago and our population has meantime increased fourteen millioniS. Another )^tatement of the manufacturers js tJiat more cottion is being ,used in connection Avith the manufacture of Avoolen goods. Is it thei rise iu cotton that has also caused the recent rise in Avoolen goods? The quota- tions of raAV wool have apparentlv remained stationary for manv months. By unjust discrimination in classification of imported avooIs the nom- inal ])rotective duty is redu.ced by at least 2 cents per pormd, and if the 20 per cent proposed reduction on Argentine avooI should be secured, as manufacturers have sought, the fancied benefits of oiir protective tariit are gone. The situation is serious, if not alarming and requires m.ore concentration and out-put of effort than ever before called for. AEGENTINE TREATY. The information that has reached us that a treaty of reciprocity had been negotiated Avith the Argentine Republic Avhereby a reduction of 20 per cent of the dutv imposed by general laAv AA^as to be conceded in con- 8 FOURTH ANNUAI. REPORT si deration of some reductions npon some manufactured goods ex- ported to this countr}^, naturally aroused considerable apprehension as affectiiig our interes^t vitally. The Argentine Eepublic produces nearly 100.000,000 pounds of wool per anuum more than the entire United States, and has more than twice the number of sheep. With a popula- tion of ouly four million and virtually no mauufactures, the entire ^\ ool product is for export. A reduction of the duty by one-fifth would be a heavy blow to our sheep industry and any benefit in return would inure entirely to those who receive the chief benefits under the present laAv. Such unfair discrimination moved u's to protest and a letter was prepared and sent to our Senators and Kepresentative and filed with the committee having the treaty under charge. The treaty was no-*- reported upon favorably within the time specified in the treaty and hence failed of approval. inspectiojst by the general government. In November of this year our state received a visit from J3r. George H. M. Rowe of Ogden, who came to confer with our State Veterinarian, Dr. Knowles, upon the appointment and location of two inspectors by ^lie General Government,, under a law that went into^ effect July 8, 1899. Since then inspectors have been appointed in all the western states except Montana, the largest sheep-raising state of all. The explanation of this is rather to oui* credit, for these inspectors only inspect sheep shipped out of the state, and the reputation of Montana for clean sheep surpasses that of any other state, owing to better laws, and yet more to their enforcement. As we have had no cases of scab except from sheep and bucks shipped into the. state, these inspectors/ could serve us better outside than within the state. We however welcome the appointments and as these government inspectors are under one general head, those in different states will correspond and cooperate with one another as well as with our own officials. The two points proposed for the location of the two in- spectors within this state were Havre and Billings. A resolution of approval by our Board of Commissioners would seem appropriate. NATIONAL CENSUS OF LIVE STOCK. In connection with the national census taken during the past year, an effort was made to extend it to embrace all kinds of live stock. In response to requests for information in their line, we fur- nished all the information in our possession, but of course we had not 9 and could not give the latest returns for those only come to us at the close of the year. With the rej3orts due at this meeting of the Board we shall be able to give more correct figures than have before been obtainable. OTMBEK OF SHEEP IN MONTANA. From the November bulletin of the National Association of Wool Manufacturers ^ of Boston, the latest published estimate, Montana is credited with 3^717/160 sheep, about 70,000 less than New Mexico, which according to this authority heads the list in numbers. Montana is credited with a gain of near 100,000 less the past year than the year before, which we think is erroneous and we fully believe we excel all in numbers, as ^ve do by far in the wool product. New Mexico with 3,786,688 sheep is credited with 16,093,424 pounds of unwashed wool, Montana with 3,717,160 is credited with over 26,000,- OOC pounds of unwashed wool. The rate of shrinkage on our wool is ') per cent greater. This computation is of course made wholly on a percentage basis in the increase of sheep, whereas the past lambing season in this state was one of the most favorable ones ever experienced and the consequeni increase in the number of sheep is larger than usual. Through the courtesy of the State Board of Equalization we were given the returns to their Board of the number assessed, including all kinds , amounting to 3,552,081, and valued at $9,818,851, or an average assessment of $2.76 per head. MISCELLANEOUS. An item of interest to this Board and a project that should receive our encouragement is the proposed erection of a woolen mill at Big Timber, the contracts for which have already been let and ground broken. Another year will probably see the plant in successful opera- tion. Some of the sheep men of Miles City and Custer County during the past year erected a wool warehouse at Miles City by private subscription, where the wool of that section could be housed until sold. Unfortun- ately however the ware-house burned on June 30th last at the height of the wool season and 900,000 lbs. of wool were destroyed. Most of tliis however was insured, except that received during the day. At Dillon there is also a wool warehouse owned by private capital, but at all other railroad points the wool ware-houses are owned by lO FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT the railroad coinpanies and tlieir caijaoity ib usuall}^ so lijiiited that an o\Mier niusi eitiiiT sell or ronsign his wool soon after arrival in order 10 gel it out of the Avav. At ilre-ai I'aJJs last siuiiiner there was such an amount of wool at ojie time that it had to he loaded in cars on side-tracks for miles and at one time the ijisuraiu-e c-oui panies there actually refused to take any more wool insui'anee. K^ome estimates place the amount of wool marketed there at seven to eight million pounds^ while at Billings as high as 12 million pounds were estimated todiave been delivered^ but this in- cludes a laige amouiit of northern Wyoming wool. Shearing by machine is on the incifease and some few individuals and companies have supplied themselves with plants of tlieir ow^ji. On*; advantage of this is that it is a check upon sheep-shearers who some- times strike for more pay after mjaki]ig contracts. It is claimed for machine \\ork that it shears cleaner and without cutting the sheep as much. Of course to those who have plants of their own another great advantage is that they can choose their own time for the work. During the past year Ave have received the First Annual Jteport of the Board of Sheep Commissioners for tlie State of Wyoming. Their system differs from ours in that the Board consists of but three mem- bers, and their rules of inspection and fees ditfer also. But it is a satisfaction to know that other states are alive to this great interest and a comparison of views and experiences will be of great advantage to all. The wooigrowers of Cu'ster County and the eastern portion of the state have organized a local association and issued a neat pamphlet. In Choteau County also there is a similar association holding annual meetings in the spring at the time of the stockgrow^ers' meetings. So far as we know these are the only local associations, but they could be multiplied to great advantage and be of incalculable service as aux- iliaries to the state organization which can only be gotten together at long intervals and at considerable expense. United counsels and concentrated action is very much needed by shee])-raisers. HEALTH CONDITIONS. Tioports from tlic several counties 'shoAv in detail the health condi- tions, which are almost universaily good and our state stands fore- most in this respect, thanks to good laws strictly enforced and the active cooperation of our State A^ierinarian, Dr. M. E. Knowles. STATE BOARD SHEEP COMMISSIONERS Tlie scab that was supposed to be eradicated in Choteau County last year reappeared this season and received more thorough and effectual treatment. In January last scab appeared in Valley County to an alarming ex- tent and the local inspector not feeling equal to the emergency^ In- spector John ¥. Patterson of Chotean County was sient to his assist- ance and started the work of dipping and quarantining the infected bands. Later Dr. S. V\l. McClure, Assistant State Veterinarian^ was placed in cliarge upon recommendation of Dr. Knowles^ to com]jlete the work begun by Inspector Patterson and all infected and exposed sheep were dipped three tiuies and his final report shows that the work was done to his satisfaction. This being the hrst appearance of the disease in Valley County^ it ^vas difficult to make the local sheep men recognize the necessity of ob- serving tiie prescribed quarantine boundaries and in one case resort to law was necessary to enforce the regulations. The arrested party on coiiAdction of transgressing the inspector's regulations, was fined $160.00 by the officiating magistrate. Another case where resort to law was found necessary occurred in Choteau (^^ounty iu Inspector Patterson's jurisdiction. Law that cannot or will not be enforced is worse than useless. However disagi^eeal^le the remedy, the effect was salutary and the officers deserve special com- mendation. . The introduction of scab in Valley County was directly traceable to rams imported from outside the State. Breeders of rams frequently protest against the severity of our quarantine laws against all sheef) brouglit in from other states, but our costly experience has proved to us the wisdom and necessity thereof. During the past season the sheep men of Montana were favored with a mild spring and sufficient rain to give grass an early start. This resulted in a better lambing season than usual. But as the season progressed the early promise for a large growth of grass was sadly disappointed. The feed on the ranges is closely cropped and the supplv of hay and other feed is not equal to a long, hard winter. Fortunately so far through December itihas been mild and favorable. Without extending this report further we respectfully present it to your Excellency and shall request that some other matter and statistic", not included be alloved to be included in the print. Eespectfully submitted, COKNELIUS HEDGES, Secretary. 12 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT a o XI o 0^ No. Sheei^ Destroyed by Wild Anunuls Advance per Lb. Re- ceived for Wool Consigned 0_CO I- OS 00, CO 00 No. of Lbs. of Wool Consigned ,-1 ^ O r-l . . O (>J t-< rH O ffi CO -P Price Received for : ■ ^ ^ S t2 ' CO • '• « 30 • "? ^ CO • ■*! lO O) 15 1-6 No. of Lbs. of Wool Sheared Since Mch. 1, 1900 735,000 323,000 840,000 1,050,000 4,987,891 (2) 3,452,148; 1,186,297! 504,728 4,429,890 119,000 35,000 32,409 476,835 525,125 1,820,000 480,315 250,500 9,000 2,023,500 1,657,550 966,000 1,990,000 27,894,188 Price Received for o ^^oT^O O O (>J £- 05 O O : lo 05 •!>- O O O CO OS No. of Lbs. of Pelts Sold Since March 1, OOCOOiO'>i:000 ooooo— l^-35t- o_lO_o_o_o_l-^_•^^_^ CO_ i-H iH OTh -H : 1 CO !- ^ ^ r-^ " - o 0,0^: ^ „ „ „ ^ „ No. Sheep Brought Into State From Other States Since Marcb 1, 1900 oo . -o -^oo O O • • O • 03 lO o < rH O? r-l o CO OQ O O O O o o ^ o CO T— I lO kO O (?? O O I »o »C3 fc) O O \ (X) O ^ 10 02 I Ol ^ >-i .-I co^o,o_ o ' co'io'o" o CO 1 O , lO lO I- I o lo o a> lO (M lO CO 1-1 O lO < O O CO O 05 = o O O CO o o o CO o,o_-* "^"^ ^ coco'rn" in" irf No. of Sheep on PI md March 1, 1900. OOOOCOCOOOOT-JOOOiCOOiOOOiOOOi-iOiO oooocpco'^^CJLOo>^^^oi^-ooT^^o3— (GOooT#cixi oo OOC30.-^l^-.OCO-Hc-OaOOC-iOS003C03vatching it very carefully and be- lieves it fully under control. CUSTER COUNTY— Good. DAWSON COUNTY— Good. No scab in this county. Owing to an extremely dr}^ summer and range fires our sheep owners were crowded for summer range, but late rains improved the ranges to such an extent that at this time sheep are in fine shape. DEER LODGE COUNTY— Very good. One case of scab reported by inspector, but were dipped in lime and sulphur two times and I su]> pose are now cared. Otherwise the health is good. Sheep generally FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT in good condition considering the sliorl j'ange and limited pasture caused by so nmcli railroad and state lauds being I'eiu-ed the last year. •FEEGiUS COUNTY— The lUuuier Stieep County of the United States." The general health and condition, of sheep was never better in this County. We lia^e never gone into inter quarters under more favor- able conditions. Owing to the unusually miJd 2)rece(ling winter large quantities of hay were carried over insuring a plentiful supply witli what ^\ as cut this season^ to insure light loss this winter. Range con- ditions are satisfactory. I am pleased to report that no scab or other infectious diseases exist in the county, and we have been entirely free from such during the past four years., aaid this taken into consideration wlien Uergus County contai]is more sheep than any other county in the United States, is gratif3dng to those most interested. Comparing the above^ with my previous reports (which were all made under the same rule of computation 1 find there were less sheep de- stroyed by coyotes, wolves, a^nd other wild animals, than during the preceding year, due entirely to the efficacy of the Bounty Law as a means of destroying coyotes which are in fact tJie only menace to the industry as far as wild animials are concerned. I find upon careful examination of the individual sheep owners re- - ports, that losses caused from various poisonous weeds among sheep are on the increase', and while I am not in a position to state as to what par- ticular poisonous weeds cause such deaths, nor the antidotes therefor, still in some instances tbe loss was alaTining, and should arouse the deepest interest of the Board to investigate under competent experts, and ascertaiu the ti'ue cause and antidotes. One instance that has come under my .observation, was the loss of 325 bucks, a fine imported lot worth $20.00 per head, from what was termed Lupine ppisonino-. The board should take prompt measures, in addition to wha,t has been done in securing Dr. Wilcox of the Department of Agriculture, and have this gentleman submit a report upon his examinations made last summer. A perusal of this re])ort will 'show that the wool-growers consigned more wool to commission houses and for storage under their own order, than ever before in the liis1()f\- of tlie industry in this county. This was entirely due to the unsatisfactory pr-ices olTered by 1)uyers last wool season. . STATE BOARD SHEEP COMMISSIONERS 1 5 It will be noted also that the report indicates one of the largest lamb crops ever raised in the county^ dne to the favorable weather con- ditions last spring, while the average ^\'ool per head sheared is far greater than ever before. While this was largely dne to the precedin'^- jnild winter, still I know that in part it is dne to judicious breeding, and the general average has increased fully one pound per head during the past four years under normal conditions. FLATHEAD COUNTY— Ko Commissioner and only a few sheep for slaughter. GALLATIN COUNTY— Good. GKANITE COUNTY— Health good. Condition fair. There are only three other flocks in this county at present. They are grazing here but are owned in Deer Lodge County. JEil^EESON COUNTY— No disease whatever. Thirty head died from sickness lasting about a week. Industry is good when wool is worth from 14 to 16 cents. LEWIS & CLARKE COUNTY— Good. No disease of any kind ex- cept one owner who reported a number of sheep locoed from eating loco weed. MADISON' COUNTY— Good health and in fair condition. No dis- ease known in the bands in this county. MEAGHER COUNTY— iVll sheep coming in and being shipped out of the county have been carefully inspected. Fifty thousand sheep have been so examined. There have been two cases of scab; one was completely cured after dipping in lime and sulphur, while traces still exist in the other case. MISSOULA COUNTY— No report. PARK COUJ^TY — There has been no scab in this county and only two bands of sheep inspected, which were found to be free from scab. The range in Park County is fully stocked at present. The sheep are in good condition to winter and every shee]) owner is well supplied with hay. RA7AI;LI COUNTY— Good. Industry m thriving condition. SILVER BOW COUNTY— Good. SWT.ET GRASS — Good. Se^^ral sheep-men reported some blue bag, and some loco. No scab. Industry is in good condition. TETON COUNTY— Good so far as known. i6 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT VALLEY COUNTY — Scab developed in a band of bucks imported from the east. TJiey were accompanied by a liealth certificate but the disease showed itself in twelve cases. They have been dipped three times and ordered dipped twice more before permission to use them will be allowed. Of the sheep in which scab was detected in Jannary, 1900, all are now clean except the bands of one owner and in his case the most careful preparations for second dipping have been made and a feeding area for their use has been carefully quarantined. These sheep have already been dipped onoe. The remainder of the sheep in the county are reported in excellent condition and go into winter well prepared. Y'ELLOWSTONE COUNTY— Industry is in good condition at pres- ent and Ave hope for a continuance of it. There was one light case of pin-head scab, and one owner reported a small loss from spoiled milk or black bag. SHEEP QUARANTINE PROCLAMATION— 190L State of Montana, Executive Office, Helena, January 19th, 1901. AV'hereas, Under the provisions of an Act of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Montana, entitled: ^^An Act to provide for the ap- pointment of State Veterinary Surgeon, and to suppress and prevent dissemination of infectious diseases among domestic animals," it is made the duty, whenever 1 shall have good reason to believe that any disease covered by this Act has become epizootic in certain localities m ioithei States or Territo|riQS, or /that iconditions exist that Irender Rams, Ewes, Lambs, Wethers or Stock Sheep liable to convey disease, that I shall thereupon, by proclamation, schedule such localities and prohibit from them importation of Rams, Ewes, Lambs, Wethers, or Stock Sheep into this State, except under such restrictions a,s I, after consultation with the Veterinary Surgeon, may deem proper; and Whereas, I have reason to believe that conditions exist which render the class of sheep herein designated Rams, Ewes, Lambs, Wethers or Stock Sheep M^hen broughht into this State, liable to convey the dis- ease known as "Scab" and other contagious or infectious diseases, it is hereby ordered that all Rams, Ewes, Lambs, Wethers or Stock Sheep im- ported into the State of Montana from any other State or Territory STATE BOARD SHEEP COMMISSIONERS 17 of the United States^ or Foreign Coiintries whatsoever, must when shipped be loaded at point of starting, into properly disinfected car or cars, and shipped in such properly disinfected car or cars into this State, where, upon arrival at the state line of Montana, or the closest availahie point thereto where the sheep are to be unloaded to be driven to destin- ation in the State, and before being turned upon the public domain or upon private premises, and all Earns, Ewes, Lambs, WetheTs or Stock Sheep driven into or through any portion of the State from any ad- joining state or country avoiding all quarantine yards and areas, shall be held at such point or points as may be hereafter designated and there dipped under the supervision of the State Veterinarian through the Deputy Sheep Inspector of the county into which the sheep are to remain, and said sheep shall be dipped in some recognized and reliable dip known to be efficient in. the cure of scab, twice, the second dip to occur within ten days or between ten and twelve days after the first dipping. After sufficient time has elapsed from the last dipping, if in the opinion of the Deputy Sheep Inspector herein designated, or the State Yeterinarian, said sheep are found free from disease, they may under proper restrictions be then conveyed to the range on which they are to be kept, providing that these regulations shall hot in any way interfere with the ninety days' quarantine prescribed by Jaw, if in the judgment of the Deputy Sheep Inspector or the State Yeterinarian it is necessary to detain 'such sheep after they have been dipped. The above shall apply only to all sheep intended for detention or ownership within the State of Montana to be fed and grazed upon the public domain and private property. And I hereby warn and direct all persons, corporations and com- panies importing the classes of sheep herein designated to give due and full notice to the State Yeterinary Surgeon, and to the County Deputy Sheep Inspector, of their arrival within the State of Montana. J. K. TOOLE, Governor. GEO. M. HAYS, Secretary of State. FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT NEW BOUNTY LAW. A|)])]'ove(! aiul in (vllect llarcJi 2, 11)01. J)ill for An Act to Amend Section ;]()iO and Section 3076 Article 8, C'lia])ter 5^ Title Part 3, of the I'otitical Code as Amended by tlie Act Aj![)ro\eil t'ehrLiarv l.Si)*) liclating to the Payment of Bounty on Wild Animals. Be it Enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Moaitana: Section 1. That section 3070 of Article 8, Chapter 5, Title 7, Part 3^ of the Political Code as amended by the Act approved Eebruary 2Tth, 1899, be amended so as to read as folloAvs: Section 3070. There shall be paid out of the fnnd in this act here- after created for the killing of the following named animals hereafter killed in the State of Montana the following bounties. For each grown ^vol^ five dollars. For each grown coyote five dollars. Eor each wolf or coyote piij) five dollars. For each mountain lion seven dollars. Section 2. That section 3076, Article 8, Cliapter 5, Title 7, Part 3 of the Political Code be amended to read asfoUows: Section 3076. It shall he the duty of the board of county commis- sioners of each county in this State at the time of luaking the levy of the annual tax to levy a s]>ecial tax of three mills on the dollar upon the assessed valuation of all cattle^ horses, mules, asses, and sheep in their respective counties which tax shall be collectetd as other taxes upon like property and when so collected shall he paid into the State bounty fund aforesaid, which fund shall be preserved inviolate for tire pay- ment of bounties herein above provided for and any county commis- sioner who shjall refnse or interfere to prevent the levy of the tax aforesaid shall be deemed guilty of a misderneauor and upon convic- tion thereof shall be punisbed l)y a fine not exceeding $500 or im~ prisonment in the county jail not exceeding three months or by both such fine or im])risonment. Section 3. All Acts or i)arts of Acts rn conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Sectir)!! 1. This Act sludl tak'e efi'ect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. STATE BOARD SHEEP COMMISSIONERS 19 EAILKOAD FEEDING POINTS AND GRAZING AREAS FOR SHEEP BEING TRANSPORTED TUROUim THE STATE. ON NORTHERN PAGIFICJ RAILROAD. "The Northern Pacific Railway Gompajiy is authorized to trans]K)rt sliee]! tlirongli tire states of Montana and North Dakota^ wlien accom- panied by certificates of good liealtli^ as described herein^ witli per- mission to allow grazing outside the stockyards at the following poinis and within the limits specified.^^ PLAINS — Three miles north and south of the right of way, five mile's east and west of tlie unloading peas and in line with the right of way. SELISII — Three miles north and south of the right of way, five miles east and west of the unloading pens and in line with the right of way. DRUMMOND— Three miles iiorth atid south of the right of way, five miles east and west of the unloading ]>ens and in line with the right of way. ELLISTON — From Elliston east along the Northern Pacific Railroad to the Lewis and Clarke County 'boundary line, and ten miles north of the railroad between these two points. 'LIVINGSTON— Three miles north and south of the right of way. FORSYTH— Four miles north and south of the right of way, and four miles east and west of the unloading pens in line with the right of way. GLENDIVE — T^vo miles north and south of the right of way and five miles east from the unloading pens in line with the right of way. The grazing points in North Dakota are Belfield, Sims, Sterling, Medina, Mane! an and Jamestown. ON GREAT NORTHERN RAILROAD. BALTIC — Beginning five miles north of Cut Bank on the east line of the Blackfoot Reservatiou, thence east fifteen utiles, thence sotith ten miles, thence west fifteen miles, thence north five miles to the point of beginning, with Baltic practically in the center. 20 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT NASHUA — Beginning at Nashua running north ten miles up Porcu- pine Creek^ thence west ten miles^ thence south ten miles^ thence east to the point of beginning. The Great Northern has 3^ards at the following places where sheep are unloaded for feeding in the yards but with do grazing privileges outside: Butte, Boulder, Helena, Craig, Cascade, Great Falls, Fort Bento]!, Big Sand}^, Havre, Chinook, Malta, Saco, Hinsdale, Oswego aiid Culbertson. STATE BOARD SHEEP COMMISSIONERS 21 DIEEGTIONS FOE PREPAKATIOIST OF SHEEP DIPS. PREPARED BY DR. M. E. KNOWLES, STATE VETERINARIAN LIME-SELPHIIR DIP. Take eight pounds of unslackecl lime, place in a receptacle and add safficient hot water to slack tlie lime and form a paste. Sift into this lime twenty-fonr ponnds of Flowers of Sulphur and stir thoroughly. After the lime and sulphur are thorougJily mixed, place the mixture in a boiler with twenty-four to thirty gallons of boiling water, and boil the mixture for tAvo to three iioars; never less than two hours, always remembering that the longer the mixture is boiled the more sulphur will dissolve, making the ooze less caustic. A little water can be added from time to time if required. isTow^ pour the mixture into a tub, barrel or other receptacle, placed near the dipping vat and pro- vided Avith a bung-hole four or five inches from the bottom, and allow plenty of time to settle. When fully settled, draw off the clear liquid into the dipping vat and add sufficient wnvm water to make 100 gallons ot dip. The dip should always be kept at a temperature of 115 degrees to 120 degrees, never be allowed to get below 110 degrees or above 122 degrees Fahrenheit. NICOTmE-SULPHUE DIP. As the preparation of Mcotine Dip from, leaf tobacco, in this country is too expensive, it will be assumed that some of the prepared tobacco dips will be purchased. This clip should contain' five one-hundredths of one per cent of nicotine to the 100 gallons of dip, in addition to which sixteen pounds to the 100 gallons should be used. The Flowers of Sulphur should be mixed into paste with Avater in a pail or barrel, then be added to the tobacco dip and thoroughly stirred. This dip as stated for the above, should be kept constantly at a tem^ perature of from 115 degrees to 120 dgrees, and never alloAved to dror* below 110 degrees. In dipping sheep for scab a watch should ahvays be used in timeing them, and never alloAA^ one to leave the vat under Iavo and one-half minutes, and three minutes before shearing. In dipping for ticks, they should be detained at least one minute in the A'at. 22 FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT STATE BOARD OF SHEEP COMMISSIONERS. 1901-1903, County Beaverhead Broadwater Carbon Cascade Choteaii Custer DawBon Deer Lodge Fergus Flathead Gallatin Granite Jefferson Lewi 8 and Clarke Madison Meagher Missoula Parlv Powell Kavalli Rosebud Silver Bow Sweet Grasp Teton Valley Yellowstone Commissioner James P. Murray. R. H. Clendenin. David Smethurst. Frank Reid ... . . C. B. Toole Prank D. O'Neill. William Lindsay. David Hilger.. John F." Work. T. C. Power S. R. Buford D. E. Folsom D. R. Maclay S, O'N. C. Brady.. William Williams. J. L. Humble David McGillvray. T. Clowes Miles. . . James Vestal W. K. Flowerree. . L. H. Mills P. B. Moss Postoffice Address Dillon Glenwood. . Red Lodge. Cascade Gold Butte. Miles City. Glendive... Lewisiown, i?ozeman . . , Helena . Virginia City White Sulphur Springs. Lo Lo Myersburg Deer Lodge Corvallii Sabra P. O Silver Bow Big Timber Lowry Saco Billings DEPUTY SHEEP INSPECTORS. County Broadwater. . Carbon Cascade Choteau Custer Dawson Fergus Gallatin Granite Madison Meagher Missoula Park Powell Ravalli Silver Bow. . Sweet Grass. Teron Valley Yellowstone Inspector C. W. Cook Frank L. Clark... C. H. Campbell.. J. F. Freeman . . Dan H. Bowman. Joel Gleason David Hilger . ,. . John F. Work.. .. Alex. Wight L. S.Bnggs ,C. W. Cook Dr. G. T. McCul lough. J. W. Van Doren Thomas A. Chaffin.. Dr. J. D. McGregor, Albert Harrison E. Rose D. A. Smith A. C. Logan Address Unity Red Lodge Great Falls. Chinook Knowlton . . GlendiTe . . . Lewistown . Bozeman . . . Stone Ennis Unity Missoula. . . Livingston. Corvallis . . . Butte, 106 S. Main St Big Timber Cut Bank Hinsdale Billings ASSISTANT DEPUTY INSPECTOR. County Inspector Adflress Carbon W. R. Bainbridge. Bean . No Inspectors have been appointed for Flathead, Jefferson and Lewis and Clarke Counties. Vacancies exist at present in Beaverhead. Deer Lodge, Powell and Rosebud Counties.