Fergus County Argus

THE ASSESSOR'S REPORT.

The county assessor's report for 1906, which appeared in our last issue, is a remarkable exhibit of the increasing wealth of Fergus county. The total assessment for this year is given at $8,911,414, as against $8,137,434 a year ago, a gain of $773,980.

The report shows a substantial gain in land values and improvements on same, although there is a falling off in some other classes of property. The acreage and improvements on land will show a rapid increase in the future and cut a large figure in the assessment rolls.

There has been a reduction in stock cattle from 68,854 in 1905 to 60,183 in 1906, while in cows there has been a gain of 282 head over last year, doubtless due to the introduction of dairy stock. The falling off of stock cattle was owing to close shipments last fall.

The number of sheep and their value is as follows:
Stock sheep, 1905, 578,548, $1,446,370; 1906, 519,694, $1,559,082. Lambs, 1905, 17,290, $34,580; 1906, 15,560, $38,900. Rams, 1905, 5,882, $27,910; 1906, 5,049, $25,245.

While there was a slight falling off in the number of sheep from last year, owing to heavy sales, the increase in their value makes the total assessment larger than a year ago.

The falling off of $142,264 in the net proceeds of mines over last year was unexpected and difficult to account for.

The assessment of railroads is a part of the duties of the state board of equalization. Last year the Montana road was assessed on a valuation of $166,000. This added to the assessor's report would make the total for the county very close to $10,000,000.

It is safe to predict that within another two years, with two more railroads in the county and the great increase in the value of other property, the assessed valuation in Fergus county will reach a total of nearly $15,000,000.

Considering that some counties show a loss from last year's assessment the heavy increase in Fergus county is certainly most satisfactory and reassuring to those who have faith in its great future.