The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1864-09-17
Gallatin Valley Corrsrpondencs

EDIfok fosT;-Belng something of ui.
oneer and explorer,I gladly avail myself
OF your columns for the purpose of direct
ing the attention of some among the many
enterprising men of this newly developed
country into an excellent channel for it's
remunerative exercise, some facts that have
fallen under the writer's observation, which
will, trust, be of service to enquirers.
The gold mania has induced the great
throng OF emigrants to sacrifice their homes,
happiness, fortunes and families to en-
danger their own comfort, health, and even
to risk their lives, to get to the land of
oPhir. Some set out for the purpose of
mining, some for trade, and others, less
honest, with the design of gambling and
sWlndling. But few, however, have turned
their attention to agriculture, many proba-
| bly, from ignorance of desirable locality,
but such men will find it to their advantage
to settle in the great Gallatin valley. This
is the only valley of any great extent that
possesses all the qualities and facilities for
agricultural operations, within the entire
range of the Rocky Mountains. Its length
Is from forty to forty-fye miles and its ave-
erage width from fifteen to thirty. The
Gallatin river runs through the centrs, the
Madison is on the. western side, and the
Little, or East Gallatin on the eastern,
Middle, or Six Mile creek, and other
streams intervening, with springs and
spring brooks, cold and pure, flowing from
the surrounding mountains, affording water
for stock, domestic use and irrigation.
These creeks are to be found, generally
speaking, placed at intervals of about half
mile. The grass is luxuriant; the soil
| rich and productive, and the climate salu-
lubrions. No stagnant water is to be found,
and the health of the settler is insured.
The farmers who have resided in Gallatin
valley for one or two years, say the winters
are as mild as those of the Middle States
that the land is more productive for all
small grains, yielding sixty bushels of
wheat to the acre, and the growing season
is sufficiently long to mature the earlier
kinds Of corn. Vegetables, such as pota-
toes, turnips, pumpkins, squashes, melons,
onions, beans, pea and other garden pro-
duce, are equal to those grown in the States,
The valley lis being fast settled up by
farmers, many of whom came to the noun
tains as the better class of miners, and after
while, quitting their original pursuits Sc
lect their hundred and sixty acres of land,
on which they stick stake, giving the date.
the name and the claim. They then build
their cabin and 60 to work in true farmer
fashion, convinced that the best dcposises
of gold are in the soil of the valley, bu,
that it must be excavated with the plough
and eultivatOr; sluiced in the threshing
mill and separator; crushed in the Touring
mill, and pannod in the baking-dish.
The village Of Montana is newly laid of
and located on handsome and level piece
of land, in what is called the upper valley
where the BOzeman cutoff or route to the
Eastern States crosses the little Gallatin
The proprietors offer liberal donations in
town lots to builders in the village, and
there are several new structures now going
up One of these is for store-house, and
is owned by gentleman from Chicago. 4
saw mill and grist mill are to be built next
summer, within mile Of the village, and
as demand may require, other mills and
machinery will be erected, the valley
abounding in waterfalls suitable for the
supply Of motive power.
In point Of fact, Gallatin valley is the
oasis of the mountains. The scenery can
not be excellad, the surrounding peaks
are separated only by their intervening
gulches or canons traversed by beautiful
rivulets, crowned with the ever green fol-
iage of the lofty pice. To the close exam
iner the g color" is to be found all along
the base of the mountains. Wild fruits
of all kinds are in abundance. Game il
plentiful, such as buffalo, elk, bear, deer,
antelope and mountain sheep, while the
streams abound with beaver, otter, mink
geese, ducks and fish.
Hoping that these remarks may be of SER
vice, remain, dear sir, yours respectfully
l. NJ. BOzENAS.
September 10th, 1864.