, 1866-06-15
About The BIackfoot Couutry.

A gentleman, whose statements may be relied
on, and who has spent some time in the Black,
foot country, furnishes us the following in rela.
tion to that section, and points this side;
BITTER ROOT VALLEY.
This Valley contains a population of about
$50. The lands suitable for agricultural purpo-
ses, are considered equah If not superior, to
those of the He'll Gate Valley. The farmers re-
nlize good profits from their crops. They are
not compelled to hunt after market; that the,
have at their very doors. The teams and pac
trains from the adjacent mining camps are CO..
stantly calling and freighting away their pr
duce at remuneratiTe prices. The valleyis
pretty well settled upi the most desirable pr
tion of the farming lands where water can be
easily obtained for irrigating, being secured.
Still; at the other end of the valley OF about
IS miles from Fort Owen, there is quite large
portion of land which still remains vacant; this
has been considered little too far away from
market, but before another season rolls around
every foot of land in the entire valley will be ta-
I1nuruE Li-----s-sf~-y-, wall eaiI fol
more vegetation than the limited farming lands
of the valley can produce. From the amount oi
wheat sown this year a crop Of ten thousand
bushels is expected; provided the criekets and
grasshoppers do not destroy it-they have al
ready appeared in great numbers.
HE'LL GATE VALLEY.
This Valley is about fifty miles long and from
two to FIVE wide, large portion of which is
considered good agricultural land. AT present
there are about one hundred farms which are
being cultivated, some of which are very extern
sive. One great draw back has been the want
of seed. Last year there was about 500 bushels
of wheat raised in the valley; it is thought the
amount will be doubled this year. All kiOds of
vegetables grow and yield well where there is
plenty of water for irrigatiug. Quite a number
NOf families from the Western States arrived
there late last fall, have taken up claims, and
some have already crops in. The mines lying
in close proximity to the valley affords farmers a
ready market for all they can raise.
M,ssoUIA CITY.
This town is located at the head of He'll Gate
valley. 1t was located last Fall Messrs. Hig-
gins & Worden are the principal traders. The,
have a saw mill in operation, turning out abou
5000 feet of lumber every "a hours. They az
also building fine Touring rnill, with two rn
of burrs, which, when finished, will cost abot
$50, 900. The machinery is now on the wy
from St. Louis. The town, At present contains
about IS buildings, and willincrease as soor as
lumber can be obtained from the mill. The twn
presents quite a city-like appearance, ha'ing
been surveyed and laid out bV Mr.. Walter Jbhn-
son. formerly of Walla Walla
Mr.. Frank Moody, formerly of WALL Wala,
and now cornty clerk of iissoula, has a
fine Ferry boat on the river, oposite the city.
This was established for the benfft of the resi-
dents of the Bitter Root Valley; nd also to ac-
commodate the travel through via the Lolo
| trail.
! TIE LobO TRAIL.
Judge 7. NJ. Pomeroy, formerly 4 Idaho, has
hnir. &c, t~sso ferry boat and placed It on
the Bitter Root river at the mouth Of tie Lolo
trail. Parties were to leaTe the valley On the
18th, to go out on the Lolo to meet the 6vern-
ment party now at work opening the traT The
residents in and about the Bitter Root a1 He'll
Gate yallies seem to take more interest itopen4