St. Cloud Democrat., 1866-04-12
TERRITORY OF MONTANA

From Colonel W. f.. SANDERS ana u. NJ.
Davis, ESP, just arrived from the Terri
tory of Montana, we have received some
general information in regard to the agri-
cultural and mineral resources, Of that in-
teresting section of our country which will
no doubt prove acceptable to our readers,
especially those of them who watch the
present extraordinary expansion of our
population in the direction Of the gold re-
gions of the far West, and who consider
the Influences that are likely to be exerted
thereby on the commercial and political
future of the Nation. 1t will be peculiHr-
" gratifying to learn that gold is not the
only attractive feature OF the Territory j;
but that agriculture offers as rich and Ger
tain rewards to the industri GUS and enter
prising as the valley placers or mountain
lodes and gulches, lavish as nature has
been in suffusing the earth and rocks with
precious metal. There are extensive val
leys in the Territory, some Of them-the
Gallat n valley. for ipstance-thirty to for
ty miles in length, with an average breadth
of twenty, that can hardly be excelled in
any portion of the Union for richness Of
soil and the adaptation of climate to the
culture CT the various products belonging
to the temperate zone. Wheat and: the
cereals generally yield finely, while the en-
tire families of esculants, plants and fruits
with which we are familiar in this latitude,
attain large growth, with equal, if not
increased, favor. Corn, as far as the ex-
pertinent has been tried, appears to be an
exception in these agricultural and hOTn-
cultural capabilities. The season is. sup
posed to be too short for maturing that
grain fully, and other difficulties in the
way of its successful cultivation,. have not
been entirely obviated. It is but justice to
the climate AM soil to say, that but safew
fields have been planted, and that the in or
dinate love of roasting ears evinced by the
natives, has scarcely permitted. satisfac-
tory test to be made. Besides the Gallatin
Valley mentioned, there are th e Hell Gate,
Deer Lodge, aud four or FIVE others-all
presenting large tracts Of excellent farm
ing lands, and all enjoying the most ample
means for thorough irrigation. On 3 little
spot of eight acres, with the help Of span
of horses a gardener cleared, season be-
fore last, the sum Of thirteen thousand
dollars in gold. These agricultural re-
sources Of the Territory will insure more
permanent population, and conduce to =
better organization of society in all re-
spects, than could be expected frsm mere
mining enterprises. Men who cultivate
the ground, establish homes, and around
these attachments cluster, and binding oh
legations are woven of local attachments
and national loyalty. Schools spring up,
and churches, and the wilderness soon
blossoms as the rose. 81 #zssEss.
So far the placer mines have received
the almost entire attention Of adventures.
These offer the means of immediate relief,
and require no costlys outfit or extensive
capital for their prosecution. Coarse golds
aud in many instances, large nuggets are
found On the surface, or among the debris
of the rocks. But these places, as expe-
rience has shown in Colorado, California,
and elsewhere. are exhausted in Q little
while, and regular mining, with its steam
motors and quartz-cru.hing machinery,
must be adopted to develop the wealth Of
the auriferous regions. In Montana only
five or elk quartz mills are in operation -
yet, but these have frlly established the
fact that the lodes It the Territory are tho
richest M the world, while the partial pros
pecting within its limits proves it to be the.
most extensive. So exceedingly rich are
the veins, that the miuers Of other sections
are crowding thither 10 collect the treas
ures they contain. lis expected that 6f-s
teen thousand will be added to the pOpuia-
ton the present season, sll Of them from
the Pacidc slope. ssa