The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1871-09-13
VIRGINIA CITY, MONTANA TERRITORY.
july 26th, ISL.

|
/ July 26tli, ISL.
| When it is considered with what difficulty
and expense communications travel and
| transportation are maintained between the
Territory of Montana and the rest OF the
world. it seems marvellous that any one
should come here to stay 1T ALL The route
by the Missouri river boats and Fort Benton
is tedious and precarious, by reason OF the
low water, which stops navigation always
before it is desired, and frequently before it is
expected to do SO. The only other route now
employed is the road which leaves Corinne.
| Utah. on the Central Pacific railroad. passes
! near Fort Hall. in Idaho. aud crossing the
vast baslatc plains of the Snake river, enters
Montana by i,leasant, Sharp Creek, and
Beaver head valleys. With 450 miles Of
hauling to be represented. as well as the rail-
way transportation i'll the prices OF AFT i'm
ported articles (among which must be i'll
cluled many OF the lecessaries OF lne.) Mon
talla is heavily weighted in the race with
other Territories and the fact that she
maintains prosperity, and is increasing in
permanent population and sober industries.
points t., extraordinary natural rescorres.
purpose to speak briefly of these reserves OF
power, and particularly to the effect which
the establishment of railroad communication
will have in stimulating their Development.
First and fundamental are the agricultural
capacities OF Montana. A region which does
not produce its own food must carry on
every other industry at a fearful disadyan-
tage. | know that the wonderful State of
Nevada will be quoted as an example OF
prosperity based almost exclusively upon
mining but this illustration really supports
my proposition. 1t is not true, by the way.
that there is no agriculture in Nevada !; still
less that All extensive agriculture may not
hereafter arise in the valleys OF that STATE.
The sterility of the sage-brush country is an
exploded supe stition. The land lacks only
water; and irrigation has already in many
places produced wonders. But granting that
tinue to be, devoted chiefly to mining. and
that food as web lis other supplies have been
imported into the mining districts, it is a mo-
torolls fact that this condition of affairs has
crippled the mining industry from the be-
ginning. The profits Of the mines have been
much smaller than they would otherwise be
4 scanty and wandering population has made
labor both dear and hard to control and
finally the net gains of the industry have
mainly gone ont of the State, leaving behind
is improvements" stnnp-lnills. cheap tenn
porary houses, and holes in the ground. I
The railroad. the steady growth of agricul- /
ture. and other causes. will doubtless ini-
prove this state of affairs; but thus far, it
must De acknowledged, Nevada has 5led all
her veins without gaining a healthy life from
such phlebotomy. The southern part OF
Idaho belongs 10 the same category.
In travelling BY the stage road nortlward
from Cori,,ne. no sooner is the. Montana
passed than nature assumes a
different face. The sage-brnsh gives way to
nutritious ard abundant buncli-grass; the
rast, arid sacsos are succeeded by lovely vail
evs; and Instead OF the barren brown ranges
If the South, appr;tr the pine-clad SUBMITS
ST the Belt and Rocky mountains. Abnnd-
int streams Of clear pnre water travers the
i.rtiie bottoms and though, by Insufficient
-ain-falls ut certain seasons, irrigation is a
,eccssary part.of agriculture. yet the means \
,f affecting it are simple and easily available.
Corn is not cultivated with much success,
md fruits have been raised By few enter-I
,rising and skillfnl horticultlrists only but
n grains and roots flourish amazingly. The
,eaviest wheat-ears have ever seen were
harvested this year in the valley OF the +
,tinking Water.
(This, dear reader, is the vilest misnomer
i history. 1t has cost me much pains to
scertain what miscrea1t gave and for what