The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-07

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Agriculture in MOntana.
The following in regard to some Of our
rich agricultural valleys, and some Of the
many successful ranchmen inhabiting them,
is fromthe pen of w. II. Murray, and pub
lished in the Pacific Anaral Press. Mr. MUIR
ray recently made q canvass Of the Territory
in the interest Of that paper; Il a ,5isiq.
EDrToRs PREss:--The small but beautiful
valley through which s5 s.sGi
WILLOW CREEK sS{sE s
Runs, is In Madison county, about twenty
five miles from Gallatin and eight miles from
Sterling City. The valley is seven miles long
and four niles wide, including the table
lands. with high range Of imoantains to the
southwest, and low foot-hills, on the other
side. 1t contains some splendid grazing land
and several fne farms. The stream which
passes through it has its banks fringed with
willows. beautifying the valley and giving it
its name. eyss st.ft 49, hi. ii
Are located on both sides Of the creek, which
furnishes an abundance Of water Tor irrigat-
ing purposes, and flows into the Jefferson,
one Of the main forks Of the Missoula river.
The farmers are all busily engaged in gather
ing their crops OF vegetables, etc. The resi-
dents Of the valley recently determined to
build a two-story stone schooihouse, 20x33
feet, and have it centrally located twill be
finished by spring.
Mr.. H. G. HARRISON
Has the model ranch of the vicinity. 1t COM
prises some thirty-two acres of farming and
meadow lands, all under fence. From forty.
hnshAls of epring -vhcat this year he reaped
eight hundred ana seventy six bushels, and
from sixty bushels Of Norway oats the yield
was l,722 bushels. This was all raised on
table land. The yield of potatoes was very
good, 135 bushels from l42 pounds planted.
He sowed % bushels Of the well known
mountain rye which produced from ten acres
ZIG bushels; he also cut fifty tons Of hay.
The stock all looks well; one short-horn bull
eighteen months old, is the finest have seen
in this part of the country. Mr.. Harrison
hangs up a good quantity Of the largest Of
his cabbagcs on nails, in the cellar, the air
having free circulation around them, and by
this means they are kept for some time. He
borcs holes in the stems to put them on the
nails. Most all the farmers, here have root
houses for the purpose of keeping vegetables.
O.. L. DAKE
Has most beautiful ranch andssome of the
finest land that any farmer could wish for. I
He raised 1l6 bushels of oats from 105 pounds
sown. A great deal was blown down when
heading, or, it is thought, he would have
rcaped from 175 to 200 bushels.
PROMINENT FARMERS.
Mr.. William Gay made 900 pounds of
cheese last wear, and sold It 1t Helena for as
cents per pound wholesale. He also made
considerable butter. Among the principal |
farmers here are A. w. Paul. !. M. Grant, a.
s. Hall & Co., Captain d. Young and Mr..
Allen. The altitude Of
THE VALLEY
Is not much greater than thatof Bitter Root,
and the farmers are not likely to have their
crops injured by frost. At the lower end is
long canyon through which the creek passes
and then widens out into what is known as
st8s IoWER wILLoEScAEEK.
Here are also number Of settlers and al
doing well. Among them (. A. Tate and
Il. M. Reeves. Passing down few n1ileswe
ssa JEFFERSON VALLEY
with the river on It's way to the head Of the
Missouri. On the banks Of this river (the
Jefferson) are no less than forty farms and
ranches. The average%yield Of wheat IS from
25 to 80 bushels per acre, though In some
places 40 to 45 have been raised. Some eight
miles from Sheds Crossing visited ranch
on the north side OF the river, owned by
Wv. sTArRLEY,
Who, like all the others, has taken up 100
acres. He informs me that from five acres Of
land he raised 449l-2 bushels of common
oats. This was put ID asIan experiment and
win do pretty well. He also dug from one
Early Rose potato l04 pounds OF fine tnbers.
Apples, pears and duinces thrive well here as
they do IN all cold countries. Strawberries,
gooseberries and cnrrants can be raised prof /
itably. Going sim farther down The river |
arrived at e Y 9; s
MADISON CITY.
AT this place the Virginia, Helena and
B0zeman roads intersect, which will make
the place thriving one az no distant day.
& bridge crosses The river at this place, own
I'd by Mr.. !. 4. She'd who OWNS seven hridxes
Ii all Ia this section of country. Il thought /