Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-10-18
confident that we will should the \. 2. COM
mcnce to move west from Bismarck.
FINE FARMS AND PLEASANT HOMES OF
THE WEST GALLATIN.

~ " rs Up II "SSo o'' N
Gallatin. To my left. along the rivers
edge, the land was a little broken, and pebly
bars and shoals are to be seen, but out to
the westward the bench-land is level and
wide, and the soil is deep and productive.
Three miles from my starting point lpassed
through a large gate, and then travelled a
mile along the brink Of the bench-land by
the side of one immense field. When |
looked to the left, I admired the long grassy
parks and shady groves that graced the rlv
err and lowlands along ii, and when l turned
to the west, my eyes were delighted with
the sight of the long rows of wheat shocks
and large stacks of new straw, while fur
ther back and in the same enclosure, was
black, fresh plowed and seeded land over
Il hundred acres in extent. About half way
up the field, just over the rim of the bench
land, nestled down in a beautiful grove, is
the modest yet comfortable home OF G.S.
Lewis, the owner of this princely domain.
MIR. l.. selected ts:is spot as his home in
1865, and by industy, perseverance and
economy has swelled his fence from a little
garden spot until it now encloses 700 acres
of as fine farm land ash to be found in the
country. His farm is we'll adapted to the
growing of winter wheat. For a number OF
years he was the first farmer in Gallatin
county to reach the Helena markets with
new flour. This season he was there ahead
of every one, and sold his flour at So per
one hundred pounds, a top price for flour in
Montana. Besides farming extensively, he
is one of the foremost stockmen and WOOL
growers in the country. His herd of cattle
numbers several hundred, among which are
some thoroughbreds with the celebrated
diamond bull' at their head. His flock
of sheep now in Smith River valley.
Meagher county, number about 1000 head,
and clip yearly about 5000 pounds. ! neg
lected to mention that Johnnie Lewis is as
ISOLATED with his father here. He rides the
sulky pillow and attends the farm during the
week, and on Sundays. sports asdashing
turnout. Besides his extensive interest in
the farm, he has a good herd OF cattle graz
ing upon the grassy meadows of Smith riv-
er. My stay here was somewhat extended
and very pleasantly spent in rowing about
the large field and among the shady groves
along the river side.
Continuing my journey up the river above
Mr.. Lewis farm, l passed over some most
excellent agricultural land, the extent of
which that is not claimed and is as fine as
could be desired, is six to seven square
miles. It can easily be covered by water
from the river, and will some day be made
into valuable fields. Mr.. Jacob Van House,
whom | met at Mr.. Lewis farm, has recent
ly located a farm upon the land above NAM
ed, and designs rearing his home upon the
same. His location is all admirable one, and
I am glad to note his fortunate selection.
Some four or five miles from Mr.. Lewis
where the foothills narrow into the river,
is the home Of David Kughn, a substantial
bachelor farmer. The prosperity of Mr.. X.
eyinced by the valuable improvements he is
making. His large new barn, which graces
the bench near his home, would be an or
namenr to any home i'll the country. His
income, as given me by a friend, was $50
sacks of Xxx flour from twenty acres of
winter wheat, which he marketed early in
the season at an average of So per sack. Be-
sides this he had a larger field of spring
wheat which | learned turned out in round
measure, forty bushels to the acre, and that
of xxx wheat.
After passing over a few rolling ridges, |
again come down on the valley, striking j.
A. Elliot's farm first. He is a new settler
and is improving one of tho prettiest bench