Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-09-20

lHE 1tuIL growing IllIlCSO - NV" 'hS
most important interest that demands the
attention of our farmers. Our agricultural
interests are in a prosperous and thriving
condition. A spirit of inquiry seems to per-
wade the ranks of our farmers; the latest
aud most improved implements and machiil-
cry are being introduced, and the require
ments of the climate and soil more carefully
studied. Our stock interests are OH a par
with. at least, if not in advance OF, many of
the States. There is q lively interest mani-
tested in the breeding OF horses, and speed
and draught have each their disciples. The
tlourishling condition of our horned stock
business has caused great advance in this
line the most insignificant beef grower in
our remotcst valleys boasts of his thorough
breds and high grade Durhams, in fact,
good stock are becoming SO universally pop
ular that few are content with anything less
than a ~three-quarter breed bull, and in many
instances th%oroughbreds roam at large on
the range. The same spirit of progress is
noticeable among wool growers. Though
in its infancy, the most improved animals
from the choicest flocks Of the States and
Canada, and representatives from over the
water, have already placed Montana sheep
husbandry In the front ranks with the indus
try in any Of the older States.
But our horticultural interest, though it
does not involve anything like the amount
Of capital, is none the less important to the
progress and development of the country,
and the welfare ami happiness of our people.
Like most new countries, the early settlers
of Montana pronounced it a failure as a
fruit growing country, but subsequent de-
vclopments go to prove that they were in
error. A great variety Of small fruits are
being grown, and in some sections some
of the choicest varieties of apples are raised,
and we believe that the time is not far dis
tant when a large amount of fruits will be
grown on most every valley throughout the
country. Many of our farmers, though not
entirely convinced of the truth of our asser-
tions, are willing to make the experiment of
planting an orchard if there was a nursery
here where they could procure trees, shrubs,
OTTO. What is now most needed is a good
nursery, Amy person who understands the
business could, with Il small outlay and IL
few years labor, make a good thing. Our
horticultural interests cannot flourish as
they should until a good nursery is estab-
lished. The Bitter Root valley has got quite
a start, both in apple trees and shrubs of
small fruits, but the farmers there have lab
ored under considerable disadvantage on
account of having to get trees and cuttings
from Eastern nurseries.
Most of us oan we'll remember the poor
success that our fathers met with in the
Western States SO long as they relied upon
getting their trees from the East. More
than half the trees brought there died in the
summer, or winter killed them, and remark
ably few f1ourished. Before a country can
become a fruit producing region it must
have its own nurseries, as fruit trees must
I've acclimated, whether it be In a cold coun-
try or warm. This has been the only diff
Guilty experienced In Montana. True, there
is a science in enltiyating and pruning an
orchard. The proper locality should be Sc
lected, the soil should be- adapted to the pur-
pose, and, most of all, great care and skill
must be exercised in irrigating, as this will
have great influence in the size and flavor of
the fruit, Neither should the tree or shrub
be kept growing too late in the fall, as it is
more liable to winter kill than would be the
case if allowed to become Try and the tree
harden before cold weather sets in. In view
OF the great importance of the matter, if no
one is willing to engage in the nursery bust
ness ON his own account, wonldit not be well