Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1878-01-17
SMITH R1vER-1Ts FLocKs AND HERDS.
NUMBER SIX.

'HfSH3 ~ VII lfC CdSO W tiIC bClb IllOun-
tainS aud on the west by Smith river. en-
closing an area of five by eight miles of fine
land. 1t is smooth and nearly level. the as
cent from the river to the foot of the noun
tain being gentle and just enough for easy
irrlgating. Two-thirds of this tract may be
safely estimated as good agricultural lands.
The soil is deep. mellow and clear of stone.
and grows as rich a coat of grass as cal, be
seen in any part of the Territory. The
adaptability of this land to agricultural pur-
poses was not fully demonstrated until the
past season. Tie potatoes, peas, wheat.
oats and barely produced upon Messrs.
Cooper and Proctor's farms that are located
near the south boundary of this tract was
equal to the productions Of most other dis
trlcts of Montana. In describing the boun-
d;'rles OF this large tract of country | neg
lccted 10 mention that it is bound on the
south by the east branch OF Smith river. and
on whose opposite bank there is a similar
stretch of country fully as good and as ex-
%tensive, nearly all unoccupied. The south
branch of Smith river heads in the Belt
range between the north and south pronys
of the Muscleshell, and it's course from the
foot OF the mountain to its junction, with
the south branch is nearly west. Upon its
north bank and a little ways back near the
foot of the mountain are some excellent To-
cations for farms and stock ranches. The
first Of which to he mentioned is presided
over by Thomas Cooper. Having satisfied
himself Of the adaptability of his land to the
raising of grain is enclosing a large tarin for
cultivation next season. He already has
his place we'll improved with good stables
and corrals. and his dwelling is roomy COM
Portable and above the average for bache-
iOrS.
A short distance from Cooper's and near
the bank Of a stream, a new location has re-
Gently been made, and is being improved by
A. Kent, who designs farming and black
smithilg.
Next above here and a little ways back is
the home OF B. K. Sherman. This place is
one of the oldest settledstock ranches in this
section. He has a large and most excellent
meadow enclosed, good stables, sheds and
%corfals, a pleasantly located home and a
place good IN every respect. He devotes his
attention mainly to cattle raising. His herd
number several hundred and are large and
of a high grade.
Trinity Springs. which are'about a mile
above Mr.. Sherman's place, are at present
occupied by r. M. Hanson, another of
Smith rivers cattle men. The largest of
these springs flow from the foot OF the
mountain IN n,o s.ol,,n,n rs - ~" VT 900 ;,ol,na
miners measure. The water is pure and
fresh, but a trife too warm TO be palatable.
There is considerable fall from it to where it
joins the river, and it could be made to turn
considerable machinery. Though the wa
ter is q little too warm for a good dairy, the
place is a splendid one tor the stock busi-
ness. His and Sherman's herds are the only
ones that run upon this branch of Smith
river, and they have a large and uncxceiied
range. Mr.. Hanson will probably locate
permanently in this vicinity the coming
umner
On the south side Of the valley opposite
Trinity Springs, a tributary stream of some
prominence, because of its strange name.
Willow creek, carries the crystal waters
from Castle heights into Smith river. Upon
the bank of this stream is to be found the
solitary sheep ranch Of the Smith Bros. g.
Mcdonald. Two years ago these gentle
man purchased 900 ewes in idaho and drove
them to this place, and since that time the
flock has been in charge of Mr.. Mcdonald,
while the Smith Bros. have given most of
fhnie TINA tn p,inior ny,or,tso,o IL, HNhn,cp