Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1879-11-20
having turned some of the pioneer burrows

having turned some of the pioneer burrows
of Montana.
That the farmers are prosperous and in
dependent to a greater degree than most
other classes, may be said of every country ;
but it is not wholly due to the advantages
of the calling, but to the practice of self
denial and rigid economy exercised by those
who follow the pursuit. And we feel no
hesitancy in asserting that if the same in
dustry and economy was practiced in other
pursuits, there would be a marked differ
ence in the degree of prosperity exhibited.
Our cotemporary thinks that in all the
states and territories from the pine hills Of
New Hampshire to the base Of the Rocky
mountains, there is not a place where farm
ers are so prosperous as in Montana. This
may be true-we are not prepared to say
but one thing we do know, that Montana
farming is not all sunshine by any means.
On the contrary it is about as precarious as
mining. Our contemporary is seemingly not
very well posted in regard to the difficulties
to be overcome by our farmers. There have
scarcely been three years in the past seven
that the farmers have not had to fight grass
hoppers, the most destructive pest that can
be sent any country. How often has it
happened that thousands of dollars in labor
and seed have been swept away in a few
short hours. Should our farmers indulge
the same recklessness and extravaganza that
is noticeable among other classes, they
would present but a little better showing
than they. Farmers realize the position
they occupy. They know their sustenance
must come from the soil and if it fails them
they do without many of the necessaries, to
say nothing of the %luxuries, until they can
afford them, and it CRATES rather harshly
upon them to be compelled to maintain a
privileged class. The Miner stoutly main
tains that it does not intend to advocate the
exemption of the miners from taxation, but
uses every available argument to that pur-
pose, assuming to argue from a farmers
standpoint, which to do successfully it will
be under the painful necessity of studying
the farmers interest more closely, and ac-
quainting itself more thoroughly with the
trials and difficulties of a farmers lite. We
do not speak from observation, but practl-
cal knowledge. If it were absolutely nee
essary tor the farmers to foster other inter-
ests to. make a market for what they pro-
duce, it would be we'll to exempt manutac-
turers. No section has better facilities for
cheap power. Then why ship our tons of
raw material? Why not have it manufac-
turel at home? In fact, when it comes to
this, let the farmer bear the burden of local
government, for all the rest of the world
are consumers. Though where is the JUS
tice In asking this of Montana farmers?
They must hencetorth compete with Utah,
and the price of labor and the difficulties of
cropping are to cut no. fl CURE. But another
year and our markets will be ruled by in
fluences beyond our border, and the farmer
who hopes to have Montana alone, for a
market will wake up to realize his mistake.
The cost of transportation from our remote
valleys to some of our principal markets is
now equal to the cost Of transportation
from Utah, and shall u farmers be taxed
for the benefit of other territories, or will
they be given. an equal show? The only
iudicious course to pursue is to give all
classes an equal show before the law, and
let those who by their energy, economy and
self-denial succeed enjoy their deserved. re-
ward.
THE Frontier Imder, in a long article in