Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1880-01-01
No.. 7

No. 7
and Touring will not exceed fourteen dollars
per acre. The producer thus realizes net in
come of S2,76o, or about $40 per acre.
Agriculture is different science in Montana
from that in the States. During the first years of
our settlements, owing to the climatic changes
and other vcissitudes of the high latitude of the
Territory, crops were destroyed by frosts and ate
up by grasshoppers. There were some mys-
teries of soil which only solved by expert
ence. The requirements Of irrigation formed
another new feature which needed investigation
All these novelties are now we'll understood and
comprehended. The Montana ranchman can
tell exactly what is necessary to insure large
crops, when and how to irrigate, when to plant
and when to gather. The agricultural statistics
of Montana seem incredible, especially in the
eyes of those who have entertained the belief
that agriculture could not be successfully pur-
sued in region SO far north. They are thus
detailed by Prof. Raymond in his very thorough
report for 1870. He says: According to the
Surveyor Generals report, the Territory contains
100000 acres of agricultural and 6o,ooo,ooo
acres of grazing land" The productions for
the year are, according to the same authority:
Value.
Wheat. $e9n,o"p
Potatoes. LGO,OO0
nay: .......................... W',OOo
Catue ...................... anO,UW
Garden VegeIaDies' 'OV o'oOV
RutterS Cheese Che @ and Mil " - aOGOOS
twill be remembered that thisreport was made
nearly ten years ago, and l regret that I have
not a report of 1873, showing more fully the ex-
cess over the above Whether or not the repeal
of the franking privilege, by the acts of Congress-
has to do with the loss of these valuable items
of general information to the settlers of
the Territory, do not here propose to
discuss. The above exhibit, however, reported
by sworn officer of the Government, presents,
will venture to say, more promising condi-
ton of the husbandry of Montana than was ever
before made of any portion of our country
which had been settled only seven years. The
entire agricultural population of Montana to-day
will not exceed eight thousand. The high
wages demanded by farm laborers has been,
and still is the greatest obstruction to agricultu
raj development that the Territory has expert
enced. Notwithstanding the high prices paid
farm hands there has been cultivated the pres
ent year nearly double the number of acres of
any previous one The Territory has produced
sufficient flour for home consumption for the
past two or three years, though within that
period flour has ranged from three to seven dollars
per hundred pounds. The improvement of the
agricultural facilities of the Territory is rapidly
reducing prices to standard compatible with
true economy. The merchant in his turn has felt
he necessity of great reduction in those ar
icles of importation that enter into every day
Labor, the last to feel and &C
the effects of reduced prices, has for
he first time during the past season begun to re-
;ede from previously established and re-
:ognized rates. In the mining more than
n the agricultural districts this change
has been marked by revival of work
md the inspiration of feeling that the day
# trbulation is over. Immigration alone is the
me thing needful to very full development of
II the elements of our material prosperity.
There is no limit to the confidence Of our citi-
ems in the ultimate greatness of our Territorial
This is demonstrated by the divers-
led forms which enterprise has assumed and is
onstantly carrying out. 1t is not to be denied
hat the certainty of the speedy completion of
ompeting railroads has given both impulse
nd direction to many of the pursuits
ow occupying the attention of the people of
he Territory. The reduction of silver quartz
4 nearly all the silver mining districts in
'rm suitable for transportation has gained great
npetus within the past year. Thousands of
,ns of mineral and bullion will be ready for
nipment when railroads are completed into
lie Territory. Hundreds of people, infatuated
18th the prospect of speedy and easy accumula-
on of fortunes by stock raising and the ready
leans of transportation to certain markets by the
reat thoroughfares, have engaged extensively
that industry. The influence of the railroad
felt in everything. The miller, who few
ears ago would have been content with sim
IN into his mill, because he has no fear of
lrplus or doubt of a market for all the -four he
IN manufacture. The ranchman increases his
rops from similar causes, and the merchant his
ock. There is feeling everywhere through
ut the Territory that Montana is soon to be
rought into near neighborhood with the rest of
le Union, and that her unequaled resources,
hich have lain slumbering for centuries, will
: appreciated by all. The rapid "march of en-
re' is already at our very borders, and we
heerfuly bid it enter through the silver gates
our mountains, by our great rivers and ap-
reaching railroads, to share the rich rewards
lat this peerless land offers to all.
tlno Uock fha Woa+