Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1880-01-01

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lively new Territory. There are millions of
acres of land in our foothills which are good
for nothing else, and which will afford fcc1 fol
millions of cattle and sheep for century to
come.
Not less promising Or important are the facil-
tiles for supporting large and successful farm
ing population. Indeed, it may be safely as
sumed that agriculture is to form, and from the
very nature of things must always be, a leading
pursuit of Montana. 1t is that which will ulti-
mately make the mines more productive than
either those of Colorado or Nevada, or indeed
any other portion of the continent. In agricul-
tural opportunities Montana is singularly fortu
nate. Her valley system exceeds by more than
half that of any other mountainous region in
the world. The valleys are more numerous,
larger, and favored with more abundant natural
advantages for the highest cultivation. On the
east side of the Rocky Mountains there are, be-
sides the immense central valley of the Yellow
stone, and the valleys of its tributaries, as yet
but partially settled, the Gallatin, Madison, Jef
ferson, Missouri, Beaverhead, Nuscleshell and
Judith, all of which are of grand acreage, COM
prising altogether an agricultural territory two
thirds the size of New England, and full half
as much more territory susceptible of cultiva-
ton, divided into large number of basins and
! smaller valleys. On the west side of the Rocky
Range there are the large valleys of the Deer
Lodge, Bitter Root, Jocko, Horse Plains,
| Thompson's Fork and Clark's Fork of the Co.
lumbia, besides many smaller ones.
All this valley region is supplied with abund-
ance Of water for irrigation by The streams that
intersect II. Each declivity of the mountain has
a climate peculiar to itself. The west side is
favored with dews and rain. Frost does not
visit it as early in fall spring as the east side
Some crops mature better than in the eastern
valleys-such as corn, tomatoes and melons
In all the great elements of profitable agricul-
ture, however, especially in the production of
wheat, rye, oats, barley, and the root crops gen.
orally, there is but little difference in the char
acter of the cultivatible lands on either side of
the Main Range.
The average yield of wheat has been thus far
forty bushels to the acre. Some few fields in the
Gallatin valley have produced as high as eighty
bushels to the acre. The weight will average
sixty five pounds to the standard bushel. 1t has
never yet been injured by chinch- bug, weavil,
army worm, fly or rust The berry is well filled,
plump, and equal to that produced in Western
Canada The White Tome placL Co ,rJ rI,b
are the favorite varieties sown, and have proved
the most prolific and profitable of any yet
planted. ,..# ... ..-...s -..
Barley is one Of the most remunerative crops
raised in Montana. 1t commands very high
price and finds ready sale. 1t yields about sew
enty bushels to the acre and weighs seven
pounds above the standard measure. 1t is used
for the manufacture of beer, and also in lieu of
corn for fattening hogs, producing much
sweeter pork, though not so solid. 1t usually |
finds ready sale at the granary from one and
half to three cents per pound. The average |
yield of oats per acre may safely be estimated |
at sixty bushels and the weight at forty pounds,
being largely in excess of standard measure
ment. The Norway and Surprise varieties are
the favorites, as they yield more and are heavier
than other qualities. Of these varieties
many OF our farmers have raised one hundred
bushels per acre. The heads are we'll filled |
many of which measure twenty six inches in
length, the grain of which is much larger than
the Polish or common varieties.
Rye is almost native to the soil, yields sixty
bushels to the acre, and over-weighs more than
other grains. A very superior quality of rye
called the "Hoopes' variety" from the fact that
it was first produced by two brothers of that
name in the Boulder valley, has thus far super
,eded all other qualities in Montana. 1t yields
4 berry larger and longer than the largest wheat
The flour manufactured from it is nearly as
white as the best wheat -four, and contains all
The gluten and nourishment of the best rye. It
finds ready sale and commands high prices.
All these grains are irrigated twice while
growing, once when the stalk is about two
inches in height and again when the first joint is
fully formed. Further irrigation, except in sea
sons of extraordinary heat, is unnecessary. The
process of irrigation is very simple and attended
with little labor. One man can attend to sixty
acres of wheat, which will yield, in good sea-
son, 5000 bushels, equal to 1900 bags of -four
Of 100 pounds each, which may ordinarily be
calculated to sell for three dollars per bag,
yielding an aggregate of $1,000. The cost of
seed, sowing, irrigation, harvesting, threshing