Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1880-01-01
written for the Herald
Ian. !! TIE SHINING MOUNTAINS.
The Future Home for Millions
Of Freemen.
BY JOHN POTTER.

The agricultural resources of Montana, never
fully comprehended by her own people until
within the past year or two, are as yet entirely
unappreciated by that great class, both in
Europe and America, whose interest it is fully
to understand them. AS in mining operations
the Territory suffers because of the early mis-
takes of the people, SO in matters of agriculture
it suffers from mistaken views of climate, char
acter of soil, and capacity for production. 1t is
always difficult to eradicate from the mind the
first impression it forms of country; yet, rea-
soning from analogy, it would have been strange
had the first settlers of Montana found it to cor
respond in character with their views of its bar
renness and insalubrity There is hardly a
range of mountains in the world which is not
enriched by extensive valleys capable of the
highest cultivation. Especially is this true of
tent north of New Mexico. In Montana all of
the great rivers of the Atlantic and Pacific
slopes take their rise. The Missouri is here
formed by the union of the Jefferson, Madison
and Gallatin, each of which, for many miles be-
fore it unites with the other, passes through a
valley of great fertility and beauty A portion
of the Missouri is characterized by the same fea-
ture. On the Pacific side the two great forming
streams of the Columbia, the Snake or Lewis
Fork on the south, and Clark's Fork on the
North, traverse extensive portions of the Ter
ritory and receive contributions from innumera-
BILE small streams, each of which passes through
a valley of surprising richness.
To form an idea of the extent of these valleys
one must have some conception of the magni-
tude of the Territory itself. 1t covers surface
at least four times the size of Ohio. One fourth
part of this surface is valley land, full one-half
the remainder grazing land, and the balance is
Nearly two-thirds of the Terri
tory afford perpetual pasture facilities for
raising stock. The grasses which cover the
foothills and valleys are more nutritious than
any of the cultivated grasses of the States. The
bunch-grass, superior to all others, is per-
rennial 1t shoots from the root in the spring,
before the frost disappears, and clothes the en-
tire country, except the mountains, in vesture
of emerald 1t grows in small punches, close,
fine, and never to great height The stalk,
unlike that of tame grass, is solid, and the head
is well filled with small, solid Seeds full of nu-
triment. Exposed to the summer sun, and un-
affected by frequent rains or early frosts, it be-
gins to ripen about midsummer, and in the early
fall is thoroughly cured, afording standing
and which unites with all the qualities of good
hay the fattening principles of oats and corn. 1t
mparts rich, delicious favor to beef and NUT
on, and stock of all kinds, which feed entirely |
lpon it during the winter, are in much better |
condition than any stock that is not stall-fed in
he States. Careful herding to prevent them
rom straying is all the attention that cattle re-
luire summer or winter. Even the custom of
putting up few tons of hay to meet contingen-
lies is gradually falling into disuse. During my
esidence of seventeen years in Montana there
lave been but two seasons that cattle, thus fed,
allied to afford as good beef as the stall fed cat
lie of the Western States during the winter
months. The business of stock raising is as
uming immense proportions large number
# our citizens have no other business, and all
hose thus engaged are acquiring fortunes. The in
rease in stock is rapid, and the cost of keeping
comparatively trifing. A few of the largest
perators have, for the first time, within the
ast two or three years introduced the improved
loods of cattle, which at great expense have
cen secured from The best stock herds in
kentucky.
The certainty of its results has rendered stock
aising favorite pursuit in Montana. Large
erds of cattle, horses and sheep roam the broad
asture lands of the settled portions of the Ter
tory. Young men and many miners, who
ct few hundred dollars together, find no
lore profitable investment than cattle and sheep,
'hich they place in charge of ranchmen and
Ike no further care about them. Before they
re aware of it they each owna herd. They
re rich The transportation of fat cattle to
EASTERN markets will be one of the most pro-
uctive sources of income derived from Mon
ina by the Northern Pacific Railroad, now ap-
roaching our eastern border.