The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-28
for the HOLIDAY RIVER PRESS.
SMITH RIVER VALLEY.
A Graphic Description Of this Stock
Growers Paradise.
Montana's Saratoga Touched Up IN
Glowing Oolors.

MOuLaud y odldlOSh LUAtuCA W -
Glowing Oolors.
Among the first stock growing districts OF
Montana is Smith River Valley-a valley
which has probably chronicled as many sue
cesses and fewer failures, in the stock and
woolgrowing industries, as any region, OF the
same extent, in all the vast domain Of the
Rocky Mountains. It is situated between
the two Belt ranges Of mountains and is
about forty miles in length, and from seven
to fifteen miles in width, and has q growth
Of bunch grass unsurpassed by any valley in
Montana.
Innumerable bright, bubbling streams from
the snowy heights meander their way through
natural meadows to the laughing young river,
affording plenty Of water for stock on every
range and an abundance for agricultural pur-
poses. A number of these streams have
proved to be rich in placer mines, a large
area Of which is yet unexhausted and yields
thousands annually to it's lucky owners.
Numerous gold, silver, and copper bearing
lCbGcs GOLlC VI Vh41A p4oSPCcVT S1ASA ~ eAo
best in the Territory, crop out along its
mountain slopes east, west, north and
south. The famous Barker Mining district
lies forty miles to the north Of White Sui
phur Springs, the natural center of the val
ley. The Birch Greek district is but nine
miles to the west. Copperopolis, famous for
its rich copper and silver bearing ores, is but
seventeen miles to the east while to the
south, at a distance of fifteen miles, is found
a large number of copper leads which crop
out for miles over the grassy hills. But its
wealth of bunch grass has so far ecllpsed
everything else that stock growing has al
ways been the leading industry, and though
it is now thirteen years since its first occu-
pancy by domestic stock, its productions OF
bunch grass, instead of being impaired by
constant pasturing by sheep and cattle, is
equal and by some claimed to be superior to
its primitive state.
This valley may properly be called the
birthplace of sheep husbandry in Montana.
One of the first aocks brought to the Terri
tory was located here, which placed it in
the lead. This prestige in the wool industry
it maintains to this day, the last years crop
having amounted to over 800, 900 pounds,
bringing in Q revenue to the valley of no less
than 300, 900. It was once one Of the lead
ng valleys Of the Territory in dairylng, but
the rapid increase Of the dairy herds has
changed the %dairyman's vocation to the more
lucrative life Of stock grossing. It's beef
neyerssfalls to command s2e sop ~.gi2es, Whetn-
er disposed OTTO loeal butchers 81 zsAatefu
drovers. Il offers the best i&;a s-:.sa;er. H.ai
early spring beef that is to be fooad III any
valley in the northwest.
Horse growing which a few years ago was,
regarded as hazardous On account of the liza
bility Of the valley to Indian raiders, now
that danger has ceased, is fast coming to the
front and bids fair in a few years to be num-
bered among the leading industries. The ag-
ricultural resources, owing tits altitude, have
never until within the last few years beer re-
garded as frst-class, but the success obtained
during the very unfavorable season of 1880
when other valleys, whose agricultural advan-
tages had never been questioned, were par
tial failures, is sufficient evidence of its ad-
agitation to cultivation. The cereals and all
kinds Of hardy vegetables are grown without
difficulty or extra care. Even last year oat
that weighed 40 pounds to the bushel. Wheat
also yielded well. and the vegetable crop was
very superior. The potatoes were of q most
excellent quality, being dry and mealy when
cooked. The cabbage were large and firm,
and specimen turnips and rutabagas weigh
ing from ten to fifteen pounds were numer-
Gus. The bench lands Of the valley are
nearly all susceptible of being farmed. The
soil is rich, strongly i~mpregnated with lime,
and produces wonderfully without deteriora-
ton, as the carbonates in its composition de-
compose annually by cultivation and expos
ure to the elements. These fertile lands have
only commenced to be taken. The work Of
the ~husbandman is in its infancy and thou
ands of acres of fine grain lands and thou
sands of acres of luxuriant meadows are yet
unfenced and unclaimed. The altitude Of
the valley is about 5, 900 feet, and its climate
is wonderfully varied; the summers are cool
and delightful, gentle zephyrs sweep playful
" over hill and vale making the vast expanse
of Yerdure roll in green rolicking waves like
ocean pillows; the nights are cool and during
the Warmest season the people sleep comfort
ably under blankets. The valley is almost
wholly free from mosquitoes, buffalo gnats