The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-09-12
Choteau County's Exhibit.

The independent comments as follows
upon the excellent exhibit made by this
county at the territorial fair: lowing
to the short space Of time in which it
was collected, the remarkably fine ex-
hibit from Choteau county deserves
special mention, and great credit is due
to Messrs. Sullivan and Hirshberg for
their excellent judgment in making the
selections. The mineral specimens, num-
bering one hundred, chiefly from the
Barker, Warm Springs and Montana
districts, are of very fine grade and
make an interesting and handsome dis
play. The most important mines repre-
sented are the Silver Bell, Wright &
Edwards, Meeks, May & Edna, Barker,
Highly & Price, Lynch & Conway, Ben
ton, Pittsburg, Bass, Vanderbilt, and
Spruce, of the Barker mining district;
the Homestake, Queen of the Hills, Hell
ena, O'Brien, Fitzpatrick, Hillsdale,
Yellow Jacket, Sunny South, South
Carolina, Minnehaha, Montana Belle,
Blue Cloud, Massachusetts, Oregon,
Green & WeatherwaX, and Mountain
Chief, OF the Montana mining district;
and the Sir Walter Scott, Collar. and
North Pacific, Of the Maiden mining
district Besides the minerals contain
ing the precious metals are some large
specimens of good quality Of coal and
coke from the coal beds in the vicinity
of Fort Benton, among which may be
mentioned the mines Of Deep creek,
Whoop Up, and Belt creek. There are
also some specimens of gypsum and mica
from the Barker district, and sandstone
from James Arnoux's ranch, eighteen
miles from Benton. Their display Of
grain is also exceedingly fine, showing
remarkably good grain, both in the
sheaf and thresheds that was grown on
the high bench lands without irrigation.
There were also several excellent SAM
Piles of Choteau county wool. The array
Of vegetables was sufficient to excite ad
miration from all, and consisted of an
assortment of cabbages zone alone weigh
ing thirty pounds), extra large potatoes
and turnips from HighWood onions
grown from the seed, and many other
kinds indigenous to the Choteau clim-
ate. IF, upon such short notice, Choteau
can bring such an exhibit to our terri
torial fair, it will be to her interest in
the future to arrange for her display
some time beforehand, when she can
show to the rest of the territory what
agricultural possibilities she possesses.
We hope other counties will follow her
example hereafter, which will not only
assist in making the fair a success, but
Indicate to those who visit us the pro-
ductiveness of Montana's soil. There
were also fine specimens of corn and
melons in their collection. Mr.. Will G.
Riddle is assisting the committee in rep
resenting Choteau county,"
The agricultural display is larger and
quite as fine as ever before seen in the
hall, although there is yet month G.
growing weather. One feature Of tfM
exhibit in this department, which eI
cites general interest and remark, is tN
splendid display of cereals and vegey
bles grown near Benton without irrig
ton. The straw of the grain is qu
short and the heads corresponding
diminished in length, but the berr
firm and very heavy. The exhibit il
creditable in appearance that many
be encouraged to try the experimen
raising grain and vegetables upon 10
higher bench lands which have bd
considered unfit for agriculture I'm
covered by sure supply of waite
Miner.