The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-10-03
MILL MEETING.

The meeting of the business men,
farmers, and others interested in the es-
Enlistment of a Touring mill at this
point last Saturday night at the Grand
Union, was success in every particular.
While it could not be expected that ev-
cry one interested in the project could
assist by their presence, yet a large at
tendance was secured, partly, no doubt,
by the efforts of the RIVER PRESS in
that direction. Those present were very
enthusiastic in their belief as to the I'LL
innate success Of the undertaking, and
all showed a disposition to put their
| shoulders to the wheel and do whatever
is in their power to help matters along.
From the ranchers present the promised
of 872 acres of wheat was secured for the
ensuing year. This acreage would pro-
baby yield about 20, 900 bushels Of wheat
that could be spared for marketing.
But this is not heal what is wanted as it
will take between SO, 900 to 5000 bushels
to supply the -four used yearly now in
this market, to say nothing of the in
creased demand every year caused by
the certain growth in population. There
should be four times this acreage of
wheat promised to the enterprise, or
about {, 500 acres, as on the larger scale
this is milled the cheaper and better it
can be done, and a market can be guar
anteed for that amount of flour. The
gentlemen appointed to work up the
several portions Of the county and as
certain the number of acres that would
be raised by the farmers Of that vicinity,
should be prompt and thorough in their
work, as upon this first or initiatory
step depends in a great measure the
contemplated mill. Every grain raiser,
if possible, in the county, should be in
terviewed in regard to this matter, and
not only that but the subject brought
to his attention in as forcible a manner
as possible that it is a matter of vital
Importance to every agriculturist in the
county. The last thirty days has dem
onstrated to every thoughtful man that
DE- VIC lldfC CAUClINCA IA VI ~
grain sown in the last year SO must we
increase the variety Of crops grown. La
no other direction can be seen as good
an opening for a sure market as Their
will be for wheat when a good Touring
mill has been established at Benten.
The demand for flour is one also that
can not remain stationary, but is GER
tain to increase every year and the per-
centage Of increase is bound to be large
at that.
The probable throwing open Of the
Blackfoot reservation next winter by
congress and the completion OF a rail
road to this point, either from Helena
or Billings, would double the population
of this city and county also inside OF
two years. This would double the con
sumption Of -four and consequently the
demand for wheat to grind.
1T may lie urged by some that Mon
tana flour can never compete i'll quality
and consequently in price with Mime
apolis or Moorhead -four, that this diff
ference in quality will more than com
pensate for the extra cost of Transports
ton and consequently the growing ane
milling Of wheat here would be carried
on at a loss as we cannot yet compete
with the east as regards quality OF sol
and cost Of labor. But this argumen'
must be a fallacy, as the success Of flour
inc mills in other parts Of the territory
clearly shows. As Mark Twain says
sIt is no use arguing against success =
that speaks for itself and does not need
any argument to convince a business
man Of its feasibility. Why is Nelson