Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-12-27

30, 900 farmers with good bio farms
OF these only about 1000, or one in
fifty has vet been taken. Here is room
for the million. As to the character of
the land in the Yellowstone Valley
will say that as fine vegetables and
grain as | ever saw have been grown
there. One farmer last year raised
1000 bushels of oats on ninety acres,
arsd another 400 bushels of oats on
twelve acres. The average Weld of
wheat in Montana is twenty-five bushels
per acre, though thirty, forty, and fifty
are often raised. In the cases given
irrigation was not used Irrigation is
not an essential, but crops can be about
doubled by irrigating the land. The
numerous streams and low banks of
the rivers, with their rapid fall, make
irrigation comparatively easy and
cheap process.
VARIED INTERESTS.
OF the whole OF Montana it maybe said
that no other State and Territory con-
tains such vast or diversified interests.
The great Territory contains 5000, 900
acres of land, of which 100000 are
susceptible of being cultivated, 4,000,-
900 are grazing lands, $4,000, 900 tim
Der, 100000 acres, contain gold,
silver, coal, copper, iron, and lead,
and 22,000 200 are mountains and
timber 1t would be impossible to
conceive of a state more evenly balan-
ced, or one better equipped for future
usefulness. | put the yield of Montana
ultimately second to no other State in
the Union, not even Illinois. The gold
and silver mines of Montana will
yield, when fully developed, $25.
900 per annum; the grazing lands,
$25, 900. 900 in beef; agriculture, $780,
O0O,O timber, coal, iron, lead, zinc,
salt, fish, and furs, $25, 900; horses
$5,OOO,O 900; sheep and wool, $40, OOO,
900. Enormous as this estimate may
seem, it is perfectly practicable; and
when we remember the vast size of
Montana it will no longer be a wonder.
[ expect to see Montana producing
$50, 600, 900 of wares annually before
1900 comes in. The yield of gold and
silver this year will be not far from
s., 900, 900 or about one-fifth of her
capacity; and when we remember that
Montana since 1868 has produced
$500, 900, 900 in precious metals, we
will no longer be astOnished at an
annual production of $25, 600, 900 in
1900.
WONDERFUL GROWTH OF THE CATTLE
BUSINESS.
Three years ago there were not &
dozen head of beeYeS on theTOngue RiY-
er; last year there were 80, 900 head, and
this year $4,000. Next year there will
be $50, 900 and the year following
$780, 900 head. The capacity of the
grazing grounds tributary to Miles
City at the mouth of Tongue River is
about 500, 900 head.
MILLIONS IN MINES.
It is probable that the richest mines
yet discovered on this continent will be
found in Montana within the next five
years. think there is more gold and
silver on the head of CIark's Fork
alone than was found in the whole
of Nevada. These mines are as vet
undeveloped, but there is a lode there
richer and more extensive than the
famous Comstock. Mining and stock
raising in Montana have hardly yet
been begun. Wait few years and see
what we shall see IN that direction. L
am always enthusiastic about the West,
you will say. Well, so [ am, but [ will
say this for the West: [ never yet
made q promise for her that she did
not redeem twofold, SO of Illinois, so
of Iowa, so of Nebraska and Minnesota;
and | am not afraid to speak out for
Montana, for she is richer in resources
than any Of her sisters, and will redeem
almost any promise made for her. If
were young man this is the Territory
where [ would put down my stake and
grow up with the country. | think the
growth will be more marvellous than in
any other section of the United States,
and a man in no matter of what kind
of business will have to grow and
develop himself mighty fast to keep up
with the growth and development of
the country.