Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-09-26

rigorous cold in the mountains, where }
the snow falls often to fifty feet
in depth, generates sufficient heat TO
keep the grass green in the valleys
where cattle and horses live much o.
the year on the wild pastures.
have often observed tho snow banks
in the gorges, fringed on the borders
with many beautiful flowers, and III
sects taking refuge beneath their !uXu-
RANT foliage. Horses do better y" tic
wild pastures IL winier than cattl".
Horses paw into the snow till they
reach the green grass, which has been
long covered by garment better and
| warmer than wool. This is one reason
| that cattle need more attention than
horses in the mountains.
The soil, rs general rule. IL too
cold, in many parts OF Montana, 1"
country for the "cOrn cracker -
People seem to get along here quite as
| well, and have as fat stock as where
corn is raised. Barley, wheat and
oats are good crops. The soil has
every element of fertility, but IN
| MANY places is lacking in heat and
moisture.
The soil is so porous and at high alti-
ludes, evaporation SO rapid, that irrl-
CATION is generally necessary. This
year is all exception, The continued
warm weather and excessive rains
during the past season, did not re-
quire much artificial means to produce
an excellent crop of cereals, potatoes
and grass 1t is no trouble to irrigaie
and but few farmers here would be will
ing to exchange their means OF watering
the lands, for like place inthe states
where no irrigation is necessary. trri-
CATION has many advantages. There
| is no risk in the season, that is, wet orX
dry. No chances of wash-outs; no J
grain spoiled in the stack lin fact,
YOU have the water when and where {
you need it in any desired quantity.
Statistics show the average OF cultiva-r r,
ted crops by irrigation 10 be muchi
greater than in the states where the
farmers depend upon the rains. The
cereal yield is immense. Oats and
wheat are said to yield over one hun
dred bushels per acre. The barley
! crop is always sure and excellent.
In my next letter will speak of the
history and development of Montana
Mining interests precluded me from
writing you last week. Here per-
son hardly knows what will detain
him moment hence. The public
, schools of Butte commenced with a
corps of twenty-three teachers, last
Monday. The population has increas-
ed so rapidly since last spring that
, several buildings will immediately be
erected to accommodate the school popu-
lation The schools are fostered by
; the people and literally supported by.
taxation, but, l think, about all the
, churches of this wonderful Butte arc
. supported by missionary funds, raised\
by the poor people Of the states. The
gospel preached to thepoor, r,iDvariably
D the world over. Here, as elsewhere,
the rich are too busy to attend church.
4 The opera, the race course and the
d gambling table have many devotees
g Although money can be loaned as
o high as so per cent. the crusty, ole
time bachelors hardly realize that a.
: enough and would augment theii
I income in this way. Many men, like
children, get spoiled. The enormous =
II prrcs of twenty years ago, wher\
;, com.non wages were ten dollars day
are nui forgotten. The quickest wa,
that You can insult an old timer is tt
offer him goods ut reduced price
He never beats on the price but has al
abhOrrence tor any man who is labor
ing at reduced wages. But
must close, for fear of wearying you
st readers with my heightened sketch 0
It the wonderful land where:
al On endless mountain ranges,
Where evergreen ne'er changes,
n The cattle roam!
II Here is no stinted measure,
Green turns to golden treasure.
II At harvest home.
LAFAYETTE BOY.