Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1886-12-18
BOTANY IN MONTANA
The Progressive Spirit of the Science.
Something About the Adyantag-
Is the knowledge Of it Gives
the Modern Agrieultnrist.
Written for the Tribune:

Written for tie Tribune:
New countries cannot be suddenly de-
veloped. Their rise must be to a certain
extent. gradual. Numerous external things
aid in this formative process, Chief among
which may be mentioned commercial en-
terprise. religious growth, a coming togeth-
or of the educated and refined, resulting
in 4 softening and elevating influence
upon the community at large, abundant
aducational facilities and last but not least,
earnest effort, Investigation and application
in all departments Of science.
Montana has something substantial to
show in most of these directions; III n
only, perhaps, does she seem to be back
wark. viz: in that branch of science called
Botany. Still, we must do her justice by
saving that she is rapidly gaining ground
even in this direction. Able men are now
in her midst who are working hard Tor
the cause. And. as the territory Is gaining
ranown. hotanists from other states come
10 study up our flora. Although much
has been done of late years, still a larger
proportion of work remains to be accom-
nlished. But little has been done in the
rruDto1a,aia and many additions must be
made to the list of PhRnogam5a now pos
sossed. DIR, Coulter's "Manual of Rocky
Mountain Botany" published last year, is
a great help to our workers. Z. Lanson
Scribner, who in 1888 came through the
territory in connection with the northern
tra%ns-continental survey in the Department
Of Economic Botany did some excellent
work. Mr.. Scribner turned his attention
more particularly to our native forage
nlants and noted 112 different species Of
grasses. most of which are OF immense
value to stockInen and agriculturallsts.
Other eminent botanists, all belonging to
other states, have done much Tor US ana II
is time our local collectors showed some
zeal and enterprise.
So far as we know this vast territory OF
1880 square miles does not contain a
single club or society devoted to the sci
ence and not a single paper or journal That
treats upon the subject. Perhaps some OF
our most useful local workers are t. Koch
ESQ. of Bozeman, Rev. f. D. Kelsey and
Prof. G. c. Swallow of Helena, and Robt.
s. Williams of Great Falls. Prof. Swallow
published a list of our trees, shrubs and
vines under the title Of Forestry" III a
pamphlet on Montana for the Centennial
Exposition last year, so far as they had
come under his notice. The present win
ter gave a popularized list on the same
subject, $50 far as he had seen for himself
in Northern Montana) which appeared in
the TRIBUNE of August 18th. Since that
time many names have been added to our
Forestry list, by our W botanists. NO
list of Montana plants has yet been at
tempted within our knowledge and per
haps it is rather early to expect one. we
want more workers all over the territory.
All Of our botanists would be only too glad
to help beginners, in the way OF naming
of specimens and the giving OF advice and
information. Many of our young people
have SO much spare time they do not know
what to do with it. Right here is a field
work that will afford them much limo
cent pleasure and enjoyment, to say moth
Of the unconscious but steady mental
cultivation and refinement that must ensue.
Not only this, but the exercise of climbing
the mountains and strolling in the valleys
or on the prairies, breathing the pure air
and bathing in the golden sunlight will
give a vitality and freshness to the physical
being not to be aespised. We are glad to
say that some Of our best educational in
,titutions are introducing this science into
their course Of studies. Notable among
them may be mentioned the Deer Lodge
at Deer Lodge, the University
and the Helena Business College,
10Th of Helena. We shall feel that 9 step
las been taken in the right direction when
his subject is also introducedintescu r COM
non schools.
Botany has donesmore for the farmers
han the most Of them know. We're it not
u Meehan's, Herry's and others who,
professional seedsmen, are
borough botanists, where would all u
inc varieties il fruits and vegetables
:ome from? These men to bring about