The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-07-06
"LEr OUR LIGHT so sHlNE.u

"LEr OUR LIGHT so SHINE"
Responding to = sentiment at Great Fall
the other evening, Mr.. Paris Gibson CAV
utterance to q fact that we sometimes los
sight Of in Montana. He said substantially
1.-THE resource that survives the centuries
that IL ~pre-eminent in all s%elfsustaininl
lands, is agriculture. I sometimes think TIL
editors Of Montana, in their zeal to promote
the mining and stock growing industries o
the Territory and invite capital and labor IL
that direction, almost ignore the agricultu'
raj possibilities and a~ctuaiities of Montan.
and let the tens of thousands of desirable
home seekers who are transported through
our Territory from east to west pass by
without an intimation of the splendid in
ducements Montana offers to farming
settlers. I think you would be doing the
emigrants aud the Territory . great good BY
giving this matter more attention" Now,
there is . great deal in this. King Solomon's
mines are worked out, but we venture to say
the corn fields that were yielding %sustenance
to mankind when be entertained the Queen
of Shebs are more productive now. Mr..
Gibson is probably . large land owner; per-
haps has lands to sell; but that does not de-
tract from the facts, and there are millions
of arabic acres yet unoccopied. Wheat is
growing on the uplands of the Great Falls
region to day as we'll without irrigation ss it
is doing here with it. This is an exception
ally wet season, and We were there at q time
to see it at best advantage, bnt we were as
sured that even in the exceptionally dry sea-
son two years ago, as good grain was grown
in that vicinity IS would be in the agricul-
tural States under like conditions. And yet
sons of drouth occur. Travellers over the
Manitoba road informed US it traverses =
belt of country much superior to that Of the
Yellowstone Valley, and although yet
comparatively unoccupied, apparently sus-
ceptible of the highest cultivation.
Incidental to this, Mr.. Phil E. Evans, who
last week visited the Bitter Root Valley,
states to US his belief that it alone is capable
of supporting = population Of $4,000 people
a. many as we had . few years ago in the
entire Territory-and that there are plenty
Of ranches there yet untaken IS good ~
those that are occupied. Some portion of
them may be pine lands, but the timber is
valuable, ~clearings in pine are easily made,
there is plenty Of water for irrigation and
grain aud fruits will grow readily.
This relates to but two of the many val
legs in Montana. We call them occupied"
because those lands are generally taken
up which can DO cheaply irrigated by
continuous flowing tributary streams all
through the summer. But, aside from those
regions where irrigation is unnecessary, we
have vast areas close to railroads and local
markets that within q few years will I'M
doubtedly be brought under the highest cul-
by reservoiring the waters of these
when they are high and not needed
for irrigation and drawing upon these reser-
voirs when the streams are low and the days
hot. Private enterprise has demonstrated
The practicability and economy of this sys-
tenn; its redemption Of otherwise valueless
lands; its vast increase of the cultivable area
and its superiority over entire dependence |
On depleted streams. Even the government |
is looking with favor on this advance in ag-
r%icultural economies, and, if not this year,
certainly before long, will encourage this
of non. cultivable lands by direct
hid or minimized prices for them. Beside
this, our larger streams are almost I'm.
;ouched by the larger bitches That capital
would be we'll repaid for constructing to
:over lands nov unwatereu. We believe,
therefore,, it is safe to say not one.sixth of
he lands in Montana susceptible of cultiva-
under conditions that exist or that can
made to exist are now occupied and cul-
ivated. We believe, too, these lands, close
o good markets, afford more remunerative
ields for agricultural and pastoral emigrants
han any they can obtain elsewhere in the
at like expenditure.
Montana looks to statehood with the in
creased expense of maintaining a State
governments. We need Increased population
md wealth to maintain it without being bur
We need increase OF products,
hat our home productions may be sufficient
or our home consumers, and the best time
or agriculturists to establish themselves is
While the mines, mills and smelters are
lied with consumers. We are to-day ex-
gold, silver and copper, and import.
ng bread and meat. Is not Mr.. Gibson's
digestion good, that the press of Montana,
y if need be the authorities of Montana,
put up a sign to the agricultural
ome-seekers who fill our western bound
rains daily? montana offers the best in.
ucements of any land in the West to those
gricultural and pastoral emigrants who
ave a little means to start with, healthy
odies, earnest will, industrious and frugal
abits and a desire to make a home and bet.
their condition." It will better Montana
nd it will better them. They are a perma-
ent people and will add to its prosperity,
lille being benefited themselves. We be-
in putting up the notice.