Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1888-08-18
PROGRESS OF MONTANA.

perity. Her resources have become
known and accessible. In railroads, she
is provided with trunk line from east to
west and with two others, the Manitoba
and Montana Central, which traverse the
territory for $50 miles, opening up re-
gions which contain great mineral wealth
as we'll as millions of acres of fertile land
which may be acquired easily under the
liberal land laws of the United States.
Instead of remnants of the public lands,
from which the best has been selected,
Montana offers the young farmer his
choice from millions Of acres on which
he will easily find tracts adapted to every
branch Of agriculture as well as those
kindred pursuits, such as stock raising,
wool growing and horse breeding.
In tillage Montana is making great
strides. Her cities and mining camps
provide home market for the products
of the field and dairy. Her ranch own
ers are thriving and must continue to
thrive. Experience has proved that the
climate is good and adapted to the most
varied crops. This year the area of cul-
tivated land has been largely increased.
Superior seed wheat has been used to
raise the large crops which have reward
ed the husbandman's toll in northern
Montana. The fields have yielded
a bountiful crop Of hay, while the
production Of potatoes has exceeded all
expectation. AS the result the value of
ranches has increased and thousands Of
acres have been filed on by people from
the eastern and middle western states,
The valley of the Missouri in the vicinity
of Great Falls, the Judith basin, the nor
thern (abolishedD reservation, the Bitter
root and Gallatin valleys are each receiy-
ing additional settlers, are each filling
up with people in search Of farms ready |
for the pillow, thereby dispensing with the
years Of toll which are needed to reduce
timber lands in other states to cultiva-
ton.
In stockraising Montana has recovered
from the exceptional losses in the severe
winter Of 1886-S7. Her immense ranges
are now full of fat steers raised under
the best conditions Of feed and climate,
at little expense. These cattle are
healthy and prolific. The report comes
from all the round-ups of large increase
in the herds, which despite temporary
low prices will yield large profit to the
owners. While the cattle industry
has become disorganized or tainted
with fraud elsewhere, it flourish
es in Montana, where the right
kind of people can readily put
money into it and make large profits.
In the sheep industry, that other great
branch of Montana husbandry, consider
able money has been made. The focks
show large, steady increase, demon
strating that no part of the United States
is better adapted for sheep raising than
this. In the newly opened reservation !.
ranges may be acquired which will in
crease greatly in value within a few
years. The Montana wool clip this
year shows very large increase over
that of all preceding seasons. !.
1t has sold readily and commanded
high price when the general fall in wool
is taken into account. The Montana wool
industry is no longer an experiment. It
is firm, stable business which has made .
many people rich.
This brief review Of the agricultural u
progress of Montana is intended to slim
olate inquiry. To all in search of cheap. u
good lands we say: Come and Judge for s.
yourselves. q