Great Falls tribune., 1889-12-25
THE GARDEN SPOT.
PRACTICAL ALINFORMATION RELATING
TO CASCADE COUNTY
LANDS,
The Climate-The Soil and the General
Appearance of Cascade County
The Crops that She Produces, #

The vast possibilities of agriculture il
Cascade county can hardly be arpreci
ated by one who has not given the sub
ject thorough study. This county has al
average length from east to west of 6(
miles and breadth of So miles. 1t il
nearly twice as large as the state o1
Rhode Island. The surface comprises
level bottom lands lying along the rivers
high rolling prairie, or bench land, and
mountains. The greater part of the area
is high rolling prairie, through which
flows numerous streams. These streams
are fed largely by springs which are nu-
merons in nearly all parts of the county.
In the spring and early summer when the
grass is green and the air is laden with
the perfume Of flowers which are scat
tered broadcast over the prairies
NO MORE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY
can be found than here, where the sur
face sometimes stretches away in almost
level plain and again rolls on in billowy
prairles. The grasses cure as they stand,
retaining their nutritive qualities, and in
the fall this country looks like vast
field of graid. To the farmer who has
spent years in clearing land in the east,
this land is especially inviting. Here he
may select his farm in the spring, begin
plowing and sowing the seed the next
day after he arrives, and when the crop
is planted he can spend the summer in
improving his place. He is not compel
led to spend season or two welding the
ak and grubbing hoe. Meantime his
stock, turned loose on the orange" will
keep in excellent condition without a
particle of grain.
M.MM. 0u ONCE AN INLAND SEA. Mm=
The confguration of this county
clearly shows that all this region was at
one time the bottom Of vast inland sea.
The surface shows that in the vast up
heaval the whole country was lifted to-
gether, the levels remaining relatively
the same as when submerged. This ac-
counts in some degree for the uneven
ness Of the surface. @
,aMM.4a FERTILITY OF SOIL .M
The soil of this part of Montana is un-
surpassed in fertility and friabilty. After
the virgin sod has once been turned by
the plow and the grass roots become de-
cayed the soil readily crumbles. After
the second plowing the rich black loam
pulverizes very easily In some locali-
lies the soil is not so good on account of
too much sand. In other localities too
much adobe exists, making the soil hard
o work; but such localities will not CON
,titute one-fftieth Of the surface. The
liver and creek valleys are narrow, vary
ing from a few feet to two miles in
width, so that by far the greater part of
The surface is the high rolling prairie
known here as "bench" lands.
THE RICH BENCH LANDS. -"
These benches are covered with buffalo
and blue joint grasses and are vast natu-
ral pastures. Advantage has been taken
beef has national reputation and her
IOlSCo are 6ll0 DGSG al tllt WUIlu. DGJJlGIS
Who come in naturally select the choicest |
'f these lands; stockmen see their free
pastures are being taken and some are
wont to raise cry against farming. They |
ell the settler that he cannot farm in this |
country without irrigation, and thus try
o induce him to move on. But the east
'rn farmer has learned that where grass |
crows luxuriantly and wild flowers
iourish other plants will grow; he there
ore turns up the sod and sows his grain
ceiling satisfied to risk the season. AS
he mountains are approached the soil
Gems to be richer and on account of
more frequent rains the grasses grow
aller. Last May the writer saw among
he foot hills of the Belt mountains, bunch
grass that was two feet tall. the old
liners settled along the creek valleys
hus availing themselves of flowing water,
lence the bench lands have never been
ested for farming until within the past
ew years. The results which have been
chieved are astonishing, and seem in
redible to the eastern farmer.
THE SMALL GRAINS AND VEGETABLES.
Northern Montana seems to be the
lome OF the small grains, as wheat, oats
md barley. The yield is not only abund-
mt but the grain is of the first quality.
Dakota and Minnesota millers prefer the
Montana grown wheat and from it make
he best quality Of flour.
VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS.
In the production Of vegetables Montana
certainly leads the world. Potatoes here
crow to very large size and are noted
or their excellence, being superior to
hose grown in the humid atmosphere of
he east. The cabbage and cauliflower
,row here in their greatest perfection.
3eets, turnips, onions and other garden
Vegetables produce fine crops with very
title cultivation.
Wat Occurred Last 12th November.
Tichet No. 93 drew the First Capital
Prize q 100000 in the s34 Grand
Monthly Drawing of November IL, 1889,
in the Lonlana State Lottery. 1t was
sold in fracthaal parts of twentieths at
$1.0O each, sen, NJ. A. Dauphin, New
Orleans, La TNo to H. @. Clarke, 721
North Camptona oAe., St, Louis, Mo; two
lected by the Bowen bank, thro' Adams
Express Co.; two ! correspondent