The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-06-28
CANNOT BE BEAT.
Special Agent Anderson's Flattering
Report on Our Pastoral and
Agricultural Resources.
a Country Which Rivals the Grain and
Pasture Lands of the East and
Northwest.
Southern Montana Noted as a Paradise FOR
the stockraiser. With Plenty of
Water. Easy of Access.

Washington special: Mr.. F. w. Ander-
son, who. as special agent of the depart
ment OF agriculture, has been making in
yestigations in Montana. makes the follow
ing observations on the pastoral resources
of that territory. He divides Montana in
TO two parts-tne northern and eastern and
the southern and western, and of the first
section says:
"Here we have q country pre-eminently
fitted for pastoral and agricultural pur-
suits. The extent OF range for stock would
be simply inexhanstible were not the soil
so rich that agriculture is rapidly taking
possession. In fact, 1t is my opinion that
in a very few years agriculture will have
such a rre-eminence that herd laws will be
enacted, at least for the protection of
farmers in this region. Agriculture Is max
ing gigantic strides. IL has been salts
factOrily proven that the justly celebrated
wheat lands of Minnesota and Dakota can
not surpass sthe bench lands OF northern
and eastern Montana
"Hundreds OF progressive farmers and
others are planting timber and fruit trees,
everywhere meeting with success. so IL is
easy to foresee that within few years the
country will be settled oy farmers and
growers of fine blOoded stock, who Will
keep their animals in pastures or other in
closures, that range stock will be crowded
TO the foot hills and mountains. or else
their owners will have TO take them 70
those regions where there will never be
struggle between the tiller OF the soil and
the flock master for possession Of the
field"
of the southern and western division he
says:
"Agriculture in the regions described is
confined almost wholly to the narrow val
leys and bottoms along streams; II is not
chief industry and never can be, owing 10
the very nature of the country. Mining
takes the lead; stock raising comes next
Here is q grand country for the latter pur-
pose. Despite its dry plains and abomina-
bly, numerous and steep mountains and
hills, it is abundantly watered. Scarcely
one of its thousands of valleys is without
brook OF a river of the purest water, easy
of access. In many localities the grass
forms close turf. In this respect the
southern parts of Madison and Beaverhead
counties cannot be excelled. In making a
random guess 1 would say that fully three
fourths of this entire region would always
be open TO the interests of stock growers OF
all kinds. Ii Is q splendid country for the
purpose.
1--WE have now glanced over the general
features OF the territory, and IN so doing
have seen that the greater part OF IL, at
least four fifths. can be utilized for stock
raising. We have also seen that nearly
half of it will eventually be devoted 10 ag-
riculturaI interests. The south and most
Of the western part will always be pas
toral country. The north and east will
soon be almost entirely devoted to farm
ing, horticulture and the raising OF hne.
bIOoded stock, for which purpose very eX-
tensive areas are not needed by individu-
ais. We have seen that, on the whole, the
climate is a good one"