The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-08-25
Pilgrim in the Belt Region.

Pilgrim in tn Belt Region.
From Great Falls to Belt and Other
Grain-Growing Localities.
Meadows and Pastures-Granl Seen
cry and Productive Valleys.
Model Garden--Alfalfa. Flax, Pota-
toes and Small Fruit.
Special Correspondence Of the LEADER,
Great Falls, Aug. a. 18S9.-1n this sun
parched season the ride across the bench
lands from Great Falls to Belt creek is
somewhat dreary and unattractive; but
upon reaching the bluff overlooking the
nesting valley of Belt, the trip to the
mountain region is varied and at times
enchantingly picturesque.
Our trip was up Otter creek to Mann's
ranch, thence up the small Otter to Kib
by, and across the uplands to Belt creek
as it comes down from the mountains
through rugged canyons to the valley
along which is to pass the new railroad
to Barker and Neiha art. From the Belt
we returned to Kibby, following Lime
stone creek for three miles and then over
the high bench lands and foot hills until
we reached the mountain pass three
miles from Barker. From there it was
but short distance to the course of the
main Otter which leaving, after three
miles or SO, we struck again over the
bench lands to reach the junction of the
two branches of the Otter ut Mann's.
The distance travelled in this encircling
route would have be en- fully ninety states
miles; for be it understood by all pill
grims that Montana miles, rs given by
the ranchmen, are Of the toughest India
rubber stripe, varying in length accord
ing to imagination or the purpose Of the
rancher.
We have said that the scenery is varied
and picturesque. 1t is even more than
this; at times it is rugged and grand.
The streams are rapid, the valleys wind
ing and narrow, but fertile and generally
cultivated, bearing even in this unfavor-
able year, a wealth Of wheat. oats, pota-
toes and garden vegetables where any at
tempt ut all has been made to grow them.
AS, nearly US we could estimate the area
to oats, between Mann's and the Belt, by
way of Kibby, we should say it reached
fully 5000 acres; that to wheat about one
half that area. In but few cases, and
these only limited in extent, has irriga-
tion been called u ION to help out; for
along the mountains rain has been more
frequent than about the bench lands sur
rounding the city of the Falls. To the
resident of the great grain growing states
this area will seem small, but it is to be
remembered that hardly a farmer in all
this region has been more than two years
at work, and further, that cultivation be-
yond the limits of narrow valleys border
ing the streams has in but few cases been
attempted at all. Above Kibby, however,
the high lands are giving excellent prom
ise and the oldest settlers are beginning
to admit that there is every prospect that
the bench lands may yet prove the best
grain producers.
Hay is much more abundant than we
anticipated and dozens Of outfits at work
were met with. The crop was noticeably
good about the foot hills on this side Of
| tho Barker region, and upon the wide
strip of bench land between the head
| waters Of the Otter and Mann's. Several
hay cutters estimated that they were get
ting one and half tons per acre, where
the crop had not be en- cut last year. This
mixture Of the two crops, while less valu-
able than where it is only the growth Of
the present season, is yet of excellent
quality, owing to the remarkable fact
that Montana grass cures in fine condition
as it stands upon the ground.
Near the Barker pass we visited the
ranch Of Mr.. Z. Nebel, former residen,
of Great Falls Ills residence and gar.
den are situated in one of the most de.
lightfully beautiful hooks to be found IN
this New Switzerland region. This is the
second season of cultivation, yet finel
garden cannot be found in all Montana
1t is something more than Thousand
foot hi rhar than the roricn of C4raat Falls
yet the temperature Is 50 modified by the
surroundings that all the vegetables com
mon to a temperate climate reach theil
greatest perfection Let us enumcratt
some Of the varieties upon which we Al
guest Of the cha arming and intelligen
family luxuriated during our visit: Greer
peas, caulif1ower, kchl-rabi, beets, new
potatoes, green tomatoes, pie plant, let
tuce and radishes. We were too late TO-
asparagus and too early for some Others
which are thriving, This is also nat,l
raj locality for the june berry, whortle
berry, red raspberry, ETC., and withou
the least doubt all the small fruits ant
many varieties of the apple will he entire
ly at homo.
Otter Creek valley from Mann's to Bel
; is beautiful and fertile. Mr.. Mann ha
this year irrigated his timothy meade,
for the first time. AS a consequence u
has harvested one crop and second
nearing maturity, On 3 neig' borin
!