The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-19
CAUGHT ON THE CURB.
One popularity of Helena is the fact Il

tween a gold, silver or copper mine, VIII
enough paying quartz exposed to make hin
q millionaire; a stock ranch where steer
worth $50 can be produced at an expense
of less than $40; real estate certain tt
double in value in n year or two, or an en-
gagement in merchandising or banking
under conditions unequalled in any othe
section. Instances are known whore me,
found it so difficult to decide that
they actually returned east and
put their funds out on mortgage
at the prevailing six per cent. The radiance
of the precious quartz and fascinating bel
low of the steer has operated to obscure
something which. AZ an element of proflta-
Bile employment, is destined to cut no small
figure. Reference is made to the humble
potato. The Montana potato, for dryness
and luscious mealiness, is d revelation to all
visitors, and forces from them the admis-
sion that they never before knew the real
definition of the word. TIL Prickly Pear
valley is apparently the natural homo of
the tuber, 1t only needs the seed to be
placed in the ground, with fair cultivation,
to produce q crop reaching in frequent in
stances to more than 800 bushels to the
acre. and M the price seldom goes
below a cent u pound, and frequently
as high as three, it is not difficult to figure
the number of years it VT require to create
a handsome fortune. 1t is estimated that
there are in the valley at least twenty
thousand acres adapted for the purpose.
1t will require at least three thousand acres,
averaging a yield of three hundred bushels,
to meet the requirements of the local mar
kets, with large shipping possibilities. TIL
entire cost of production closely approxi-
mates $50 per acre. Estimating on this
basis sthe aggregate cost of 5000 acres
would be $105.0 DOC, while the selling value
Of the crop at one cent a pound would reach
the large sum of $540.000, leaving for net
gain the enormous sum of $435, 900.
Besides the large distribution for
labor, the handling, storing and shipping
of the crop would employ a considerable
force. One obstacle to the cultivation Of
valley lands has been the undue dependence
on ditch irrigation. The fact that the en-
tire valley is underlaid, a few feet from the
surface, with an inexhaustible supply of
water does not seem to create the impress
sion that it might, and ranchmen will let
crops perish for moisture with an untapped
reservoir conveniently at hand. The pre-
diction is made that the time is near at
land when the valley lands will be out up
into, tracts varying from five to twenty
a ores, each with its own independent sub
terranean supply, raised by wind or steam,
or an artesian flow. The crops of potatoes
will be so sure in quantity and price
that land will be eagerly bought at $500 per
acre for farm purposes alone; that instead
Of importing hundreds of carloads annu-
ally of the inferior product of Dakota, the
valley potatoes will command a large mar
ket in st. Paul and Chicago for their supe-
riority alone. When reaching out for man.
ufacturing establishments, why neglect the
manufacture of potatoes in the ground?
~
Helena is rapidly becoming sapphire mad.
The great beauty and undoubted genuine
ness of the stones is attracting the atten-
ton of those who are aware of their value,
and now, in many offices formerly devoted
exclusively to quartz talk, the time is given
to examination of late finds and
discussion of the merits of the
blue, green, pink and white.
Sapphires in the rough are becoming a
recognized article of NJ and sales of
round lots are made every day at figures
exceedingly remunerative. Cut stones
bring the best prices relatively. Several
were sold the past week as high as a hun
dred dollars each, and it is said one was
found of such size and brilliancy that
1900 was the expert valuation placed.
Sapphires are next in value among the
precious stones to diamonds, but like dia-
monds purity and color are large elements
in fixing prices. A move is being made to
introduce skillful cutters for local opera
tions and as the supply of the rough gems
is practically limitless the industry will as
sumo proportions of great value to the city.
The bars in which they are found extend
for ten miles along the Missouri river and
claims are being bonded every
week, principally to English parties, at !
1igures ranging up to twenty thousand dol
lars each. 1t is thought that there is an
effort being made to secure control of the
entire field, when work will be systemati- !
cally promoted and prices advanced to the
real worth. Success in this particular would
be a calamity to Helena as then the entire
cutting industry would be transferred to
London.
-
The type of building most favorable for
residential purposes in the eastern cities is
the flat. They are usually constructed of
brick, two stories high, with separate en-
frances for each story, which is a complete
tenement in itself, having from five to eight
rooms, bath, hot and cold water and
other modern conveniences. The
scarcity of domestic servants in
Helena, together with the high
wages demanded, is an argument in
favor of flats, which will bring about their
general construction when once introduced.
if for no other reason than the independ-
ence of the housewife in the matter of help,
There is besides a great economy in fuel for
heating. Helena avenue is q street peculiar
ly adapted for such structures, and if built
with reference to eventnal use of the Ii rt
story for business purposes it would not be
long before a change would be demanded.
If the entire street were built up with such
t%enenents q good patronage would be ere
ated for stores by the population living
overhead, reinforced by residents of CON
tiguous streets. Lots now carried as a
burden would earn all charges, IN addition
to good interest on cost of improvements.
~
Secretary Walker, of the Board of Trade,
has n unique method of determining how
late a man stays out at night and whether
he has attended a banquet or been out with