The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-29

gion. IL possesses an ample rain and snow
fall curing all seaaons Of the year. In thi
favored section irrigation 10 unnecessary 10
the growth and ripening of large quantities
of grain and vegetables already produced
in the valley, and at this date when tho ole
year ia nearly mergsd into the new. til,
Flathead river II lake are still free from
ice. while tho ground remains unfroyen
This splendidly timbered and agricultural
section has q length bet its surround,
ing ranges OF about sixty miles and a width
Of twenty-five miles. The liberal rainfall
has nurtured a heavy growth OF pine not
only upon the mountain sides but upon the
valley itself; in fact, two-thirds OF the val
10y la coveted with large pine timber inter
spsised with beautiful p~rairiss. This gives
the country a park-like apl earanse and
strongly resembles that of the liner farming
sections of Ohio ant New York.
The home. seeker here flnds the same CON
ditions which exist in the Mississippi val
Icy, cultivated fields, meadows Of luxuriant
timothy, clover and blue grass. which
flourish without the necessity of an irri-
eating ditch. Nevertheless, there are large
areas in the northern end of the valley not
occupied but open for appropriation under
the government land laws. This section 10
almost entirely a timbered one and the
character OF the forest growth makes the
land extremely valuable. it being estimated
that there are az much as " to four
million feet of mero hantable timber on
many quarter sections. This ~oonsists of
yellow and white pine. cedar. larch, red
fir and spruce intermixed, with "A heavy
growth OF cottonwood. alder and other
trees along the river bottoms. The enclos-
ing mountains on the west are black from
base to summit with all-pervading forests,
while those to the eastward, merging into
the main range of the Rockies. are
well-timbered, excepting upon the aum-
mits. A number of largo lum-
Der enter prises are we'll undo way
and the lumber-ou of the valley the pres
ent year will no doubt reach %, 900, 600 feet.
This will all be needed for local building
operations during the coming year. for such
is the general interest manifested in this
section that it will certainly experience q
development more rapid han any other
similar section of the country has
ever enjoyed before. The com-
ing of the Pacific extension Of the Great
Northern road ID bringing capital to en-
gage in the development of the many ma
tural resources of the valley.
This great railway has pushed its trans
continental line with characteristic energy
across Montana to the waters of Puget
Sound. 1t surmounts the Rockies and
reaches the coast with the test mileage
and lowest grade of any transcontinental
road. The summit of the Rockies at
Marias Pass, the eastern gateway to the
Fiathead valley. ia attained with q grade of
only one per cent. or ffty-two feet per mile,
those of other transcontinental roads
from ZIG to 212 feet per mile.
This favorable alignment will have a po-
tent effect upon the development of Mon
tana, Idaho and Washington, which means
the carrying on of traffic expeditiously and
thus stimulating the growth of the
traversed by these lines. At the
northern end Of the Flathead valley coal
of an excellent quality have lately
been discovered. These veins are from
.hree to twelve feet in thickness and are
on the line of the road. The
of the product ia such that Its value
20 the mining interests of Montana M
De overestimated. Companies are already
engaged in developing these mines, while
orospectors are industriously engaged in
others in the surrounding val
.eys and mountains. The quality closely
approaches all the Lest eastern Goals.
Only a personal trip to the valley can
give an adequate idea of the beauty of the
many streams which dash down from the
slopes and take their sparkling
,ourse across the valley to the great river
md lake. This indicates the abundant
of the rain fall peculiar to the val
ey which is in contrast with that of the
yreat plains region far to the south and
last. The climate of the valley is in fact
10 mild and we'll adapted to vegetation
hat all fruits flourish to a remarkable de-
yree. Apple, plum and pear trees are al
.eady bearing in many orchards, while
,trawberries. raspberriea, gooseberries, our
ants and other small fruits grow to a large
and are tho ouQhlv at home.
Many of the farmers are planting or
and fruit aisinR undoubtedly will
one of the principal Industries of
5he valley. The numbering resources will
be a source of immediate profit to the val
for the great plains-region lying east of
he Rockies, with it's prosperous mining
stock raising industries and develop
ing towns, will mako an inexhaustible mar
ket for the lumber OF tue forest country to
The westward,