The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-01-20
\ CAPITAL REVIEW.
:. VI. En"ry'> striking Paper, "a Few of
MOntana'S Needs"

:. VI. Emrry'> striking Paper. "A Few al
Montana'S Needs"
Before beginning his paper Mr.. Emery
said that the invitation to prepare it had
been received only on the previous even
ing, but that nobody seemed To think
that the brief time he had for prepare
ton had done any harm. His paper ran
rs follows:
The anomaly is presented to the
thoughtful observer of existing coudi-
tions throughout the agricultural sec.
tons of Montana of exceptionally pro
ductive soil, of remarkably favorable
conditions for the growth and harvest
ing Of the most bounteous crops. and of
great depression in the agricultural line.
a feeling of dissatisfaction exists
among ranchers that finds expression it,
sentiments that would indicate that the
time has passed in which men can profit
ably till the soil.
All this is wrong and inquiry az to the
causes Of the existing state OF affairs is
eminsntly proper at this time. Constant
reference is made to the good old anti
railroad days, when grain was ready sale
at > &c per pound and other agricultural
products were proportionately high.
Montana is in the situation measur.
ably of the man who has mistaken his
vocation. want IT, make myself under
stood III making this statement that
Montana was "brokcn in" originally for
a stock country or for a mining country,
either Ii of which. of course, is very diff
ferent from an agricultural settlement.
when a very close investigation in rela-
ton to this will satisfy any man that it
is destined to take a very high rank
among the agricultural sections of the
union. HeIaldcd TO the world as d great
producer Of precious metals. it was
settled originally by miners. who have
prospected every gulch. canyon and
mountain range throughout its borders.
And learning by bitter experience that
owing to the high price of labor. Of water
and all the supplies incident to the bust
ness, it was impossible to accumulate
means or acquire homes by the pursuit
of mining alone. they have been COM
PEELED by the force Of circumstances togo
into stock raising or ranchilg, bringing in
to such business DIS Il sole capital, a knowl-
edge of human nature. and an earnest
ambition to make of their new work "a
success. | speak advisedly in stating
that at least NO per cent Of the ranchers
of Montana of twenty years standing. are
graduated miners. AID that the majority
of these men came to the country as
young men who. TO say the least. had
never the opportunity TO acquire the
scientific knowledge OF agriculture HAT
is inperatively necessary at the present
time throughout the dcnscly settled
agricultural sections of the eastern aud
middle parts Of the union. And in this
connection | want TO make the remark
that ! have made hundreds Of times
throughout this state that as Il class /
think the ranchcr and the farmer of
Montana will take his place as a peer
among any men similarly situated. ]
find on the tables Of ranchers through
out this state as much reading matter
as ! have ever seen in any community.
1t is not there for ornament. but TO be
read and studied.
Two great conditions confront the
ranchcr today, and in naming the rancher.
we mean every inhabitant of this state.
because the general welfare is one and
the same as the rancher's welfare, the
first is the cheap production of divers
fled crops: second. the marRct for the
same.
have been gravely informed that
swine could not be grown here. that the
climate was against them: this in spite
OF the fact that nowhere can such CROPS
OF alfalfa and of barley he grown as are
grown in Montana.
The experiment stations maintained
by government aid in other states have
conclusively proren that cheaper and
better pork can he produced by clover
and barley than by any other known
feeds. Alfalfa is perhaps. all things cen
sidered. the best Of the clovers for gen
eral use. Peas also is a very successful
crop in Montana, valuable for cattle.
swine and poultry. Inquiries have been
frequently made as to the growth of
winter rye and barley.
These are cited as instances of the
lack Of information in some Of the agri-
cultural parts Of the state.
But few realize the great distances
of uncultivated lands thet separate irri-
gable valleys and the comparative isola-
ton and lack of intercourse existing on
Montana ranches, and this of itself is a
drawback to the free interchange of
thought and experience that must exist
10 promote successful work. This can
be remcdied by occasions like the pres.
cnt. which can he made Of inestimable
benefit to the country. This should he
OF an official nature Ia command the
support and attendance Of those whom
you most desire to benefit. We're Great
Falls 10 undertake the maintenance Of
such gatherings for a length Of time.
such AS would he Of decided permanent
benefit, il would not be long until invid-