The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-12
OPINIONS OF AN EXPERT
Suggestions Of Editor Smythe Upon
Some Of MOltana'S Valleys.
SOME PERTINENT REMARKS
Montana Farmers Should Raise
Everything That Is Consumed
Here. and Not Import
Butter and Eggs.

MIssoULA, Jan. 1.-The STANDARDS
readers in Missoula and the Bitter Root
country will recall with pleasure the visit
to this section of William L. Smythe, edi-
tor of the Irrigation Age, and his interest
ing and instructive lecture upon tho sub
ject of irrigation. Those who wero for
tunate enough TO form a personal ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Smythe will recall
the kind words he had for this part o. the
country and his glowing forecast of tho
future of the Bitter Root and Mssoula
valleys. The following clipping from the
current number of Mr.. Smythe's maya
zine will be read with interest, as ii con-
tains n repetition of the expressions which
he used when here in speaking of the VAL
leys:
One of the strong points about our arid re-
gion Is the fact that II presents great diversity
OF soil and climate and therefore OF production
his observation occurred 10 the writer when he
faced the crisp air OF an October morning in the
Bitter Root valley Of Montana and made men
tai comparison Of those conditions with the
autumn climate of southern Arizona. Within
the wide boundaries OF arid America may be
found almost every variety OF natural con
ditiOns and the agricultural industry will
present striking contrasts in cOnse-
quencc. Montana is very different from most
localities that are now putting lands upon the
market. But it has many advantages, and
there is every reason TO predict that the new
civilization VIII flourish there. THIS state is to-
day large importer of agricultur al products
which ought 10 be produced at home. At first
thought 1t would seem that there wo uld be but
narrow range OF production In a c innate where
the winters are so severe, but when the writer
studied the dinner bill at the hes hotel in Mis-
soula, he discovered that OF the 30 items in the
list only three could not be produ ced on any
farm In the Bitter Root valley These three
were the tea OF China, the nuts and olives OF
Southern California All Of the meats, vegeta-
bles, small fruits and cereals, together with
hardy fruits Of the very best quait y. can be had
by the farmer who diveTsihes his products
even in this northern latitude. The Bitter Root
and MissOula valleys are the most att ractiye in
the west and capable Of sustaining IA dense pop.
ulation on 40-acre farms. Marcus Daily, on his
fine ranch at Hamilton, near the head OF the
valley, is demonstrating what can DO done in
fruit culture. Again at Mssoula. as elsewhere
the writer received courtesies which he desires
TO gratefully acknowledge, and nowhere was the
enthusiasm over his remarks moro cordial
Among the practical irrigators whom the writer
was surprised and delighted to meet was the
famous actor, Daniel l.. Bandmann. who appears
now only in the role OF "Dr. Jekyll," having
eschewed "Mr. Hyde
The advice contained in the above item
Is worth needing. No stranger visiting
this section. of tho fertility of which SO
much has been said, can fail to be sur
prised TO find that the ranchmcn them
selves are large consumers of imported
butter, eggs and other farm products that
might easily be made articles of export
instead of brought IN here for local con-
sumption. When this state OF affairs
ceases to exist, the prosperity which is
it's due will reign in the Bitter Root valley
but not until then. To an unprejudiced
observer it is ineNplicablo that man
with n herd of cows should buy butter and
the man with big farm should buy eggs
and poultry.
Regarding the eastern valleys of tho
state, Mr.. Smythc writes rs follows:
The most prosperous looking portion OF Mon
tana Is the broad Gallatin valley where the |
land Is quite fully occupied, but In large farms
mostly cultivated In grain The grain IS OF re.
markable quality, and realizes fair prices The |
country around Billings, in tho beautiful valley
OF the Yellowstone, Is also enjoying fair de- !
gree OF prosperity, but here, as everywhere |
else. IL is the man with the smallest farm who is
making the most money. The writer was hon. |
ored at Billings with good sized audience |
which gathered in the county court room during
the busy hours Of the afternoon. lie had been
given an opportunity To study the valley In the |
course Of a long ride. and to talk with many OF |
the most practical men engaged in farming bv |
Irrigation. Everywhere he found the people |
ready 10 cohcedo the advantages Of the small |
farm with diversified products. And the adj |
vantages OF this system he urged upon the |
meeting OF citizens. He also tried TO point ont |
the need OF organizing industry. SO as TO have |
creameres, cannerieS, packing houSrS AMI
other establishments, to consume the products |
OF the farms, and he urged the further NO. |
cessity OF organizing markets 10 AXE these pro
ducts when they had been manufactured The |
citizens were also earnestly advised 10 deyeIon |
al least one model farm of forty acres, produc- |
Ing everything that can be grown In the Yellow |
stone valley, and illustrating the highest posSI
bilities OF Irrigation and home making Thanks !
are due the citizens Of Billings for the very |
marked attentions the writer received.