The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-26

then turns 10 the east. which trend IL
maintains for about $50 miles, when IL
agains turns TO the north to join the
Missouri river in the northeastern cor
ner of the state. Its total length approx
mates 400 miles. Into the river at intervals
empty streams of more or less magni-
tude.
The valley of the Yellowstone. there
fore. extends in varying widths from the
northern boundary of the park to the
rivers final junction. and includes the lat
eral valleys appurtenant TO the sde
streams. Its confguration is unique, for IL
has many levels and assumes variety
of forms. The bottom or level nearest
the streams is narrow and OF doubtful
value for farming; next is level COM
monty called bench" in the southern
arid states a mesa" which at some pc
riod was the level next the river; this
sometimes measures in width six or seven
miles, and in length upwards of 20 miles
These benches alternate in locality on one
side and the other of the river, according
to the caprice of the foods. and continue
its full legnth. Next are found at differ
ent elevations and without regularity ba-
sins and flats that harbor lakes fed by
melting SHOWS and springs, so that the
valley of the Yellowstone is not as val
leys are usually understood but n vast
collection of steps and depress,ons.
Now that a general picture OF Montana
and the Yellowstone river and valley
has been presented. we call attention to
the Billings bench. This is one on the lev
al mentioned. second from the Yellow
stone river, which extends de
its full length. Next are found at differ
begins about two miles east of the city
of Billings in Yellowstone county, and
is o miles in length and about five miles
in width The Northern Pacific and the
Burlington railroads center at Billings
and parallel the bench. thus giving ample
transportation facilities.
Canal ami Water supply.
The canal heads in section IA of town
ship south, range "a east, and Is su phi d
from the Yellowstone river which flows
from 100000 miners inches-5.UOJ cuuic
feet per second-to ], 400, 900 miner s inches
So 900 cubic feet per second The canal
is 20 feet wide on the bottom, with a one
to one side slope. and six teet depth of
. water. The grade per mile is 2.112 feet.
This will supply water at the rate. of
half of one miners inch per acre, pus
30 per cent. for seepage and evaporation,
also for 1000 horsepower gross at the CT y
of Billings. There are no great engineer
ing difficulties to overcome notwithstand
ing n tunnel 1,SO0 feet long viii be bore
through the sand rock bluff Immediately
north of Billings. Syphons will be used to
carry the water under the Northern Pa
cific railroad: also under Canyon creek
Alkali creek, Five Mile creek, and per-
haps one other place. Syphons are much
more desirable than surface fumes, as
while they are at first more exp ensive.
they are practically everlasting. The soil
is of very satisfactory nature, and Will
not permit "A large percentage Of seep-
age.
Land and Soil.
The Billings bench has a gentle slope to-
wards the Yellowstone river, but so
slight II is almost imperceptbie; the sur
face, too Is very smooth. which will re-
quire little preparation for crops and for
irrigation. The soil is n rich loan, loose
in texture. with II substratum OF CAV /.
very desirable as a drain to prevent the
land becoming waterloggtd.
As the elevation above sea level is 5000
feet the growing season Is comparatively
long, insuring three crops of alfalfa. of
four tons per acre each season. Negcta oles
and fruits make luXurlant growth. and
are far superior to any to be seen in the
Eastern states. Melons of all kinds are
delicious and grow to large size and in
great numbers,
Billings and vicinity is one of the most
Independent localities to he found any
where. so far rs a market for It's prod
ucts is concerned. For 100 and more miles
north and south hundreds or thousands of
sheep, cattle and horses feed. AS the
range has been largely overfed II has
been found necessary to feed a large
number of this stock during the winter
months. To meet this demand large tracts
of land on the bench west of Billings
have been planted to alfalfa, which. + d
on the farms under contract, TO stock
that is driven in for that purpose. I he
profits derived from this source are large.
and no matter 10 what extent this crop
is grown, the demand will grow in in
creased ratio. so that the man who
cures 4 farm on the Billings bench with
q water supply that Is always certain
soil rich and warm and productive, and
market limited alone by the supply
should never want for any Of the COM
q 1s=# $50 g.s Ia VFx FaVfa1 s1Fl
sac Of Lands.
TIE law provides that where the lands
have been segregated and the cost of all
impra8s Tneuts in the district has been full
~ aseerta3ned, the commission shall
assess upon each 40-acre tract, or trae-
ilcE Thsleaf. the equitable portion IL shall
bear t. the total cost of reclamation OF
said district with 20 per cent of such
portion added. and none Of said lands
shan bt sold for less than this sum- to-
gether with the interest on this am unit
with TIE 70 per cent added, ut the rate of
g per cent per annum from the date of
the first bond issued for the reclamation
81 the land In that district: sa commits
sion shall issue 10 actual settlers certit-
Gates II selection at the price so estab-
lished. which certificates shall contain
the conditions OF sale Of land, and the
use Of the water through the water sys-
tens for the cultivation of the same,
etc.
Under this section of the law. the COM
mission viii soon be ready to assess land
prices and to issue certificates Of selcc-
ton TO intending settlers lt is the desire
Of the commission that all the land be
occupied within a short time so that the
settlers may secure labor on the canal
thus to aid them in paying for their
holdings. retire the bonds which the COM
mission will receive in payment for lands
and shut off inter. st charges. Ii is not
DnESlble a what he nFiPaS al
land will be. but they will be low and
terms Of sale raasnnahle