Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-31
MONTANA rs SHOWING A MOUNTAIN,
Its Display in the Agricultural Build
ing IL Attractive.

tiN " - t'N
ing IL Attractive.
Montana's exhibit in the Agricultural
building is about complete In every detail
and Is attracting as much attention as any
on the grounds. 1t is located in the eX-
IRENE east end Of the building and is under
the supervision of c. b. Settles, who has
had much to do with gathering the grains,
grasses and products of the farm and for
est.
The state OF Montana appropriated the
sum of $l5, 900 to make an exhibit and Mar
Gus Daily gave a like amount as a donation.
A portion of this money was expended in
erecting a state building on the Bluff tract
and the balance in gathering and placing an
exhibit. That the money has been well eX-
pended is made apparent by an inspection
Of the exhibit.
Entering the Agricultural building from
the east, the first thing at the right of the
huge doors that is worthy Of notice Is an
exhibit that has every indication OF being
a huge mountain. This is the forestry ex-
hibit of Montana. The foreground repre-
sents a broad plain, upon the surface Of
which are scattered huge logs Of oak, pine,
fir, hickory, ash, poplar, with underbrush
here and there. Just beyond the foreground
the foothills break off abruptly and the
mountain begins. This mountain reaches
10 the Top OF tue ulBn BalleTy anu aulOuB
the crags and peaks are fine specimens of
the birds and animals that inhabit the
state. They are all stuffed and look as
natural as life. There are moose. buffalo,
deer, antelope, mountain sheep and beasts
of prey. In the bird line there are all of
those that are native of the state, as well
as the migratory birds and fowl that fire.
quent the forests and lakes and rivers.
To give the mountain a natural and pretty
appearance, the peak is covered with snow,
while a clear and sparkling stream appears
to trickle down the side and lose itself in
the valley that spreads out for miles in
every direction. or course this Is not real,
but it might as we'll be so, as the artist,
assisted by his colors and his brush, has
dono at the exposition what nature has done
in the state from which the exhibit comes.
The wealth of Montana does not all lie
in the mountains which produce gold, sill
yer, copper, lead and coal, but instead,
much of it comes from the fertile soil of the
earth, the bosom of which upon being
tickled by the pillow of the farmer, produces
as fine crops as grow in any land under the
sun. A few years ago it was not supposed
that Montana would ever take a place as
one of the agricultural states of the union.
Now. however, 1t is one of the greatest
grain producing section of the country, the
proof Of which is furnished by the exhibit
that has been spread out for inspection.
The wheat which is on exhibition, both in
sheaves and in sacks and jars, stands close
inspection and while 1t is all of the spring
variety it grades No. l and brings a high
price in the market. The color is perfect,
which is due to the fact that it is seldom wet
between harvest time and marketing. This
, is also true of the barley, oats and other
small grain. Right in this connection it
may be said that Montana shows the largest
yield per acre of spring wheat of any state
S in the union. Last year the yield averaged
sixty-one bushels per acre, oats 1877 and bar
A ley seventy-five.
g In addition to the small grain, a fair
quality of corn Is shown. though the state
1 does not lay any claims to being in the corn
belt. The pride of the state lies in its
l grasses and ranges. On the great ranges
of the valleys and mountain slopes, red top,
bunch grass, buffalo grass and blue stem
r grows in great profusion, curing on the
stem, thus affording the finest winter graz
ing. OF the tame grasses there is the tim
othy, the alfalfa and the red clover, which
grows and natures two crops per year.
i The exhibit Of Montana is neatly ar
ranged, the wheat and small grains being
= constructed to represent pyramids, while
q around the bases are jars containing flour
: meal, shelied grain and canned fruits. Over
= the booths, of which there are a number
are inscriptions calling attention to the re.
sources of the state. Under the canopies
! of the booths are pillars built of grain and
Inside are jars and cans in which are the
lchoicest products Of the field, the garden
: and the orchard.