The Anaconda standard., 1899-08-04
is A DELIGHTFUL TRIP
A Country of Wonderful Re-
sources Above Hamilton.
NO CO. NDITlON IS LACKING
A Magnificent Panorama Unlolds Before
the Tourist - Fine Ranches and Ex-
tensive Orchards-And the FISH
ing Is Better.

Missoula. Aug. 3.--Magnificent as are
the resources of the Bitter Root valley,
as shown by the splendid region that
lies between Missou!a and Hamilton,
they cannot be thoroughly appreciated
by a visitor to the valley who sees only
this portion of the valley. Hamilton is
really the middle point of this grand
agricultural empire and the country
that lies above this town possesses the
same general characteristics as the re-
gion that spreads between Missoula
and that place. A drive over the coun-
ty road that leads south from Hamilton
is as delightful a trip as anybody could
desire to take. The grand mountains of
the Bitter Root range are more inn
pressive in their splendor farther south;
the waters of the river are clearer and
more alluring: the tributary streams
are larger and more picturesque; the
farms are as extensive; the orchards
are as fine; the people are as hospital ble
and as enthusiastic over their valley:
the fishing is better. There is no con-
dition lacking that is essential for the
enjoyment of the tourist who takes
this ride through a region that is COM
paratively unknown and is scarcely ap-
preciated, even by people who have re-
sided in this part of the state for many
years. The magnificent panorama of
mountain and valley, of stream and
lake, of orchard and farm, is one that
can be surpassed in no country under
the sun. A man who can leave his busi-
ness for a few days can find no pleas
anter place to spend them than this.
The Harlan orchard has been almost
.Nf hi -g1tn
that has made its existence known to
the public for years. This is one of the
largest orchards of the valley and has
been one of the most productive. All
around it, however, far up the valley,
are newer orchards that are reaching
maturity and that will soon contribute
largely to the output of the valley. Up
in this part of the valley. too, they seem
to have bigger gardens and more of
them than they do in the lower valley.
There is hardly farm house along the
road that has not near 1t fine garden
patch, green with thrifty vegetable
and small fruits. These spots add
charm TO the landscape and indicate
thrift and progress. The farm buildings
in this portion of the valley are of the
same substantial style as are those of
the older ranches down the valley. The
houses. as a rule, are we'll kept and are
comfortable and roomy looking homes.
On every side are ample signs OF pros
perity and the man who travels over
this route cannot help envying the lot
of the farmer in the Bitter Root.
The larger portion of this section Of
the valley is in grain and hay. From
the river bottoms away to the edge or
the timber, and often encroaching upon
the timber line, these bright green fields
extend Miles and miles of tall tim
othy and clover hay and of waving oats
and wheat rest the eye of the visitor
and impress upon him the extent of the
resources of the valley. For long dis
tance the road up the valley leads along
the foothills of the east slope, high
above the river, affording a masnifi-
cent view of the farming country that
reaches far up the slopes of the noun
tains that form the ragged western
wall of the Bitter, Root In places the
valley widens out and, looking across
the river, the traveller sees a stretch OF
cultivated land that is miles in width.
Along the river dense groves or coy
tonwoods break the monotony of the
picture and the sparkling waters of tn
stream glsten at intervals through the
foliage.
There never was a country so splen-
didlv watered as is this. From the
hills on the East and on the West clear,
running streams rush down to mingle
their waters with those of the river.
These side streams are indescribably
beautiful. The Skalkaho, Sleeping
Child, Lost Horse, Tin Cup, Rock, Rye
and the other innumerable creeks are
all calculated to inspire an artist. There
is not one of them. either, that does not
tempt the fisherman--their green waters
are full of pools in which there are
myriads of trout, anxious to be caught.
It is a fisherman's paradise as well as
a farmers heaven. The unriValed wa
ter supply of these streams and of the
river is being utilized by the farmers
for their irrigation and many new
bitches are now being constructed. The
big supply ditch of the Bitter Root
stock farm is now carrying about haif
it's capacity from the Bitter Root river,
along the foothills through substan-
TALLY built tlume, to water the fields CT
this farm.
But the farmers are not all happy up
in that country. They would not lie
true Missourians if they were. They
find much to kick about, and when they
find a listener they are not a all back
ward about airing their troubles. Some
of them kick because they have too
much water and some of them kick be-
cause they have not enough. Some of
them find fault with the county com
missioners and some of them fix the re-
sponsibility of their troubles with the
Creator. Some of them are dissatisfied
at present because there is some COM
plant against the indiscriminate kill
ing of cattle on the range. They seem
to think that people are looking too
closely at brands these days.
This Is not true of all, however. Most
of the people of the upper valley ap-
preciate the advantages that they enjoy
and are happy. They have big crops
and a good market for them and their
only worry is in regard to getting their
crops taken care of They are hospita-
BILE, open-hearted and cheerful. They
will ask you to stay with them for a
while and will show you the best places
to fish. They will give variety to your
meals by killing chicken or two, and
when you leave they will urge you to
come again. They don't ask you your
politics and they don't trouble you
about your religion. They are glad 70
| see you, and if you behave yourself,
they enjoy your visit