The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17
Fetp Remarks Hprppos TO Cbemes OF Passn1q Interest

From the nature of the conditions
that existed the primary and most ex-
traordinary progress has been along the
lines of the mining industry. People liv
ing far from the centers of trade and
commerce, and under the necessity of
transporting their product great dis
tances to market, must of necessity,
produce those things which represent
high values in small quantities. There
fore, up to the present time, Montana
has been essentially mining state. In
her metallic output she has contributed
on the most magnificent scale to the en-
richment of the nation and the world.
1t is little short of marvellous that with
comparatively small percentage of
gold, and with the values of the other
metals greatly depressed, Montana's
output of gold, silver, copper and lead,
in 1898, exceeded in value the mineral
products of any other state west Of the
Mississippi river. A total of more than
s51, 100000 for these four metals is fig
ure that almost staggers belief when
them is considered. It is altogether
probable that not more than onefourth
Of the adult male population is actually
engaged in the mining and trea tment of
ores.
Sufficient data Is not at hand to clear
ly indicate what the yield will be for
the current year, but unless the reports
from the different mining districts have
been grossly exaggerated the totals
should show goodly increase
over 1898. 1t is very certain
that there has been greater
activity in nearly all the mining sec
tons, while the Butte district will, 1t is
believed, show very strong advance.
But it must not be supposed that
Montana's mineral wealth is limited to
the four metals named. She has extern
siye coal measures which only need de-
velopment to greatly increase their
yield. while there is scarcely a doubt
that her iron ore deposits will be proved
of great value in the not distant future.
Montana has magnificent retches of
valuable timber, water power that is
practically without limit, and building
material OF the finest quality and of in
finite variety. She has territorial area
equal to that of England, Ireland, Scot
land, Wales. Holland and Belgium all
combined, and it is estimated that of
this there is fully forty thousand square
miles of the finest agricultural land in
the world.
If this estimate is correct. then the
land in the state of Montana actually
susceptible to cultivation is equal in
extent to the whole of Ohio, one of the
finest agricultural state in the union:
and it is not too much to say that upon
an average the Montana lands will pro-
duce from third to one-half more,
acre for acre, than those of Ohio. Much
of this land can be cultivated without ir
rigation, and where that system must
be employed there is an ample supply
of water for the purpose. The opinion
has been expressed that in ten years.
time Montana's agricultural products
will exceed her minerals in value. That
may or may not be. 1t will depend upon
the extent of the mining developments
in the meantime. However, the state
ment was probably made simply as a
suggestion of the possibilities of Mon
tana agriculture, which no one having
the slightest familiarity with the state
will deny.
But without sending our thoughts
roaming far into the future-looking
only at present conditions and imme-
date prospects. we have every cause to
be joyful as Christmaetide approaches,
and the year 1899 hastens to it's end
The storms of winter may rage the icy
blasts may sweep over mountain and
plain, but our people dread them not
Comfortably housed, warmly clad. pro-
vided with every necessary and many
of the Injuries of life, they will ex-
change their cheerful greetings and look
happily forward into a new year which
gives every promise of still better and
brighter things to come.
H. F. BARTINE.
Anaconda, Dec. 16.