Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-10-09
IRRIGATION IN MONTANA.
Data Concerning bitches and Farms
In the State.

That the state of Montana offers one
of the best fields for irrigation work is
shown by the fact that the federal gov
eminent is paying so much attention to
the states irrigation possibilities.
Not only the geological survey, but the
census department is learning every
thing respecting the states agricul-
tural resources.
J. G. Blanchard, chief of the irriga-
ton section of the census bureau, is in
the state gathering data relative to the
number of irrigating bitches, the
amount of water supplied, the acres of
land irrigated and the crops raised.
Since he came here he has learned
considerable respecting the agricul-
tural possibilities of the state and he
will make report accordingly.
1.-The investigation of irrigation in
the United States by the census Office"
said Mr.. Blanchard, 'does not in any
way duplicate the work of the depart
ment of agriculture or that of the geo.
logical survey, but is rather compile
ment of both. The actual results of
irrigation are discussed by the census
office. Its work has nothing to do
with the scientific treatment of soils,
the practical application of water, or
the measurement of stream flow and
its possible storage, but relates to cost
nd Df
nature of irrigated crops.
"For better understanding of the
conditions of irrigation in Montana
the census office, and particularly the
agricultural division under Chief Stat
istician L. G. Powers, is conducting d
field investigation of the principal
irrigated valleys of the state. The
compilation of these statistics is au-
thorized by special act of congress and
the data are for the crop year of 1902.
montana, with it's vast area, varied
topography and diversified climatic
conditions, presents at once an inter-
esting and difficult field for investiga-
ton. During a cycle of wet years the
necessity for irrigation is not so i'm
perative as in other states farther
south. The low elevation of the table
lands and of the cultivated areas of
the state generally, makes agriculture
less dependent upon irrigation than in
other states, and the precipitation is
usually larger in the state.
agricultural development in Mon
tana until very recently was merely an
adjunct to stock raising, but in the
census year the tilling of the soil had
so increased that the value of the farms
and the products of the soil placed
farming proper in the lead.
"Some idea of the increase in farm
wealth may be obtained from the cen
sus reports. In 1870 the live stock on
Montana farms was valued at 81, 49,
693, and the farm lands, including
buildings asd implements, were worth
1929, 1913, or only 40 per cent of the
value of live stock. This did not in
clude value of stock on the public
domain. Had this been included it is
possible that the value of live stock in
Montana was three times greater than
that of farms and buildings.
while the live stock interest had a
value in 1900 nearly 40 times greater
than that in 1870, the number and
value of farms had increased so enor-
mously that in 1900 they were worth
So2, O26, 900, while the live stock had a
value of $52, 161, 1888, or l5.9 per cent
less. The farmers in Montana do not
need to be told that this tremendous
increase in agriculture is due to the
successful application of irrigation.
1T requires no great gift of prophecy
to predict for Montana steady and
substantial development along the line
of agriculture, nor is the time so far
distant when the value of farms and
products will outweigh those of the
mines. The state is peculiarly fortu-
nate in having large irrigable areas
and contant and ample water supply.
1t offers a field for many large and
substantial irrigation works for the
government, and with its vast area of
public domain is certain to reap i'm
mense benefit from the irrigation bill
recently passed. Montana has had a
very active and loyal worker for this
bill in Senator Gibson, whose earnest
ness and zeal were recognized by all in