Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-02-03
NEGLECTED INDUSTRIES


some of the opportunities that have
hitherto been neglected by Montana
farmers in the matter of producing
the products consumed in the state.
Tha Press dncidently meutions thefact
that Broadwater and Park counties
contemplate establishing creameries
in the neal future and have already
received considerable encouragement
TO that end.
Upon investigation the Press finds
that there are not a half dozen
creameries in operation in Montana,
and their capacity is very limited.
This Is a most remarkable and UNI
satisfactory exhibit when compared
with the record made by the state of
Washington. where the dairy industry
has made a wonderful growth. The
state food commissioner reports that
AL creameries were in operation in
Washington last year, and their but.
ter product reached the large total
of nearly seven million pounds. There
are also t%wenty-four cheese factories
in Washington with an annual output
OF some 1900, 900 pounds of that ar
ticle. The home demand for these
products was supplied by Washing
ton farmers, who also sent part Of
their output to Montana and olnel
states in which the dairy industry
has been neglected"
In agricultural products Secretary
Edwards of the state board of horti
culture finds that, on six items alone
Montana farmers could find a home
market that would give them an an
nual revenue of over three million dol
lars.
"A feature of Mr.. Edwards exhibit
that will occasion surprise" says thu
Press. rs the statement that NOR,
than ten million pounds of potatoes
were imported into Montana last year
the greater part of these importation
coming from Idaho. 1t was reporte'
that last years crop OF this produc
in some parts of Montana was eS
cessive, and q few shipments wer'
made to st. Paul and other outsid
points. The shippers claimed that
owing to high local freight rates, the.
could get better returns from s,
Paul than from Montana markets tina
imported their supply from Idaho an
Utah. In the list of imported pre-
ducts compiled by Mr.. Edwards Their
are several kinds of vegetables G
which abundant crops are produce
in some parts of Montana, and it /
difficult TO understand why, wit
transportation facilities provIded at
reasonable rate, the markets of tn
state would not be supplied by Nor
tana producers.
According to Mr.. Edwards. som
four million dozen eggs and abou
three million pounds OF poultry froI
outside states found a market in MOI
tana last year, the value OIL these in
ports being about $~1,650,000. If thes
data are reliable. they indicate tha
the Montana poultry industry is nc
keeping up with the procession. tn
Montana imports of ham and bacol
according to Mr.. Edwards. amounte
to about eleven million pounds La
year. and fresh meats to the extent
over six million pounds also apes
in the list"
We agree with our contemporal
that the money from such produc
should go to enrich our own farme'
and while they may be a lit
slow about it, there is an awakenir
and a promise of greater effort
supply the home demand. SUI
changes do not come about quickl
> It requires time, means. labor and e
couraging circumstances. 1t is on
in the past few years that MontaI
has made any showing worth mentio
ing in the way of fruit raising, al
this has been confined to a few
! vored sections. But the interest
fruit is becoming general-especial
T in apple growing. 1t may be the ca
with other products. Ine rush mi
come all at once, but the early bi
is most likely to get the worm.
, There IL one point touched on
the above that cuts a considerat
figure with the farmer and that
, railroad rates. II he car snip to ca
ern markets to better advantage tn
> he can to Montana points he Is n
receiving the encouragement and
ducement due him to supply the sta
l demand. 1t is a short-sighted poll
on the part of the railroads If 1t
pursued. II is TO their interests
r develop the country but they can n
1 do 1t by charging rates that will me
Improbable returns to the farm'
= He should be given a square deal.
THE DEMOCRATIC GAME.