The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-09-27
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. ~, 1905.
MINING AND AGRICULTURE

A recent dispatch from Washington
that an estimate made by
Director of the Mint Roberts places
the gold and silver production OF the
United States last year at Sll4, 2239. lbs.
That is a handsome contribution to
the wealth of the general community,
but, compared with the annual output
of agricultural products, it is insig-
nifcant.
There is a strange fascination 10
figures relating to the output OF pre-
cious metals. The gold product of
Alaska. for instance, is considered a
matter of great public interest. the
mining excitement in that section hav.
ing attracted attention to its wealth.
producing capacity. And yet the gold
output Of Alaska last year, according
to the director of the mint, was only
8 1904, 200. The annual wool clip and
mutton crop of the Montana sheep in.
dustry has a value as great as this
Alaskan gold output, but that fact re-
ceives far less attention thar the state.
ment regarding the gold product of
Alaska mines.
In Montana last year, the value Of
gold and silver produced was about
Sl2,O 900, the copper product in.
creasing the value of the metal output
to about $40, 900, 900. This is but little
more than one.haIf the value of Mon
tana's livestock and agricultural pro.
ducts for the year 1908, as estimated
by competent authority. 1t may de-
velop, as suggested by a Butte news.
paper, that the Montana mining in.
dustry will increase the value Of its
output from year o year, and it may
also be assumed that our agricultural
will yield still larger re.
suits under the stimulating influence
Of private aud government irrigation
projects, and improved methods Of
farming.
When Montana was christened as
the "Treasure State" the term was
intended mainly as a compliment to
her wealth in minerals; but later de.
velOpments are demonstrating that
her title to this appellation rests
largely upon her contributions to the
fo0d and clothing supply of this and
other lands.
In the statement made BY the direc-
tor of the mint, California Is credited
with an annual gold and silver output
Of about $4,000, 600. A recent dis
patch, however, announces that Cali.
fornia's fruit crop alone has q value
Of about s24, 200, 600.
The American hen, according to q
statistician of the department OF agri.
culture, produces more than twice as
much wealth annually as the combined
gold and silver loutput OF American
mines. His exhibit is to the effect
that eggs and poultry produced on
American farms annually have a value
OF about $3.50, OOO, 900, compared with
the combined gold and silver product
Of sll4, 1885, DOC.
Last year, according to the director
Of the mint, the gold production OF the
entire world was about 1852, 0OO, 900,
but the wheat crop of American farms
exceeded that amount by millions Of
dollars.
About one.third of the total number
OF American citizens engaged in gain
full occupations devote their energies
toward raising agricultural products
and their annual income, according
to an official estimate by the depart
ment of agriculture, is. about 81, 500,
DOC, 900. The mining industry is
great institution, but 1t is a dwarf /,
comparison with the wealth producin.
capacity of American farms.