The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-10-18
WEALTH FROM MONTANA FARMS.

WEALTH FROM MONTANA FARMS.
The great exhibit Of products iron
Montana farms, gardens and orchard
was a revelation to many who visites
the recent state fair at Helena. It wa,
the testimony Of experienced observer
that the display was equal to tina
found at state fairs Of communitie.
that have a reputation for producing
fine cereal crops, forage products ant
fruits, and it vas not expected tina,
Montana would take such a high place
In the procession of states that are
famous for their agricultural resou
ces.
The greatest surprise At the Montana
state fair vas the creditable exhibit
made by Carbon county, a section
which Is generally regarded as u great
coal camp without pretension to any
exceptional merit as a farming region.
An official of the Northern Pacific,
who was supposed to be ant
with conditions at points tributary to
that railroad, was astonished at the
evidence OF the wealth producing re.
sources Of Carbon county lands.
The progress made in Montana agri-
cultural development 10 being followed
by an enhancement Of the value of
Montana farms. Recent news from
the Yellowstone country and Fergus
county tells of sales of ranch property
at figures that show an enormous ad-
vance over values of q few years ago.
Commenting upon this feature of the
i uati0n, the Butte Inter Mountain
says:
Railroad men who for many years
have been interested In the develop
ment of the northwest agree that Mon
tana has made more progress agri.
cu%lturally this year than in any pre-
viOus season. These men are 10 q
better position to Judge than others
whose activities and view are limited
to q single section. Among the rail-
road men who have commented re-
Gently on the possibilities of this state
from an agricultural standpoint is J.
M. Hannaford Of the Northern Pacific
Railway company, long familiar with
conditions throughout the northwest.
In his opinion land values have by
no means reached the topmost limit
in this state and it is his belief that
we'll selected farming and grazing
lands offer rs profitable q field for in
vestment as any other, while the re-
turns to be expected from them are
more sure than from many lines of q
more speculative character.
Last year was q notable one In sew.
eral of the agricultural sections of the
state for the number of land sales
made at prices far beyond the figure
that ruled In previous years. The
present year has been no less notable
in that respect, except that the ad.
vance, ave perhaps In the Yellow
stone valley, was not so great az was
that experienced In 1904. More than
ever is 1t appreciated that Montana is
not only destined to be a great state
agricultural ally, but already has reached
a point where that industry is on q
sure and solid basis. The fact was
illustrated at the state fair held at
Helena last week where the showing
made was such that any of the older
states Of the middle west might have
offered it without apology. Long ago
agriculture and its kindred pursuits
ceased to be experiments in Montana,
but only In recent years have the PEG.
pie began to appreciate the value of
their landed interests. With q still
more general appreciation OF values,
higher prices may be expected for
lands and there is every reason to be.
lieve the time Is not far distant when
Montana ranch property will COM
mand prices based on its earning ca.
pacity. When that time comes, no
class of producers will be more indie
pendent than the farmers Of the Treas.
ure state.
now CHICAGO WON THE RACE.