Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1909-05-07
M0NTANA'S FERTILE
AND VAST ACREAGE
Good Climate, Plenty Of Moisture, Bright
Sunshine and Abundant Crops.

American contained the following
facts about Montana:
The tide Of immigration and the
capital attracted to Montana by the
invasion Of the new railways promis-
rs to place Montana well up in the
list OF the great states of the union.
In size it is the third state of the
union, and in natural resources it is
richer even than Pennsylvania.
The state of Montana contains l46,-
572 square miles, and is rs large rs the
combined area Of New York. Pennsyl-
vania, Indiana, Maryland and Connec-
ticut combined. 1t has one county,
Custer, that contains 1860 square
miles, and is larger than the state of
Maryland. Fergus county contains
1852 square miles, and is as large as
Delaware and Connecticut combined.
The population of Montana is only
900, 1t will support in comfort 10
times that many.
The next few years will show prob
ably the most rapid development ever
known in any state. Its mines, its for
ests, its rich agricultural and grazing
lands, it's water power will all contri-
butte to make it's settlers independent.
TO those unfamiliar with Montana
the name perhaps conveysa vague idea
of mountains, mines, stock ranches,
cowboys and Indians. The average
man is wholly unprepared for the sur
prising facts uncovered by an eNami-
nation of it's agricultural wealth.
The increase in the population of the
United States and the phenomenal in
crease in the value of developed farm
lands during the past ten years have
demonstrated that the end of the era
Ofcheap agricultural land III this co,,ll-
try is in sight.
The construction of the Pacific coast
extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee
Il st. Paul railway and the Great
Northern between Great Falls and
Billings through the state of Montana
opens to settlement thousands of acres
!. of farm lands that can now be home
steaded, or purchased ut low prices,
but which in Il few years will double
or treble in value.
There are millions of acres of gov
ernment land III Montana open to en-
try under the homestead act. 4 large
proportion of these lands are suitable
for farming. The lands near the rail
roads are being rapidly homesteatled.
In April, May and June, 1908, there
were over 5000 filings made OH public
lands in the state.
Montana is we'll supplied with coal,
and timber grows upon the mountains
and along the streams. In Custer and
Yellowstone counties Ignite coal out
crops in numberless places and may
be had for the digging. Bituminous
coal is found along the Musselshell riv
er and is extensively mined at Round
up. BituminOus coal is also mined ut
various points in the Judith basin,
particularly ut I4ewistown and is of an
excellent quality. Montana is one Of
the great coal producing states of the
west.
Good water. nutritious grasses,
grains and forage plants, excellent eli
mate and cheap grazing offer induce
ments to the dairymen.
The demand for dairy products is
large and is principally filled from out
side states, making the ma rket always
good.
1t is estimated that Montana i'm
ports annually more than 4,NO, 900
pounds of butter, 0OO, 900 pounds of
condensed milk and 7OO, 900 pounds of
butterine.
Prices for butter fat range from 3to
cents higher than in the eastern mar
kets.
Five years ago there were only two
creameries in the state: now there are
more than 40.
The climate of Montana is excellent,
and is usually Il surprise to visitors
who sometime expect Canadian wealth
er. The clear, dry air is extremely
invigorating, und combined with the
large percentage of bright days make
the climate one of the most healthful
and pleasant in the world. There are
few days in Montana in which outdoor
work cannot be done in comfort.
No one need fear the winters of
Montana. They are tempered by the
warm chinook winds and by the noun
tains, aud are not so severe as the
winters further east. Stock of llkinds
winter in the open with no protection,
depending for food upon the nutritious
range grasses with the addition of Il
little hay at times. If Montana win
ters experienced much stormy or cold
weather the livestock business would
cease to be profitable through winter
losses. On the contrary. the stock
men Of Montana have mazda millinns