The Daily Missoulian., 1912-07-29
.bLACKFOOT RANCH
IS A MODEL
HOLDINGS or oAv L HANSg n
COMPANY NEAR HeLMviLLG
IN FINE SHAPE.


Helmville, July 2S.--tSpeciai.) AT
the confluence OF the Nevada and
Blackfoot rivers, where the Blackfoot
valley attains It's greatest proportions.
a beautiful stretch OF clean. smooth.
slightly unduiatihg neadowland
reaches out for Is miles east and west
and 40 miles north and south, COM
pletely surrounded by tall, TIMBER
covered mountains.
Numerous never falling streams OF
pure water from the melting SHOWS on
the mountains traverse the valley and
many live springs afford abundant ir-
rigation to the fertile soil which pro-
duccs u rich growth of nutritious ma
tive grass.
Great herds of stock cattle have for
years been pastured on these succu-
lent grasses by the early settler who
recognized In the raising Of stock a
lucrative business more profitable than
seeking the elusive gold whose lure
prompted many to migrate to this
fertile valley In the early SOS.
Among the first 10 follow the miner
and engage In the stock raising indus
try was John Blair OF Helmvilie, who
recently sold out his large land hold
ings to the Day & Hansen Security
company OF Spokane, Wash.
In 1871 Mr. Blair came from Ohio
and settled on small tract of land
few miles north Of Helmville with
the intention OF raising vegetables for
the miners who were numerous In the
hills at that time; prospering In his
efforts and through thrift and the
homestead laws he acquired several
hundred acres of land within a few
years and availing himself of the thou
sands OF acres Of free range engaged In
the raising of stock on large scale
Thus was started the nucleus of what
Is today the largest ranch devoted to
diversified farming in the state OF Mon
tana.
Mr.. Blair has always been very lib
eral and enterprising and his activity
In the interest Of the valley has made
for him many friends.
Breeding the finest grade OF cattle.
horses and sheep and using the most
modern methods OF ranching not only
has he prospered but he has encour-
aged better farming In the valley and
deserves great credit for his part in
promoting the welfare OF this most
prosperous country.
Three years ago when he sold his
Immense holdings to the present own
ers he had acquired $1,000 acres of
the most productive land In the valley.
Although retiring from active business
Mr.. Blair still retains an interest In the
ranch. as he recently became mem
ber of the Day 4 Hansen Security
company.
This company IL one OF the most en-
tcrprising In the west and Ia doing
much to attract attention TO these fer.
tile lands Improving the ranch, grad
ing up the stock and putting hundreds
more acres under cultivation. expert
menting on a large scale so that
others may profit by this experience.
Day & Hansen Security company
formerly operated In !, Washington and
Alberta. Canada, selling $4,000 acres of
developed land In each place. They
have paid-up capital of 1920. 900.
with the main office In Spokane. Wash.
They now do an extensive farm loan
business, own and operate fine banks,
including the Helmyiile bank. and are
now owners Of $4,000 acres In the
Blackfoot valley.
This immense property now under
one head comprises the former Finn
ranch of $500 acres. the Rees ranch,
5000 acres. the Young ranch, 800 acres
the Blackfoot ranch. $500 acres, and
what In known as the Home ranch,
consisting of the balance.
Mr.. r. Il. Feirce. formerly of Iowa,
assisted by his son. H. r. Feirce. both
very able and capable men Of large ex-
perience. have charge of the ranch.
Twelve thousand acres are now under
ditch. all of which Is In timothy and
clover with the exception OF 500 in
oats and a small patch OF alfalfa and
vegetables; 1000 acres OF the upland
are In winter wheat which shows an
excellent growth and crop of 30 to
10 bushels TO the acre Ia expected this
season. Last year on newly broken,
ground 81 bushels to the acre were
threshed out. Between 5000 and 1000
acres have been broken by steam piow
this summer. which win be planted to
winter wheat and flax. Last year on
new ground oats yielded Is bushels to
the acre and on the cultivated tracts
70 to 80 bushels. demonstrating the
adapability Of tho soil for the growing
OF grain. An idea of the vastness Of
this ranch may be had when one ID
told that ono of the pastures Ia seven
miles long by one and half miles
Wide and inclosed with ~ miles Of
fencing Three thousand head of cat
tie are pastured here. One hundred
head Of thoroughbred Short Horn cat
tie. with 40 registered bulls, are kept
separate to grade up the stock. Five
Thousand five hundred head Of sheep,
which this year produced 10000 pounds
OF wool: and 1876 head OF work horses,
of which 81 are brood mares, and a
magnificent Percheron stallion 20 to
make up part of the livestock. Dur
ing haying season 15O men are en-
ployed and In the winter 80 men are
required to look after the stock and
do the chores.
Many large, well-built buildings and
handsome dwellings; we'll kept roads
and fences. and everything spick and
mn IT, IA ~