The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-01
MONTANA PLEASES
ELLIOTT
RAILROAD HEAD ADVOCATES d.
VERSlFlED FARMING TO
MAKE BETTER STATE.

That the population of the state of
Montana would grow faster if all the
farmers would practice diversified
farming wa the declaration Of How
ard Elliott, president of the Northern
Pacific railroad, at the station yester-
day morning. Mr.. Elliott said that by
diversified farming he meant the
raising of everything possible on Zach
farm in the state. ITO specialize in
one product may be all right" he said,
but the country needs everything, and
the farmers should cater, in a measure,
to ALL" III
President Elliott, with a party of
Northern Pacific officials, has been on
an inspection trip of the Northern
Pacific main line and branches for the
past week. The inspection has been
made of the Montana lines and towns
exclusively. Beginning at Glendive the
party has come by easy stages to Mis-,
scuba. From here they went to Darby,
and this morning left Missoula for a
trip over the line and branches be-
tween here and Helena
Mr.. Elliott says Montana is in fine
shape. The farmers and the people in.
the towns are busy and optimistic, and
that, declared the president, is a good
sign. The only thing amiss that he
could see was that the farmers are in
clined to develop their acres too mar
roWly and raise only one or two things
for market. Il would like to impress
on every farmer in the state, indi-
vidually," he said, the ACCESSIBILITY of
diversified farming"
Bitter Root Looks Good.
In speaking of the Bitter Root, Mr..
Elliott said: The Bitter Root has
always been good, and this year it
looks as good or a little better than
ever. However, even in the Bitter
Root, they specialize too greatly in ap-
pies. Not that apples are o good,
but diversified farming would be bet
ter.
Another thing about the Bitter
Root. They should exercise the great
est care in packing and shipping the
fruit. / am glad to hear that they have
an organization up there looking to-
ward better packing and better condi-
lions generally, but now they should
go ahead and make the name of Bit
ter Root famous. Like the name on
Armour's Star ham, the w in
the valley should make the name suf-
ficient in itself, so that when a buyer
sees the name Bitter Root on a box
of apples he will know that it is of a
certain high standard" =
T., ,,a,r, wi -.
this year the president said there
would be one other than the improv-
ing of the line and branches already
built. ~
Many People Coming.
A great future was predicted for
Montana by Mr.. Elliott. People, he
said, are coming into the state this
summer from central and southern
states. The Northern Pacific has
agents working in several southern
states, and they all report a big influx
of homeseekers for Montana during
the coming spring and summer
months.
The 1900 miles of track owned by
the Northern Pacific, Mr.. Elliott said,
awe come through the long winter in
excellent shape. In speaking of the
local division, the president praised the
work of Superintendent Birdsall of the
Rocky Mountain division.
The officials, who have come through
from Glendive together, separated
here. Z
President Elliott, J. M. Hannaford,
vice president and head of the
traffic department; Thomas Cooper,
to the president and head of
the land department; G. A.. Goodell,
manager; Andrew Gibson, en-
ginecr maintenance of way; Division
Engineer Taylor and w. Fl. Merriman,
division freight and passenger agent,
returned east by way of Helena,
while George r. Slade, third vice presi-
dent, went west. Mr.. Slade will in
spect the inc as far as st. Regis.
He will continue on to Paradise, and
there will be met by e. G. Blanchard,
general superintendent of the lines
west of Paradise. The two officials
Will go Owe the lines to Seattle.
General Superintendent J NJ. Rapclje
left yesterday on NO. 4 for the east. E