The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-16

engaged in his work for The Nilsson
liam in western Montana, the writer
has taken great pleasure in attending
the meetings of commercial clubs ant
farmers associations in many dis.
tricts.
Discussions along various lines
We're INDUCED in, but the subject
which seemed to be of most interest
in fact, the sole absorbing topic, per
tanned to the evolution from ranching
with stock as the nucleus Of prosper
ity, with a one-crop plan of hay an6
grain carried on from year to year
to he diversified farm with the pillow
the COW and the sow as a more GER
tain means Of profit-the inevitable
outcome of the passing of the public
domain and the great free range
This is an encouraging sign for agri-
culture in Montana.
The low price of wheat this season
and the lack of a market for hay, one
cause Of which was the abundant sup
ply everywhere, particularly in those
districts where beef cattle have beer
Utmost entirely sold off, in which
heretofore was consumed a large part
of our western crop, has diverted at
tention to those communities where,
in spite Of adverse market conditions,
the farmer with his more diversified
methods, has passed through a poor
season, conspicuous in his success
with the dairy as the means of solv-
ing the great problem.
With envious eyes, ranchers looked
toward ~Stevensville, the famous old
town in the heart of the Bitter Root
valley, with it's cooperative creamery
and highly developed farms, as the
example whereby the feasibility and
pra%cticability of the theory of CO.
operation and the diversified farm is
demonstrated, with the resultant pros
pcrity which this advanced method
of handling the agricultural problem
promotes.
The story of the success of the Bit
ter Root cooperative Creamery is
put forth to encourage d%airying
throughout all the west, especially in
the fertile valleys of the Rockies,
where the remarkable productiveness
OF the soil giving record crops of III
tritious grasses, legumes and root
crops, the pure waters of the never
failing mountain streams, the long
sunny days, the cold nights and the
freedom from insect pest particularly
favor this profitable industry.
A visit, to this historic old town to-
day show a bee hive of activity.
One is impressed with the evident
prosperity that exists in this district,
and the absence of that persistent
crouch and pessimism that prevails in
other less favored communities.
The spirit of cooperation seems to
permeate the air.
The irrigation canals, the Main
spring of success in this district, are
run under a cooperative plan. Buy
ing and selling organizations of the
Fruit Growers union and Farmers
Cooperative associations are proving
satisfactory in every respect, finding
a market for products of the soil and
buying commodities, such as seed
grain, flour, wire, lime and sulphur
spray, etc, in carload lots and dis
tributing the same at minimum ex-
pense.
But the shining light in the COM
munity that encourages cooperation
in all directions is the creamery.
Here cream and eggs are gathered
and mark eted under the most ad-
vanced system for eliminating loss
and bringing greater returns.
The monthly check from the cream
cry does away with bartering and ex-
change and provides cash to purchase
goods wherever the articles can be
had cheapest.
This feature in connection with
diversified farming and cooperative
methods is in itself one of the best
recommendations for the system. and
in doing away with the most discour-
aging end of farming, that Of the pur-
chasing Of necessaries on time at ex-
brilliant prices and exorbitant inter
est. one of the best incentives to in
spire greater efforts is promoted.
In numerous towns throughout
western Montana the writer has no.
ticed placards announcing the prices
of farm machinery and groceries un-
der the familiar plan of one price for
cash n another for credit at usually
a difference of Is to 20 per cent. If
for no other reason thar a source of
available cash at all times of the year,
the cream check proves a Godsend in
a saving which, during the year, will
amount to several hundred dollars.
The direct effect accruing from the
distribution of cash monthly at Ste
Vensville is not alone apparent among
The farmers, whose living has nate
rally improved, with better homes,
social intercourse and f~raternalism,
encouraging the ambitious and giving
him opportunities to foster those
things in which they can excel, but it
reflects it's effects among the mer-
chants.
The l~istless, Indifferent, happy-go-
lucky methods of doing business so
pronounced in most of our western
towns is superseded by a progressive,
up-to-the-minute enterprise, SO Wig
orous and energetic that the stores
are modern emporiums, catering to
the Whim of the people, carrying only
the newest and freshest stocks Of
great variety, latest styles and this
seasons goods at attractive prices,
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