Fergus County Democrat., 1916-12-21
Fergus, the third largest county in

in the geographical center Of the
state 1t is about lis miles from east
to west and 60 north and south, con-
tains tits square miles or a. total
which is decided land One may get
comparative idea OF its immense
size when one realizes that Fergus
county contains 93S square miles OF
territory more than the combined
area Of Rhode Island and Connecti-
cut.
The county is naturally divided into
two great divisions, the western or Ju-
dith Basin, and the eastern or plains
district.
The former is large level plain
between the Snowy mountains to the
south, the Belts to the west and the
Moccasin to the north and the Ju-
diths to the east. Including the noun
tains within this boundary the basin
comprises about one-half of the total
area of county. The eastern half Of
the county, as stated abovr lies at
the western border of the great plains
area Of the west with the Judith and
Snowy mountains forming the back
ground The average elevation of the
basin is around 4,10O feet and that of
the eastern half around $500 feet
above sea level.
Drainage.
The streams of the county arising
in the mountains all flow towards
the north and east, emptying into
either the Missouri or Musselshell.
These numerous streams provide am
pie drainage for surrounding country,
water for livestock and for irrigation
purposes along the valleys.
Minerals and Soils.
The mineral resources of the coun-
ty comprise both metallic and non
metallic. Gold in ore quantities has
been mined in the Judith and North
Moccasin mountains. Great gypsum
deposits are found along Big Spring
creek both above and below Lewis
town. Large gypsum plans are be-
ing established at Heath and Hanover.
Building stone is obtained from the
Kootenai sandstone near Lewistown
and elsewhere. Clay for manufacture
ing high quality brick is also found
in many localities. Coal, the princi-
pal non-metallic mineral, is found in
many localities on upper Sage creek
above Windham, Buck creek above
Moore, Big Spring creek above Lew
istown, Judith mountains east of Lew
istown, and Mcdonald creek, Forest
Grove.
The soils of Fergus county are very
productive, containing the principal
plant food elements, nitrogen, potas-
SUM and phosphorus. The surface
soil usually varies in depth from a
few inches to several feet The sub
soil is of gravel limestone forma-
ton.
Climate.
The climate of Fergus county ap-
pears to appeal to all who have lived
here. The winters are not as severe
nor the summers as hot as those of
the eastern central states.
The eastern part of the county be-
ing lower has a longer season than
the basin, but has perhaps a lower
precipitation. The precipitation is
we'll distributed during the growing
season, about 70 per cent falling dur
ing that period. The average rain
fall at the Moccasin substation ap-
pears to be 1856 inches during the
past IS years, which is ample for the
production of bountiful grain crops.
Nearer the mountains the precipita-
ton is still greater. Another import
ant factor that enters into the crop
growth where climate is considered is
the low evaporation of this section.
Crops Grown.
The Judith Basin and part of the
eastern end are essentially winter
wheat districts, having become famous
for the yields and quality of its Tur-
key Red. Spring wheats, both durum
and Marquis, also do well. Flax is an
other cash market crop. Barley and
oats are grown for feeding purposes
and are Of exceptionally good quail
ity. Corn will become one of the lead
ing crops of the Musselshell district
when that section becomes developed
Potatoes of excellent quality are
grown in all parts, as well as all root
crops. When the two irrigation prof.
ects in the Winnett section are de-
veloped sugar beet raising will be-
come one of the leading enterprises
of that district. The principal forage
crops grown are alfalfa, sweet clover,
timothy and in some eastern districts
Sudan grass corn for fodder purposes
is also grown quite extensively in the
Roy, Grass Range and Winnett Sec
tions. Practically no irrigation is