Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1922-11-09
ARE WE DOWNHEARTED?


Humanity is famous for its propensity to consider the grass
on the other side of the fence greener than in its own pas
Sometimes a farmer. discouraged by the adverse conditions
of the past few years. seriously considers selling out and seeking
a home where conditions are more favorable. Where are those
greener pastures? We have failed TO find them The Elysian
fields of Washington with their attractive visions of fruit and
plenty suffered the most disastrous drought of years in the sum-
mer of 1922. The $3.50 an acre land of Iowa can not pay interest on
the investment. The Ganatin farmers are compelled to summer fai-
low because of the foul seed which continued irrigation has
brought. Elsewhere in Montana wherever the wheat farmer is
found, you find a burden of indebtedness which only a series of
bountiful years with exceptional prices for wheat can lquidate.
Banks have failed to open their doors. not because of manipu-
lations of their funds. but because of the calamitous shrinkage
The resources of these widely scattered areas of Montana
consist of wheat lands, the cowman and the sheepman having
been exterminated by the encroaching barbwire, a few head of
dairy stock, a scanty number of swine and the omnipresent hen;
Ii the wheat crop iails only source o income mas 1aiIeo ana
the country must i've upon It's borrowing power untl such time
as crops are harvested. 49,.
On the other hand, let us survey the resources of this Belt
We have farm lands that have produced something every
eight or ten bushels in that worst year. We have had a hay crop
every year but one in that same length of time. Of potatoes we
is better in this county than in any place you can name. Nelhart
Great Falls is fair market for large quantities of farm pro-
duce. We have an unfailing market for sweet cream, butter fat
and butter, while we are fortunate in having an abundance of milk
Beef cattle may be found on almost every ranch from Mike
Lynch's to Lem McCoys and from Charlie Beckstroms to Norman
We have abundance of coal for many years with a good mar
ket during the cold months.
The silver mines of Neihart are being opened in such a way
as to guarantee the steady employment of scores of men and con-
sequently a market for more produce, more coal, and more meat.
Let us analyze a little further. We raise hundreds of thou
sands of bushels of wheat each year. This brings on an average
a quarter of q million dollars annually to the Belt Valley.
1t is impossible to estimate the amount we receive from the
sale of farm produce, but it is a considerable sum.
Train loads of beef cattle go to Chicago every fall, the re-
turns coming in cash to this community, besides those sold to buy
ers locally.
The cream checks issued each year to citizens of this neigh
borhood amount to tens of thousands each year.
Coal is shipped out, cash comes back, which is distributed
in wages of which a great part stays here as payment for pro-
duce brought. The silver mines are an asset in the same way,
valleys.
We owe money for that hay? Of course we do. But to whom
do we owe it! Principally to our local people, for it represents the
savings of our own people deposited in our local banks. Will we
be able to repay it? Of course we will, for have we not the re-
sources of this wonderful valley behind us! Have we not a mar
ket for our pork, our veal, our beef Do we raise anything that we
can not sell? Where Is there a better market7 When we dispose of
products outside of our own community in excess of our pur-
chases the balance of trade is coming our way and in a community
the trade balance becomes predominantly favorable to us. This
reflected by increased bank deposits and iquidated indebted
ness. Nothing can prevent this economic result except personal
extravaganza or the absolute failure of a crop. When that slough
grass for which we squandered almost our souls comes to mind, we
are regretful, almost respondent, but there is something in the
atmosphere of this most favored section that will not let our
thoughts dwell on unpleasant things and our minds with prophetic
the grain on a thousand hills and valleys will ripen, the
hanging heavy, when the cattle, sleek and fat, stand knee
in blue joint, when the mines running to capacity shall add
quota to our wealth, when the dairy cows fulfilled lie sleeply
In the shade waiting for the mixer to accept their donation to our
prosperity and even though interest and taxes are due, we refuse
be blue. Il
Are we downhearted