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r II i: T H i; \ s i h i: s t a t i: 





Logging in the Forests of Western Montana. 



represents an aggregate community wealth of approximately $1,500,000,000. To a 

 state whose greatest resource is its agricultural land, the value of such a body of 

 timber is incalcuable. This great body of forest land has developed a lumbering in- 

 dustry which, with its enormous pay roll, adds much to the prosperity of the state 

 and assists in furnishing a market for the products of Montana's farms. 



The real value of Montana's diversity of resources cannot be even estimated. Not 

 only are each of them adding millions of dollars to the wealth of the State, but in 

 addition the success of each industry contributes largely though indirectly to the 

 success of others. This is particularly true with regard to the influence which Mon- 

 tana's mining, lumbering and industrial resources have upon the development of the 

 farm lands of the State. Not only do these industries offer a home market for many 

 of the farm, garden and range products of the state, but in other ways they con- 

 tribute to the success of the farmer and particularly the new settler. The first years 

 on a new homestead are necessarily lean years for the farmer, and in the majority of 

 instances he welcomes an opportunity to earn a little money on the outside while 

 getting ready to grow crops. The five months annual leave of absence allowed under 

 the homestead laws is being put to practical advantage by many new settlers, who 

 spend this period working at good wages in the mining or lumbering districts, and 

 thus secure ready cash to assist them in their farming operations. In many instances 

 the opportunity to secure outside work of this character has enabled a man of lim- 

 ited means to make a success where failure would otherwise have characterized his 

 homesteading operations. 



Montana has been proclaimed the greatest grain producing state in the Union, and 

 Its great agricultural wealth is so strongly supported by so many other industries that 

 Its lasting prosperity is assured. 



