: THKTKEASURESTATE 167: 



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CROP PRODUCTION^:riie following gives the estimated crop production for 

 1915: wheat, 450,000 bushels; oats, 575,000 bushels; barley, 45,000 bushels; corn, 

 65,000 bushels; flax, 70,000 bushels; potatoes, 80,000 bushels; hay, 12,500 tons. 



In 1915, the assessor's rolls showed the following livestock: horses, 7,626 

 head; milch cows, 1,552 head; other cattle, 7,242 head; sheep, 55,184 head; swine, 

 1.779 head. 



RAVALLI COUNTY. 



Between the high Bitter Root mountain range which forms the western boundary 

 of Montana and an outlaying range of the Rocky mountains lies the Bitter Root 

 valley noted as one of the most wonderful sections of America on account of the 

 salubrity of the climate, the fertility of the soil and the beauty of the scenery. 

 All but about fifteen miles of this valley, which is about 75 miles long and 

 varies in width from a mile or two to fifteen miles or more, is in Ravalli county. 

 On both sides are extensive foothills and benches. From the mouniains descend 

 many streams that furnish water for irrigation, and through the length of the 

 valley flows the beautiful Bitter Root river, one of the headwaters of the Columbia 

 river. Protected by mountain ranges the winters are usually mild, the thermometer 

 rarely falling to zero. The summers are delightful; the days are never excessively 

 hot and the nights are always cool There are many places of rare scenic beauty, 

 mineral springs, excellent trout streams, and places where big game may be found. 

 The first church in Montana was established by Father DeSmet in the Bitter 

 Root valley in 1841; and there the first crops of wheat, oats and potatoes were 

 grown. The first flour and saw mills to be built in what is now the state of 

 Montana were built then under the direction of the Catholic missionaries to the 

 Flathead Indians, the tribe which inhabited the country. Ravalli county was formed 

 from Missoula county in 1893 and named for Father Ravalli one of the pioneer 

 priests. 



The industries are farming, fruit growing and lumbering. Agriculture in 

 Montana had its beginning in the Bitter Root valley which early attracted settlers 

 who engaged in stock raising and in farming. Hay, wheat ana oats made 

 astonishing yields. Marcus Daly, the copper magnate, bought a large tract of land 

 near Hamilton and made the most highly improved farm in Montana. Good 

 crops have been grown without irrigation on bench lands. The valley lands are 

 irrigated and large yields of all staple crops are harvested every year. A new 

 and promising crop is seed peas. The potato rivals the apple as a profit pro- 

 ducing crop. 



Celery, asparagus, tomatoes, peas, cabbage and other vegetables are raised in 

 large quantities and sold in the cities of the state. 



Ravalli is not a range stock county, but has many pure bred horses, cattle 

 and hogs. The Bitter Root Stock Farm at Hamilton was formerly the home of 

 Mr. Daly's stable of famous thoroughbred and standard bred horses and many 

 noted performers on race tracks were raised there. The dairy stock Is of high 

 grade and the valley has many advantages as a dairying section. 



Some of the early settlers planted fruit trees which succeeded so well that 

 it became evident that the Bitter Root valley possessed unique advantages as a 

 fruit district, and much credit is due to the early fruit growers whose experiments 

 resulted in building up a great industry. Orchards are found in all parts of the 

 valley and on bench lands that are not suitable for farming. The profits from 

 growing apples are so great that no one can afford to grow grain on lands suitable 

 for orchards. Large capital has been enlisted in developing irrigation and 

 orchard enterprises and much publicity has been given to the attractions and 

 advantages of this section. One of the longest private irrigation canals in the 

 world has been constructed by the Bitter Root Valley Irrigation company. 



