and extensions. The lands to which irrigation works are constructed are Indian 

 allotments and are being irrigated by Indians or white renters. 



The climate on the project is such that wheat, flax, hay, alfalfa, oats, potatoes 

 and small vegetables are successfully raised. In 1918, 2,448 acres were irrigated. 

 The total expenditures to June 30, 1918, were $1,012,644 and it is estimated that the 

 project will cost $3,500,000 when completed. 



Flathead Project. 



The Flathead project is located in the counties of Missoula, Sanders and Flat- 

 head. It is on the Pacific slope on the drainage areas of the Flathead and Jocko 

 Rivers, on the Flathead Indian Reservation. 



The irrigable area of the project is 152,000 acres. During 1918 the Reclamation 

 Service was prepared to water 84,300 acres. The area actually irrigated was 21,000 

 acres. All homestead land has been entered. State land and certain Indian lands 

 are leased. Ready sale occurs when these lands are offered. 



The average rainfall for the past nine years is 17.94 inches. The elevation is 

 3,000 feet above sea-level. All crops maturing in the northern latitudes can be 

 raised. The number of farms irrigated in 1918 was 650, three times the amount 

 irrigated in 1916. 



The leading crops have been wheat, oats, hay and potatoes. Fruits and garden 

 vegetables are raised successfully. A considerable number of new settlers have come 

 to the project during the past year, being purchasers of Indian allotments and 

 state lands, which have been sold. The lands bring an average price of $25 per 

 acre. There are fourteen thriving towns on the project. 



Port Peck Project. 



The Fort Peck Indian Project is located in the northeastern part of the state 

 on the reservation of that name. The irrigable area lies in the Missouri Rwer 

 valley and in the valleys of the Poplar River, Big Porcupine Creek, Little Porcupine 

 Creek and Big Muddy Creek. The entire project covers 152,000 acres in these 

 valleys. The Reclamation Service was prepared to supply water for 16,620 acres 

 in 1918. The amount actually irrigated was 1,800 acres. 



The soil is rich and produces excellent crops with irrigation. The average 

 rainfall has been 13.51 inches for the past 32 years. The temperatures vary from 

 40° below zero to 105° above. 



The rainfall was so light in 1917 that the amount of water available was not 

 enough to supply the demand in 1918. The principal products raised are hay, 

 grain and vegetables. The principal markets are Minneapolis and St. Paul as the 

 project is situated on the main line of the Great Northern railway to these points. 



At present, the irrigable land is withdrawn from entry. When the irrigation 

 works are completed, the total cost per acre will be announced and the land 

 opened to entry by public notice from the Secretary of the Interior. A consider- 

 able number of the Indians are receiving patent in fee to their irrigable allotments 

 and they are being disposed of at prices ranging from $30 to $40 per acre, 

 the purchaser assuming the payment of the construction of the irrigation works. 

 By the Act of May 18, 1916, Congress fixed the method of payment on a twenty 

 year basis with the maximum payment of seven per centum of the total costs 

 assessed against the land. 



The following table gives a summary of the federal irrigation projects in 

 Montana: 



