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heavy clay, and in the southwest corner, it is gravelly. The source of the water is 

 Birch Creek, supplemented by the waters of Dupuyer Creek. The Birch Creek 

 Reservoir has been in use three years and is equipped by a dam which has with- 

 stood record-breaking floods. The total estimated cost of the project is $4,060,946 

 and nearly $4,000,000 has been expended. The land yields great crops and the 

 settlers are among the most prosperous in Montana. The price of water right per 

 acre is $50. 



Teton and Little Missouri. 



Next in size is the Teton Project, which is situated between the Valier Project 

 and the Sun River Project of the U. S. Reclamation Service. It comprises 34,206 

 acres and the topographical condition and soil are practically the same as those 

 of the Valier Project. The waters are obtained from the Teton River and the 

 Blackleaf and Muddy Creeks. It is planned to irrigate about 30,000 acres. Some 

 $400,000 have been spent on the work to date. 



The Little Missouri Project is third in size as to acreage, having about 20,000. 

 It is located in the southeastern corner of the state in what is now known as 

 Carter county. The soil is heavy clay and loam. The source of water supply is the 

 Little Missouri and Cottonwood Creek. The entire 20,000 acres are susceptible of 

 Irrigation. About 6,000 acres of this amount are privately owned, the balance open 

 for entry or purchase. The project is estimated to cost $250,000 and between 

 $75,000 and $85,000 have been expended. The land is fertile and yields heavy crops 

 of cereals, vegetables and hay. 



"Billings Bench." 



The Billings Project, known locally as the "Billings Bench" is in Yellowstone 

 county and lies northeast of the city of Billings. It includes within its boundaries 

 about 34,000 acres of which 26,000 acres are to be brought under ditch. The 

 total cost of the project to date is about $500,000. The land under ditch is in a high 

 state of cultivation and large crops of wheat, oats, sugar beets and potatoes are 

 raised. 



Big Timber and Flatwillow. 



The land embraced in the Big Timber Project aggregates nearly 12,000 acres, 

 most of which is under ditch. The project has been practically completed and 

 is in a flourishing condition as it has an abundance of good water, a system of 

 reservoirs and ditches constructed so solidly as to avoid chances of inability to 

 deliver water when required. The state has 7,356 acres and the settlers about 3,300 

 acres. 



Flatwillow Project lies in Fergus county and includes about 7,800 acres. The 

 land is level to undulating, the soil a sandy loam mixed with clay. The altitude 

 is 3,000 feet. The source of water is Flatwillow Creek. About $30,000 has beeD 

 spent on the project which will soon be completed. 



Irrigation Wins. 



Contrary to the experience of some of the western states with regard to Carey 

 Land Act projects, Montana people have been satisfied with their administration 

 so far and the companies operating them have handled their affairs in such a way 

 that water is furnished at a reasonable price per acre. 



Irrigation is coming into favor as its benefits are coming to be more generally 

 understood among the farming population. 



The dry land system of farming brings adequate returns as a rule and the 

 expense of irrigation plants has been avoided. But it has been discovered that 

 on "off years" the farmer who has at his command a sufficient supply of water 

 to moisten his ground at a critical time, has an advantage. Whether he only has 

 to use irrigating ditches once in ten years, the availability of water acts as crop 

 insurance and adds greatly to the value of his property. And in the years that 

 water is needed he is assured of his customary yield of grain, hay and vegetables. 



