Making of j f Merchandise 



Manufacturing is Receiving an Impetus With Many New 



Industries Starting, Due to the Raw Materials at Hand, 



Cheap Electric Power and Good Markets 



'HILE Montana has not been a manufacturing state to any extent 

 in the past, Hie last few years has seen a number of enterprises 

 started and well on their way to become permanently established. 

 Lumber mills and smelters have been operating for a number of 

 years, but with the development of water power and more di- 

 versified products, many other industries are beginning in the 

 state. "With the growth in population and the natural conditions 

 favorable, it seems only a short time until Montana shall take 

 its place among the manufacturing states. 



Besides the lumber mills and smelters, the manufacturing industries now 

 in Montana include, the flour and cereal mills, the meat packing establish- 

 ments, flax, fibre mills, a cement factory, canning factories for fruits and 

 vegetables, sugar beet factories, creameries and cheese factories. Many of these 

 have been in operation for several years, others are of more recent establishments, 

 while several others are now under construction. The fact that Montana is rich in 

 the raw materials for all of these plants, has cheap power from the great hydro- 

 electric plants already established, and a good market close at hand, the condi- 

 tions for success are certainly assured. 



Meat Packing Important. 



The meat packing industry has made rapid progress since its establishment 

 a short time ago. Today most of the larger cities have meat packing plants to 

 take care of the products of their territories and to supply the local market with 

 the finished products. 



The largest packing plant in the state is at Great Falls. This company has 

 recently been reorganized with the expectation of enlarging the plant to take care 

 of the increased business. It plans to buy the cattle, sheep and hogs from Montana 

 farmers and to sell the products in Montana markets, thereby saving much trans- 

 portation charge. Besides the livestock, the company expects to handle dairy and 

 poultry products. 



Another large concern, the Northwestern Packing company, is building a pack- 

 ing plant at East Helena. It is planned to make this one of the largest in the 

 state with a capitalization of $500,000. Power will be supplied by electricity from 

 the Montana Power company. 



Other plants in the state now operating are the Hansen Packing company, of 

 Butte; Yellowstone Packing company, of Billings; Merrill Packing company, of 

 Anaconda; J. R. Daly, of Missoula, and numerous smaller establishments. Swift & 

 Co. have established a large distributing house at Billings at a cost of $50,000, from 

 which products will be sold to Montana concerns. 



The growth of the industry in the state will depend largely upon the produc- 

 tion of hogs by the farmers and the consumption of the products by the local 

 people. Hogs are fed and fattened on barley and alfalfa and should continue to be 

 raised profitably in the state. There is no reason why a good many cattle and 



