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Entrance to City of Great Falls. 



State Farm Loans. 



Farm loans are made from the permanent trust funds of the state. These loans 

 are made upon improved farm lands in sums of not less than $500.00 nor more than 

 two-fifths of the appraised value of the lands offered as security. The loans are made 

 for not less than three nor more than ten years, with interest at the rate of six 

 per cent, with the provision that ten per cent of the principal or any multiple 

 thereof, may be paid in three years from the date of the loan or at any interest 

 paying period thereafter. 



The law did not take effect until March 1917, and it was several months later 

 before farmers awakened to the opportunity that was given them of borrowing money 

 on farm loans at long time, at a lower rate of interest than could be secured any 

 place else except from a federal land bank. 



In spite of the late start in 1917, there were 305 applications passed upon by the 

 state land agent for an aggregate of $716,700, covering a total of 98,780 acres dis- 

 tributed among 39 counties of the state. Only four counties in the state made no 

 application for loans in 1917. 



Loans are made on a conservative basis, because of the desire to help as many 

 farmers as possible at the low rate of interest. An average amount of $2,350 was 

 loaned to each farmer in 1917, in amount varying from $5 an acre to $25 an acre, 

 depending upon the character of the soil, its state of cultivation and other factors. 



Cheap Hail Insurance. 



Although hail losses in Montana are not numerous, provision has been made 

 for the insurance of crops against these losses. This insurance is provided, under 



