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MUSSELSHELL COOTY. 



Musselshell county is named from the Musselshell river, which traverses the 

 county from west to east and with its tributaries drains the greater part of the 

 county. The county was created from parts of Fergus, Yellowstone and Meagher 

 counties, by an act of the legislature, on March 1, 1911. 



Its industries are coal mining, stock growing, grain farming, and diversified 

 farming to a limited extent. Its ccal deposits are very extensive, estimated to 

 cover an area of seme GOO square miles. A small percentage of these lands have 

 been exploited, but several producing mines are being operated in the county, pro- 

 ducing upwards of 7,000 tons daily. An excellent grade of coal is mined, a large 

 amount of it being used by the Milwaukee railroad for its engines. 



A constantly increasing acreage is being seeded to wheat, the production in 

 1917 being estimated at 1,000,000 bushels. For 1918 the acreage is considerably 

 increased, and the yield will be correspondingly heavier. Dry land iarming is 

 the prevailing method of eultivatien, and yields of from 25 to 40 bushels of wheat 

 to the acre are not uncommon, the average yield being about 28 bushels. A small 

 acreage lying along the river is irrigated ani produces splendid alfalfa, clover, 

 corn and garden crops. The bench lands are surprisingly productive, and alfalfa 

 and sweet clover have been successfully grown on these lands. Among vege- 

 tables the root crops are yielding good returns, and cats, ilax, barley, and rye 

 arc produced extensively. 



There are very few homestead lands to be had which arc suited for general 



farm purposes, most of them being enly suite! for grazing. There are, however, 



plenty of lands which may be purchased at reasonable prices, and on long terms, 



Rvhich will make splendid wheat land. The cairying business is coming into 



prominence, and will eventually be cne of the chief sources of revenue of the 



farmers who are preparing for it. Sweet clover is being extensively sown for hay, 

 pasture and silage, and seems to thrive on dry land and benches. 



Formerly the territory comprising this county was devoted to extensive cattle 

 and sheep ranches, some of which still remain, but with the ccming of the rail- 

 road, settlers and homesteaders appeared, until now the production of small 

 grains is the chief occupation of the farmers. There are still several big outfits 

 operating ranches, and shipping a substantial number of cattle to eastern markets. 



Roundup, the county seat and chief city is a thriving city of nearly 5,000 peo- 

 ple, with paved' streets, sewer, water and light systems, and substantial business 

 houses and banks. Two coal camps located at the outskirts of the city produce 

 5,000 tons of coal daily, and give employment to nearly 1,000 men whose payroll 

 averages $100,000 per menth. Four elevators and a llcuring mill care for the 

 large wheat crop tributary to this point. There is a four year accredited high 

 school and an excellent graded school system. 



Melstone at the eastern extremity of the county is a division point for the 

 railroad and furnishes a trading center to a large number of farmers in that 

 section. It also has several undeveloped coal fields which will eventually add 

 materially to its prosperity. 



Ryegate at the western end of the county is surrounded by a fertile farming 

 community. It is a substantial town and is increasing in importance and popula- 

 tion. 



Lavina is also one of the agricultural centers of the county and the rich farms 

 around it are causing it to grow and prosper. An artesian well furnishes an abund- 

 ance of fine water at good pressure. The new town is located about a mile from 

 the old town which was quite a noted place in the old stage coach days. 



The area of the county is 2,944 square miles, and is located in the Billings 

 and Lewistown land districts. There are about 37,194 acres of public land yet 

 available for homesteading while 93,388 acres of state land can be purchased in 

 the county. The population is estimated at about 14,000. 



The character of the soil, the climate conditions and sheltered positions of 

 considerable area of land in Musselshell county suggest that fruit growing on a 

 commercial basis would be -successful; and the growing of sugar beets on irrigated 

 lands in the valley would surely be carried on on a large scale if there were a 

 beet sugar factory within shipping distance. 



The assessed valuation of the county in 1918 is $15,119,187 including the 

 railroad property. 



