SOUTH EASTERN MONTANA 



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Stockraising and Non-Irrigated Farming the Chief Industries — One of the Leading 



Corn Districts, Large Coal Fields — Rail Facilities Hinder 



Development of the Southern Part. 



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In the days of the trail herds one of the most noted stock districts of the 

 northwest, stoolcraisinj; still continues to he the leading industry of South 

 Eastern Montana, which emln-aces Carter, Fallon, Custer, Powder River, Rosebud, 

 Treasure and Big Horn comities. Except in the Yellowstone and Big Horn val- 

 leys, non-irrigated farming is the dominant method of agriculture. The one-crop 

 system has prevailed but in recent years corn, to which the region is well adapted, 

 has been inti'oduced, and the acreage devoted to it is rapidly expanding. Most 

 of the southern half of the district is handicapped by lack of railroad facilities. 

 Considerable alfalfa seed is raised. In the irrigated districts of Rosebud, Treasure 

 and Big Horn counties sugar beets are grown. In Rosebud and Treasure water- 

 melons and cucumbers, and in Powder River county, popcorn, are receiving 

 attention. 



The largest coal measures in the state underlay this district, and it is the 

 leading producer of natural gas. Oil in commercial quantities has been found in 

 the western part where thei'e is also considerable undeveloped hydroelectric 

 power and big deposits of gypsum. 



The growing season ranges from 120 to 145 days and the elevation from 2,300 

 to .3.000 feet. 



CARTER COUNTY 



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The coal 

 National 



iARTER, in the southeastern corner of 

 ^Montana, bounded by Wyoming on the 

 south and by South Dakota on the east, is 

 a county of potential possibilities rather 

 than of actual development. Lack of rail 

 transportation facilities is responsible for 

 this. Livestock raising is the chief in- 

 dustry. AgricultTU'o has progressed far 

 enough to demonstrate it has a bright fu- 

 ture. The county possesses large coal 

 fields, some deposits of barite, building 

 stone, and has many potential oil domes, on 

 several of which drilling is under way. 

 There is practically no irrigated farming 

 but in the south end of the county, on the 

 Little INIissouri, there is a considerable area 

 that can be irrigated. The county possesses 

 several resources that help to overcome the 

 handicap of remoteness from the railroad, 

 fields provide abundant and cheap fuel, and the timber in the Sioux 

 Forest, which is in three tracts, lumber for building purposes. 



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