SOUTH EASTERN MONTANA 47 



from sandy loam to clay and hoavy clay loams, the latter predominating in the 

 valleys, with the lighter soil tyites for the most part in the uphinds. 



Naturally adapted to stock raising, this industry from the beginning has been 

 the county's most important business and, while it probably will continue to be 

 important, in recent years there has been a marked growth in 

 Stock Raising farming. The uplands are g(>nei'ally devoted to a non-irrigated 

 Chief Industry system of diversified farming, and the irrigated valleys to al- 

 falfa, cereal grains and some truck crops and sugar beets. 

 Spring wheat is the chief cash crop. An increasing acreage is being devoted to 

 corn, the seasonal conditions being particularly favorable for it. Corn is stimu- 

 lating the swine industry. Climatic conditions are most favorable to alfalfa. Both 

 hay and seed are produced, and in high grade seed production the county ranks 

 among the leaders. There is an increasing interest in dairying. A co-opei"ative 

 livestock shipping association has been organized. 



While there were about 9,000 acres of land irrigated when the census was 

 taken, it is estimated 14,000 acres are watered. It is hoped to start construction 

 in 1024 on the Buffalo Rapids project near Miles City, for the reclamation of 

 125.000 acres of Yellowstone valley land in Custer, Rosebud and Dawson coun- 

 ties. The plans contemplate a hydro-electric project on the Yellowstone River 

 developing 17,500 horse power which will be used in pumping at a cost of about 

 $2.50 an acre a season. The estimated cost is $2,000,000. 



The largest industrial enterprise is the Milwaukee repair shops at Miles 

 City. Custom-made stock saddles from Miles City establishments have found a 

 market throughout the western United States and the stock-growing districts of 

 South America. Other industries include an oil refinery and a large creamery. 



The county is underlain by beds of lignite coal. Sandstone is abundant. 

 There has been some exploration for oil. 



The main lines of the Northern Pacific and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. 



Paul follow the Yellowstone River southwesterly through the northern part of 



the county. The new north and south railroad to Wyoming 



A New goes southwesterly up Tongue River. Two main east and 



Railroad west automobile highways parallel the Yellowstone and there 



are secondary highways running south from Miles City into 



South Dakota and Wyoming. 



In the south end of the county large cattle ranches, conducted much the same 

 as in frontier range days, are to be found. The Snow Creek Game Preserve, 

 created through the efforts of W. T. Hornaday of the New York Zoological Society, 

 can best be reached from Miles City. Annually, that city stages a frontier rodeo 

 and wild west show. 



Miles Cit.v, the county seat, is the largest city in southeastern Montana, and 

 a jobbing center for a large area. Operation of the new railroad will enhance 

 its importance. It is a modern and up-to-date communit.v. For man.v years it was 

 the largest primary horse riiarket in the world. Trading points in the farming 

 and stock-growing districts include Ismay, Kinsey, Beebe, Shirley, Ulmer and 

 Calabar. 



CUSTER COUNTY — Rank.s twelfth in population (12,194); eleventh in area 

 (2,394,240 acres); thirty-sixth In combined 1922 crop and livestock value; twenty-second 

 in 1920 mineral production; ninth in bank deposits, 1922; thirteenth in assessed valua- 

 tion, 1922. Acres public land, 136,154; acres state land, 125,955; acres military reser- 

 vations, 51,840. 



WEALTH PRODUCTION — Estimated 1922 crop value. $717,700; estimated live- 

 stock value, January, 1923, $1,864,000; coal production, 1920, $18,000; total bank de- 

 posits, September 15, 1922, $4,339,845. 



TAXATION 1922 — Total assessed valuation, $29,454,892; total taxable value. 

 $9,784,948. Total outstanding county bond indebtedness, $615,000; total outstanding 

 county warrant indebtedness, $7,744; total outstanding soliool bond indebtedness. 

 $511,028; total geneial and special countv taxes, $279,959; total general and district 

 school taxes, $269,477; total municipal taxes, $111,757; total state taxes, $46,420; total 

 tax (inclusive municipal), per capita, $58.03. 



