92 



MONTANA: INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES 



JUDITH BASIN COUNTY 



UMEROUS small towns and many big grain 

 elevators in the eastern and northern parts 

 of Judith Basin county reflect the promi- 

 nence of agriculture. Sapphire and some 

 gold, silver and copper mining characterize 

 the southwestern region, while at Lehigh, 

 in the geographical coiter of the county, 

 loal mining is important. The annual pro- 

 duction of sapphires from this county ex- 

 ceeds in value the output of precious stones 

 of all the rest of the United States. Large 

 deposits of good iron ore are awaiting de- 

 velopment. For a while at least it is prob- 

 able that the development of this county 

 will he more along agricultural than in- 

 dustrial lines. 



.ludith r.asiu county lies in central 

 Montana, with a maximum length and 

 breadth of about ;jO miles. The crest of 

 the Little Belt range of mountains defines its southern and the Highwood moun- 

 tains most of its northcni boundary. Numerous small streams, rising in the Little 

 Belt mountains, flow nortlu-asterly through the county. Springs are numerous 

 and good well water is found at depths of 15 to 75 feet. Most of the agricultural 

 areas are rolling bench lands on which limestone soil types predominate, while 

 sandy and clay loams arc found along the foothills extending to the mountain-;. 



Non-irrigated farming is generally followed, the acreage of irrigated lands 

 being relatively small. The Judith Basin district occupies the eastern portion 

 of the county and extends into Fergus comity. It has long en- 

 The Judith joyed a reputation as one of the leading wheat producing centers 

 Basin of the state. In 1922 Judith Basin county I'anked eighth in wheat 



production. Wheat, both winter and spring, is the leading 

 cash crop, and good yields are usually obtained. The records of the U. S. 

 Weather Bureau show the annual precipitation is greater than over most of 

 the plains regions of the state. The elevation of the agricultural areas is about 

 4,000 feet. Except for fodder, corn is not generally grown. Alfalfa and timothy 

 give good yields on the valley lands. Oats, barley and rye are staple crops. The 

 lighter soils on the benches require careful tillage methods to prevent soil 

 blowing which sometimes causes trouble. In localities adjacent to the mountains, 

 livestock raising is the chief agricultural activity, with small grain farming 

 secondary. There has been a gradual change throughout the county in recent 

 years toward a more diversified system of farming and many farms are now carry- 

 ing small herds of pure-bred livestock as a supplement to general farming. A little 

 more than a fourth of the area of the county is included within national forests 

 which afford summer grazing. 



The sapphire production of the county averages in value about .$200,000 a 



year. The output is regulated, however, by the market demand. Coal takes 



second i>lace. Large coal measures exist in the county but 



Coal, Iron the main operation is at Lehigh. Mining for gold, silver and 



and Jewels copper is l)eing done on a small scale. It is probable that 



eventually the iron deposits in this county will rank as the 



most important mineral resources, the proximity of coal and limestone being factors 



calculated to influence their development. 



