116 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



mate. During the winter of 1903 and 1904 the zero 

 point was reached but twice and the cold was of but 

 few days' duration. The winter preceding was equally 

 as mild. Little snow falls in the valleys and sleighing 

 for more than a day or two at a time is almost unknown. 

 When there is a fall of snow it is usually carried away 

 by a Chinook wind. This is a warm southwestern wind 

 from the Pacific, and a large fall of snow will ofttimes 

 disappear during a night from its influence. Higher up 

 in the mountains, however, there is a heavy snowfall. 

 These majestic ranges are white from early fall until 

 late the following summer, and on some of the higher 

 peaks the snow never disappears, and can be seen shin- 

 ing brightly during the hottest days of summer. This 

 is a wise provision of nature, for by this snow are nu- 

 merous little mountain streams fed, and they in turn 

 feed the larger ones that supply the rancher with an 

 abundance of water for the crops. There is frequently 

 a cold spell of thre or four days' duration in November, 

 after which the weather moderates and is often and in 

 fact is usually warm and fine until the middle of De- 

 cember and frequently until the first of the year. 



During January there is often cold weather. At 

 rare intervals the thermometer will reach below zero. 

 Febmary is often stormy, but some years open and 

 pleasant, and during this month plowing is often done. 

 March is an uncertain month, but farming operations 

 are generally under full headway toward the last of 

 the month. Thus is the short winter ended. The sum- 

 mers are perfect. While it is quite warm during the 

 day, the nights are always cool and refreshing. There 

 are no sleepless nights on account of the heat. June 

 is the rainy month of the year. This is fortunate, as 

 crops at this period need the rain and the days of warm 

 sunshine that follow. 



Such a mild climate in this northern latitude may 

 seem impossible to the stranger. It must, however, be 

 borne in mind that the great mountain ranges and the 

 trade winds from the Pacific, which prevail here to an 

 extent, modify and change the conditions, and our cli- 

 mate is consequently much milder than the climate of a 

 prairie State of the same northern latitude. 



These mild climatic conditions in connection with 

 the equally favorable range conditions make the Flat- 

 head an exceedingly favorable locality for the raising 

 of live stock. Some of the full bloods and many of 

 the mixed bloods have accumulated fortunes during the 

 past ten years raising cattle. Were it not for the large 

 number of ponies of an inferior grade ranging upon the 

 reservation, it would be an ideal stock country. These 

 little ponies are very destructive to ranges, and consid- 

 ering their numbers, they have, during the past few 

 years, been a heavy tax upon the ranges. With the 

 opening of the reservation these herds of Indian ponies 

 will necessarily be disposed of. The Indians from the 

 earliest times have always looked upon their horses as 

 their riches, the number of head, regardless of size of 

 grade, being the basis of their calculations, and for this 

 reason they have been loath to part with them. 



The pure, dry air makes the most healthful condi- 

 tions prevail. There are practically no contagious dis- 

 eases. For persons suffering from asthma, hay fever, 

 and consumption there are few better places, certainly 

 not for asthma and hay fever. For consumption the 

 outdoor life is best. Camping in the mountains, sleep- 

 ing on the dry earth, breathing the fragrance of the 



pines, climbing the mountains, fishing aad shooting 

 and eating the wild game will give back health. 



On the western part of the reservation there are a 

 number of hot springs, which are visited by many white 

 people during the year. They are very beneficial to 

 those suffering from rheumatism and often effect cures 

 quite remarkable. The drinking of this water is very 

 helpful for all stomach diseases. 



Mere words can not adequately describe the varied 

 and wonderful scenery to be found here. It has been 

 well called the Switzerland of America. A gentleman 

 who has traveled extensively in foreign lands truth- 

 fully remarked that thousands of people annually crosa 

 the Atlantic to see that which is inferior in every way 

 to what can be seen any day on this beautiful reserva- 

 tion. The Mission range is remarkable for its high 

 snow capped mountain peaks, rugged and precipitous 

 sides and deep gorges, so inaccessible that only a moun- 

 tain lion or moccasined foot of an Indian has ever suc- 

 ceeded in reaching them. Streams fed by the everlast- 

 ing snows plunge over ragged mountain ledges, feeding 

 crystal lakes which lie nestled in the dark forests at 

 their feet. 



The greatest lake, the Flathead, lies one-half within 

 the lines of the reservation. It is thirty miles long and 

 from eight to sixteen miles wide, and is a most beau- 

 tiful sheet of water. It is so clear that the great 

 speckled beauties that live in its depths may be seen 

 scores of feet below the surface. Surrounded by great 

 forests and rugged mountain chains, dotted with its 

 many emerald islands, it is indeed a panorama of beauty 

 near which one might well wish to pass his life, close to 

 nature and its ever present scenes of grandeur. 



Other lakes, smaller, but none the less beautiful, 

 are numerous. Lake McDonald, at the foot of a peak 

 of the same name, with an elevation of 10,400 feet, is 

 perhaps unexcelled for beauty and grandeur anywhere 

 in the West. St. Mary's, lying near the divide between 

 the Mission and Jocko Rivers, is scarcely less beautiful. 

 There are others high among the mountains whose 

 waters are ice cold the year round. In some of these, 

 even at great elevations, brook trout are found in great 

 abundance. There are probably at least 100 lakes on 

 the reservation. 



In the spring and early summer thousands of bright 

 colored flowers literally cover the valleys and foothills. 

 Here the wild syringa grows in great profusion, and 

 its odors perfume the very atmosphere. The wild rose 

 and dog tooth violets add their beauty and fragrance 

 to Nature's charms. 



To the miner and prospector these mountain ranges 

 offer many golden opportunities. Prospecting has been 

 prohibited on the reservation by the Government and 

 the Indians have with jealous care helped to enforce the 

 order, well knowing that if the hidden treasures of 

 those old mountains were found by the white man it 

 would not be long until he would have possession of 

 their country. There is good reason to believe that 

 there are valuable mines on the reservation. Many 

 specimens of high grade ore have been found there, and 

 with the opening, when prospectors will be allowed to 

 search for the ledges, it is believed that mines of great 

 value will be located. 



The Pend d'Oreille River drains Flathead lake. 

 Not far from where the lake empties into the river a suc- 

 cession of rapids and falls begin which extends for 

 nearly four miles, furnishing one of the greatest oppor- 

 tunities for developing an immense water power to be 



