GROWING SUGAR BEETS IN THE BILLINGS REGION. 3 
tracts containing 40 to 80 acres, but at present many of the units have 
been combined so as to form larger farm areas. The soils of this 
area contain a rather high percentage of clay and are inclined to be 
heavy and somewhat difficult to till. 
For several years the lower portion of the project has suffered 
rather badly from the effects of seepage water and a consequent accu- 
mulation of alkali salts on the surface of the soil. An extensive 
drainage system is being installed, which will probably do a great 
deal toward relieving this condition. 
The growing of sugar beets forms the basis for the agriculture of 
this region. Other important crops are alfalfa, wheat, oats, and 
barley. 
_ AREA FROM BILLINGS WESTWARD. 
The area in the Yellowstone Valley west of Billings comprises a 
strip of land extending from about 1 mile east of Billings to 1 mile 
west of Park City, 
a distance of nearly | 
25 miles. At Billings 
this area is about 4 
miles wide, and it 
gradually widens to- 
ward the west until 
at a distance of about 
8 miles west of Bill- 
mes a IMmaxlm um 
width of 7 miles is 
reached. It then Fic. 1.—Outline map of the State of Montana, showing 
narrows abruptly to (in black) the approximate location of the sugar-beet 
about 3 mil , whi region studied. The white dot in the black area indi- 
oe nich eates the location of the sugar-beet factory at Billings. 
width it approxi- 
mately maintains to Park City. The area comprises 68,416 acres, 
or about 107 square miles. The soils of this area for the most 
part are inclined to be a little heavy, although they seem well 
adapted to the growth of sugar beets and other crops that are found 
in this region. 
The considerable .area of stock range adjoining the area has been 
an important factor in promoting the agriculture of this valley. On 
the whole, a well-balanced system of farming has developed, using 
beets as a cash crop and building around the beet crop a rotation of 
small grain and alfalfa. 
This area as well as the Huntley project is irrigated by waters 
diverted from the Yellowstone Valley, the supply of which is more 
than ample for all purposes. 
Clarks Fork Valley—The Clarks Fork Valley occupies a strip of 
country along the Clarks Fork River about 50 miles long and varying 
