temperature than any other part of the state, are well watered by creeks and springs, and are capable of producing all the crops of hay, grain and fruits adapted to the latitude and altitude. Almost the entire farming lands require irrigation, but some bottom lands along the Yellowstone have been cultivated without, but without irrigation farming is very successfully carried on, and with artificial watering thousands of acres now unprofitable could be made productive and splendid markets found within easy reach. Irrigation is as yet in its infancy, but where tried splendid results have been obtained. The Yellowstone furnishes abundant water for that purpose, and by the diversion

of its waters large areas of land in the valley can be brought under contemplation. Oats have yielded as high as fifty bushels to the acre, while wheat, corn and barley are equal in yield to the best anywhere, and the lack of shipping facilities is the only reason why they are not more extensively raised. As an agricultural district, the lower Yellowstone valley is largely undeveloped. Enough settlers have been engaged for the past ten years in crop-raising for profit to demonstrate that it is no longer a theory, but a well established fact that the valley returns a far more bountiful yield, in proportion to the cost of production, than any of the so-called agricultural belt states. All the farming lands in the county have large and excellent stock ranges adjacent, and combined stock-raising and farming is destined to be the basis of the

future prosperity of the county. The Northern Pacific railroad has sixtythree miles of road in the county. The Great Northern also skirts along the northern boundary of the county for a long distance. Improved lands with water rights are held at $20 to $30 per acre. Eleven school districts are established in the county, and all of the schools are in a prosperous condition, with every modern equipment requisite to the best methods of instruction. The affairs of the county are wisely and economically managed, and county warrants in all funds are at par.

Nestling in a natural amphitheatre, surrounded on almost every side by picturesquely rugged hills, through which the broad, majestic Yellowstone river sweeps its way, the charming little city of Glendive appears to the wearied traveler from east or west like a veritable oasis. In its miniature valley location, the famous river skirts the western limits of the town, and presents a feature of interesting change with the seasons of the year. From the banks

of the stream, and extending almost to the boundaries of the abruptly towering bluffs, the broad streets and avenues of the town are laid out to the compass' cardinal points. Parallelling the main street, or more correctly, Merrill avenue, the Northern Pacific railroad lines are laid, and east and west the prospect is beautified by well-kept homes dotting here and there in the immediate distance, field upon field of emerald green. It is a delightful place to spend the summer months, and in the region around, game of many kinds abound. The habiliments of the town are numerous, and the public edifices would do credit to any place quadruple its size. Glendive has had a sure and stable growth, untarnished by the deceptive influences of boom methods, and its first settlers who came early in 1880, as also those that followed, were nothing if not practical. Glendive continued to grow, and handsome houses speedily took the place of frontier tents and log shacks, until today there is no more substantially built and neatly kept town of its size anywhere.

Along the entire length of Merrill avenue, attractive brick stores and spacious frame business houses rear their heads in undeniable testimony to the city's commercial prosperity, while the aesthetic taste and culture of the people find expression in the artistic arrangement of their homes in well-kept lawns and trees and flowers. This pearl of the Yellowstone is not only attractive to the eye, but its location in the midst of a vast surrounding stock country, extending scores of miles in every direction, makes it a place of great commercial importance. The importance of the place has been enhanced by the location of the large machine shops, division headquarters and round-house of the Northern Pacific railway, all of which give employment to many of its citizens. Its educational and religious facilities are excellent, splendid schools and churches being appreciated to the utmost, testifying also to the morality anl high standard of the population. Social, literary and fraternal societies are in a flourishing condition, while the public conveniences of the town are unexcelled. Glendive is essentially a residence city. There are no manufactories at present established within its limits, but the interests of the people extend throughout the county, in sheep, cattle and land investment, and as Glendive is the distributing point for the entire region, it is natural that it should be the permanent residence seat of the county.

Jefferson County.

Mining and Agriculture-Much Undeveloped Mineral Area That Will Eventually Make Jefferson One of the Richest of Counties.

Jefferson county has an area of 1,600 square miles, and the greater part of this is mineral land. The realty assessment of the county is $1,883,773, personal property $950,487, railways $837,076, making a total of $3,671,336. The population of the county is 5,330.

A very considerable portion of the county is mountainous, but it has a number of fine agricultural valleys which are very productive, and located as they are adjacent to the mining districts, the farmers find a ready cash market. The county also contains a considerable area of good grazing lands. The principal valleys are the Boulder, Jefferson and the Prickly Pear. Their altitude is generally from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. All agricultural lands require irrigation, and the available waters are generally appropriated. The soil is a black sandy loam, ranging from a few inches to four feet in depth. Wheat, oats, barley, potatoes and all root crops, grasses and vegetables are grown abundantly, and small fruits are grown in all the valleys. Timber for fuel and fencing is usually obtained at four to ten miles from the farms. In some parts there are excellent stock ranges convenient to the farms, but as much of the natural shelter is fenced in, the stock is limited to the number that can be sheltered and fed on the farms when the severest weather makes it necessary. Garden farming near the mining camps is a highly profitable industry. Some hay and grain is shipped to Helena. The area of cultivated lands could be increased with a storage system for water. Fairly improved farms with water rights can be bought in the different valleys at $12 to $25 per acre. The principal industry of the county, however, is mining for the gold and silver of which this county is a great producer. This is one of the very best counties to prospect in, from the fact that the veins of mineral are easily discovered, and when developed are great producers. In this county, as in all mining districts, the poverty of the prospectors has delayed the development of the mines, but in the last two or three years the attention of capitalists has been successfully directed to the rich veins of ore that await the investment of capital, and the application of labor to return rich rewards, and as a consequence many paying properties are now working. During the last year prospects around Basin have been developed into mines, and the field has hardly been touched. There are few places where there is such an inviting field for the investment of capital in the mining industry, as in the district