AGRICULTURE. In that part of the State lying west of the main range of the Rocky- Mountains, the rainfall is generally sufficient for agricul tural purposes. East of this range, however, the rainfall is, as a rule, inadequate, and purely agri cultural pursuits can be carried on with profit only in those sections where irrigation is possible. The numerous streams supply an abundance of water which may be utilized for irrigation, and it is estimated that it will be possible to reclaim one-fifth of the total area of the State. Already considerable land has been brought under irriga tion by the construction of numerous small tem porary ditches; and large canals of a more per manent nature, and affecting more extensive areas, are being constructed. Of the 1,697,424 acres of improved land in 1900, exclusive of In dian reservations, 951.154 acres were irrigated, the latter area representing an increase during the last census decade of 171 per cent. The irri gated region is mainly in the southwest quarter of the State, the supply being obtained from the tributary headwaters of the Missouri and from the Yellowstone River. Farther east the depth of the channels, or the unfavorable conformation of the surface, as in the Bad Lands, greatly limits the irrigable area. The average cost per acre for the construction of ditches was the remarkably low figure of $4.92, which is due to the fact that
the majority of the ditches are of private owner ship, and without expensive clams and headgates. Large grazing areas are included in the farms of the State, and the average size of farm,' is therefore exceptionally large-885.9 acres for the entire State—but varying from 174 acres in Car bon County to 3093 in Yellowstone County.
The great development of the mining industry has created an excellent home market. and tbis has afforded the principal impetus to the growth of mixed agriculture, and has determined in part the region of its development. Hay is the principal crop. its acreage being more than twice that of all other crops. Native grasses consti tute the greater part of the acreage, but alfalfa, clover, and other varieties arc also grown. oats, wheat, and barley yield abundant crops. Corn is but little grown, owing to the short sum mer season and cool nights. Potatoes are a favor ite crop, and other vegetables are successfully raised. The apple and other temperate zone fruits flourish and are largely cultivated. On the whole a greater variety of products can be raised than can be on the plains to the east.