A social and economic survey of Sanders county farms
by Maurice J McKay
A THESIS Submitted to the Graduate Committee in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Degree of Master of Science in Agricultural Economics
Montana State University
© Copyright by Maurice J McKay (1940)
Abstract:
Sanders County is an area of variable climatic and topographic features, The narrow, wooded Clarks
Fork Valley and the Cabinet Range form the western part of the county. The eastern port opens, the
steep mountains recede, end untimbered hills rise from the valley floor. The county is divided into two
natural regions with unlike features.
The western District is a cut-over region in which logging has been, until recently, the chief source of
livelihood. This region has a precipitation ranging from 20 to 55 inches, the major proportion of which
falls during the winter months. The frost-free season is short. Farms are poorly developed; the timber
resources have nearly disappeared; the majority of farms will not sustain the families living on them;
and the relief load is heavy. The data show a positive correlation between the number of acres cleared
on the farms and the gross income from them. Public assistance is the main source of income for 44.4
per cent of the farm families. Over one-half of the families have a gross cash income of $400 or less.
Nearly three-fourths of the fame have less than 51 acres of cleared land; 79.6 per cent produce less than
50 tons of hay, and over two-thirds of theta have leas than five milk cows, calves, or other cattle. A
high proportion of farm families do not have the minimum equipment needed to clear and work the
land. Most of the farm families participate in no social or economic organisations. The majority of farm
families are without hope, demoralised, end bitter. A rural slum is rapidly developing in the region.
The Eastern District of Senders County is a region of sparse vegetation. The precipitation varies from
nine to 15 inches; the major part of which falls between April 1 to September 1. The frost-free season,
115 days, is nearly a month longer than in the western part of the county. About two-thirds of the fora
income comes from livestock and dairy products. The majority of the farms are Irrigated and
diversified farming is practiced.
The relief load in this area is light (5.8 per cent of the farm families). The average gross cash income
per fora family is #1425, however 19.5 per cent of these families have incomes of #400 or under. Farm
problems in this region consist mainly of crickets, dry weather, insufficient irrigation water, and poor
markets. There is more widespread and active participation of farm people in organisations and social
activity here than in the western District.
A program to relieve the. distressed economic and social conditions in Sanders County should includes
an increase of cleared land; a soil analysis; the zoning and return of submarginal and to forests;
long-term loans accessible to farmers for equipment and stock; the development of marketing agencies;
the development of a potential cash crop; the development of supplementary sources of income; and
agricultural education in the high schools. A SOCIAL AED BCOHOMIC SCHVBT OF
SAHDEHS COCHTT FAHMS
W
MADRICB J. MotAT
A THESIS
Submitted to the Graduate Cosmlttee
la partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the Degree of Master of Science
in Agricultural Foonomlcs at
Fontana state College
OX1Ltajor
ork
Soeesaan, Montana
June, 1940
/ / ? 7f
—3—
ZABLE OF GOBTBBTS
Page
List of Illustrations. . a * * . * * . * * * * . * . . . , .
6
ABSTRACT .
6
PART I.
rl
.
.
.
................... ................
7
ITfTROKJCTIOH. . ................... ..
ObJootivea of Tills Sfaxdy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
'othod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
a
DESCRIPTIO* OF TBH COUIfTT. ................... ..
9
ostorn Diatriot of lenders County . . . . . . . . .
12
PART II.
%
O
Iiatural Features . . .
<u
. . . . .
..
..
Vegetation and Wild Life . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Climate. . • • • • • « • • • • • • • • • • • •
IS
aatorn Diatrict of sandera County
Climate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART III.
S 9~ ’
40
PART IV.
12
17
18
HISTORY AHD D=^iLOraSHT OF SAHDERS COUHTT . . . .
18
oevolQiXiotxt of Fanain;; in 5a?.jdero County . . . . . .
20
A H AHALTSIS OF THE HISfHBl DISTRICT OF
SANDERS COUHTi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
Eoonomio Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
Sise of Faro
22
Amount of Cleared Land •
22
Amount of Land C l eoraMe
24
Fsras .
24
Hay. •
26
Grains
26
64105
-S-
Pag*
Potatoee wad OtIwr Vegotablee • • • • • • • • • •
Fnrite • ............... ..
.
.
.
.
2$
28
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
Inoorae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33
ULveatook.
oat a m Dlatrlot. . . . . . .
41
Soolel Mobility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41
Population Conpoaitlon . . . . . . . . . . . . .
43
ownership end Traure . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
43
CQEEHinlty Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . .
51
soolal Conditions In the
ntorbalnaont.
PART V.
Reasons for Leaving Their Poruer Hooee and
Corning to Ssndrae County . . . .
. . . . . .
55
Horns. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
53
Fwally Situation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55
AU ANALYSIS OF THE ElSTiSN DISTRICT OF SANDERS
C O U N T Y . ....................... ......................
S6
. . . . . .
oonoolo /uariyaio.
.
Qg
Irrigated and Dry Lend Faros . . . . . . . . . .
55
Crops. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
67
Livestock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GO
Income . .
gg
. . . . .
. . . .
. . . .
..
social Condltlono in tho Eaotera i-lotrlot. . . . . . .
Social !Mobility. . . .
(34
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
69
Age and Sex Composition. . . . . . . . . . . . .
59
Ownrashlp end Tenure . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
59
Page
P M f Tl.
Organisations and liana Conditions.
69
Heoreatlon and Social Organisation
70
A 3UGSESTSD PROGRAM TO RFLIETR SOCIAL AJHD
SCOiKHIC COHDIfIOHS IH SANDERS COOHTT............
Land Clearing. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Tl
74
Iieed For Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
77
Need For Cash. .
.
77
...
73
Dlfferemeee In Distribution of lnoone
fly Areas . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
79
Need of Social Organisation. . . . . . . . . . .
79
Heed of Adequate Educational Faoillties• . . . .
80
Need of Cooperative Action . . . .
80
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Need of supplementary Inoone . . . . . . .
PART VII.
.
.
.
. . . . . . .
APPENDIX....................................
82
AIHLIOGitAPHT....................... .................... ..
85
ACgHUWLbDabRNTS
86
-G-
Llst of Illustrations
Paso
Pi;3Uro I #— Sanders County. . . . . .
. . . . . . .
..
10
Fifjure 2 ^ — A.vertti ;e distribution of precipitation by
norths for Heron and Lone Pine. . . . . . . . .
14
Figure 3.— Precipitation by years, 1912 to 1939, at
Ilxonpean Falls. . .
.
..
...
. . . .
15
Figure 4.-— Division of total gross lnoocie of faro
fsallies in the e e t e m District of
Sunders County. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
Fixture b.— Division of f aro faailloo bv major source of
income, e e t e m District of Sanders County. • •
37
Figure 6 .— Division of faro income by source in the
Wcstera District of Sanders County. . . . . . .
39
Figure 7
Supplementary income by source, western
District, Sanders County. • • • • • • • * • • •
42
Figure 8 .— Location of faro families entering Sanders
County after 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44
Figure 9 .— Population chart for the lestern District
of Sanders County . . . . . . . . . .
49
.
Figure 10.— Areas from which Sanders County faro
families have migrated
52
Figure U .— Division of faro income by source in the
astern District of Sanders County . . . . . .
65
Figure 12.— Division of total gross income of faro
families in the astern District of
Sanders County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
Plate I .— Wight miles east of Thompson Falls in the
Clarks Foric Valley .....................
U
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A SOCIAL AHD CCOimIC S U R V # OF SMlDRRa COUIiTY RARWS
ABSTRACT
Sanders County is an area of variable oil utic and topographic fea­
tures. The narrow, wooded Clarka Fork Valley and the Cabinet Range f o m
the western part of the county. The eastern part opens, the steep mountains
recede, and untimbered hills rise froo the volley floor. The county is
divided into two natural regions with unlike features.
The astern District is a cut-over region in which logging M s been,
until recently, the M i e f source of livelihood. This region has a precipi­
tation ranging iron 20 to 55 inches, the major proportion of which alls
during the winter months. The frost-free season is short, Faroe are poorly
developed; the timber resources have nearly disappeared; the majority of
forms will not sustain the families living on them; and the relief load is
heavy. The data show a positive correlation betsroan the number of acres
cleared on the farms and the gross Inoo e from them* public assistance is
tiie sain source of income for M .4 per cent of the fera families. Over onehalf of the families have a gross cash l m o m e of #400 or less. Nearly
three-fourths of the farms have less than 51 acres of cleared land; 79.6
per cent produce less than 50 tons of hay, and over two-thirds of them have
less than five milk cows, calves, or other cattle. A high proportion of
fare, families do not have the minimum equipment needed to clear and work
the land. ? oat of the farm families participate in no social or econo Io
organisations. % e majority of farm families are without hope, demoralised,
and bitter. A rural slum is rapidly developing in the region.
The astern District of Senders County is a region of sparse vegeta­
tion. The precipitation varies from nine to 15 inches; the major part of
which falls between April I to September I. The frost-free season, 115 days,
is nearly a month longer than in the western part of the county. About twothirds of the farm income comes frors livestock and dairy products. The
majority of the faros are Irrigated and diversified farming is practiced.
The relief load in this area is light (6 .8 per cent of the farm families).
The average gross cash income per farm family is #1425, however 19.5 per
cent of these families M v e lnoaies of #400 or under. Fara problems in
tills region consist mainly of crickets, dry weather, insufficient irriga­
tion water, and poor markets. T M r e is more widespread and active partici­
pation of farm people in organisations and social activity here than in
the os tern District.
A program to relieve the distressed economic and social conditions
in Sanders scanty should includei an increase of cleared I a M ; a soil
analysis; the soning and return of submarginal land to forests; long-term '
loans accessible to formers for equipment and stock; the development of
marketing agencies; the development of a potential cash crop; the develop—
nont of sup lementary sources of income; and agricultural education in the
high schools.
P A R T I.
INTRODUCTION
The traveler passing through the Clarke Fork Valloy In
Sondera County, moatana, is struck by the varied beauty of the
scenery.
The Claries Fork River, with its numerous tributory stream;,
appeals strongly to the speurtsaan.
vhether it is spring, when the
clear streams run full, or autumn with its brilliant colors, the
beauty of the volley brings praise from, all who visit the region*
A case worker is oblivious to these natural beauties.
Hie
Kind is occupied by the vision of impoverished families, ill-clad
children, and mothers who complain their relief allotment is in­
sufficient for their needs, that a child needs glasses, or perhaps
that an ill member of the family needs medical attention.
Throughout this project, the Impressions of the traveler and
the visions of the ease worker are in sharp contrast.
The traveler's
impressions represented the prevailing motives that stimulate settle­
ment in the county.
The social and econonio conditions are represented
by the case worker's vision.
The first situation explains why people
are attracted to Sanders County.
The second situation is representative
of the social and economic conditions that prevail in the western part
of the county.
Objectives of This Stmjy
This project was set up to determine the social end economic
conditions In Sanders County a an analysis of the factors contributing
-G-
to these eondltlonsj and the creation of suggestions for a p r a g m a to
relieve the economic and social maladjustment in the county#
Method
The data for this project have been obtained from schedules
obtained during interviews with farm families.
\J
A sample of
approximately 20 per oent of Sanders County fanas, representing 106
faro families, was used as the basis for this project#
The interviewer did not visit Indian families during the
study, though there are Indian f arms o n the Flathead Reservation.
Ahlte residents told the Interviewer that Indians refused to con­
verse with anyone not associated with the Indian Agency.
Zhe Indians
present p r o b l e m that are not much different from the problems of the
white families studied In this project.
Very fifth faro was selected as the interviewer proceeded
on hie route from the western to the eastern end of the county, then
north to Lake County.
Zhe selection of faros In this sequence was
made possible by the interviewer* s knowledge of the county and with
the cooperation of farmers previously interviewed.
Ihe sample Is
random because the interviewer's choice did not ester in the selection
of ary faro.
3vezy faro was chosen by the fact that it was the fifth
from the faro last visited us the interviewer proceeded on his route.
Zf
I/ Refer to appendix, page 82* schedule used for this project.
Iy In addition to the information obtained from the schedules
and from conversation with trie persons Interviewed, the author Iuis
considerable first-hand Information of Sanders County. Zhe author
lived In zanders County until 1938, and hie parents and grandparents
wore among the early settlers in the county.
la the event several funis were situated along a read where the
last fana wus not the fifth f ana, the interviewer noted the msnber of
the last f&ra, retraced his route to the next road, and continued
counting until the fifth farm was reached e
In the event a farm family
was not at home or refused to give the necessary information, the
interviewer continued on to the sixth farm*
The interviewer spent approximately two hours at each house­
hold, obtaining an average of five schedules each day.
The long
interview with each family gave an Intimate stroa i-pioture of the
family situation, and of their attitudes and thoughts; it aided in
getting better information from the families interviewed.
During the
interview or !mediately following, the interviewer took notes
cm
the
interview and the situation to supplement the recorded data in the
schedule*
PAfif II.
DGSCRIPTIOH OF TSR COOHTf
Sanders County is located In northwestern Montana, on the
western slope of the Rooky Mountain range*
It is bordered o n the
west by Idaho and is one tier of counties south of the Canadian
boundary (see figure I).
Sanders County is divided into tan natural climatic and
geographic regions.
That part west of the Plains valley, which will
be called the western District; and the
astern District, consisting
of the Flathead Indian Reservation and the eastern end of the Clarks
Fork Valley (see figure I)*
I
'4s*,Z-•'',dXir-yS- 1
OISTHICT BOUNOMltS
PAVED KOAOS
IMPKOVED KOAOS
GRADED ROADS
------- RAILROADS
#
= =
COUNTY SEAT
MAIN STREAMS
STREAMS
PARTIALLY IRRIGATED AREA
FLATHEAD IRRIGATION PROJECT
r m
NATIONAL BISON RANGE
[------ ) FORMER FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION
r
m
"I MOUNTAINOUS AREA
FARMING AREA
M
?
T
Figure I .— Sanders County
16 N
I
/ . . . T T ..
— 11—
Plate I.— Eight miles east of Thompson Falls in the Clarks Fork Valley.
Note the narrowness of the valley and the rugged
mountains typical of this area.
12-
;@8tern Dlatrlot of paadora ,oia'it;.
;Iatural Featuree .— The western Dietrlot ooBprlees the la r g e r
portion of
the
county.
The Clarks Fork Valley, through which flows the
river of the oesoe nano, extends the
full l m g t h
and is the nain failing area of tills section.
of the western District
Hie Dlaeoula Elver,
flowing frota the southeast^ and the Flathead River, flowing from the
northeast out of Flathead Lake, conjoin at Paradise to form the
Clarke Fork of the Colunhia River, the largest drainage stream of
western
ontana.
The valley varies from a quarter of a mile to nearly
six miles in width.
EUmerous tributary streams also flow into the
Clarks Fork River.
Towns In the I eatora District are located along the Northern
Paolflo
tailroad at intervals of 10 te 15 miles.
The largest town
in this region is Thompson Falls, the county seat, with a population
of nearly 500 residents.
Other towns are Heron, 60 miles west of
Thoeipson Falls, near the west end of the county; iioxon. Trout Creek,
and Elite Pine, which are also trade centers, are all west of Thompson
Falls.
The main highway, 0* 5. Ho. 3, extends the entire length of
the county.
Side roods, some Forest Service and some county roads branch
from the main highway.
Vegetation and Wild Life.— Paras in the
located in the valley bottoms.
B
m
estorn District are
Mountains rise abruptly on either side.
slopes are adapted to sheep grating in some places while in other
place* they are raioh too rugged for any farm use whatever.
The dense forests have largely disappeared,
principally buokbrush, covers the landscape.
trader brush,
On the mountain sides
are white pine, cedar, and various pulp woods.
Huokleberry ouehes
appear widely over the mountain sides west of Thompson Falls, though
only a part of than bear fruit.
Bore than a hundred thousand gallons
of huckleberries are taken out of Sanders County in good years,
since
1985, this has been a n important source of revenue besides furnishing
fruit for home use.
Wild life is especially evident in Jeatem Sanders County,
though it has been rapidly depleted in recent years.
Climate.— The climate in the Vtestera District resembles that
of the Pacific Coast.
area in kootona.
zj
Rainfall in this region is the highest of any
The heaviest precipitation is during the months
of November, December, January, February, and March, during which
time the precipitation falls largely in the form of a m w (refer to
figure 2).
This, in turn, causes a heavy spring run-off.
The
26.47 inches,
the average.
estera District shows an average aranial precipitation of
but rainfall since 1955 has been considerably below
Average precipitation at Thompson Falls is more than 11
inches below that at Heron (refer to figure
8)s
the amount of
Holts, L. P. "Crop t<egiona in Montana as Related to
Hnvironcental Factors1', Iaontana Agricultural SapMrlnent Station
iul. 340, 1937, p. 11.
V
Average for the weather stations at Thompson Falls, Trout
Creek a m Heron. Source* Weather Bureau Records for the period of
years from establishment of the station through 1930.
-14-
JFMAMJ JASOND
HERON
J FMAMJ J ASOND
LONEPINE
Figure 2 .— Average distribution of precipitation by months for
Heron and Lone Pine.
z 20
I
I1
\
—15—
AVERAGE I
ANNUAL 1
PRECIPITATION
YEARS
Figure 3.— Precipitation by years, 1912 to 1939, at Thompson Falls.
-IG-
prooipltatloa increases frota the east to the west ond of this area.
The distribution of rainfall far Herem (refer to figure 2)
s'
t ow s
the growing season to be the m n t h e of lowest average rainfall.
For this reason, very little garden produce can be raised without
Irrigation.
-Ven the field crops suffer during the drier years.
The altitude of western Sanders County is 2,439 feet at
Thompson Falls.
The average frost-free season varies iron 127
days at Thompson Falls to 87 days at Heron.
frozen
every
S/
potato vines, beans, and corn can be observed during
onth of the suaner froea T h o n ^ o n Falls west to the state line.
Frost dazaage varies considerably within short distances.
Gardens are
ruined o n one farm by frost, while those o n an adjoining farm sustain
no damage.
The short growing season in the western portion of the county
is one of the greatest hazards to farming in the area.
In rooant years
there has apparently been a IengthMiing of the frost-free season.
6/
SurEiarlsing the description of the Western District, it may be
said that the farming area consists of the valley floor.
The mountains
have been largely cleared by fire end logging and second growth is now
predominant.
Wild life, once abundant, is now becoming scarce,
tiploy aazzt in logging operations is at a minimum.
The climate in the region is typical of the Pacific slope with
Bureau.
years.
5/ Climatic Summary of the United States, U.S.D.A., eatber
Average for Thompson Foils is for 29 years, for Heron 28
G/' At Heron, the average frost-free period for the
1931 through 1939, is 17 days longer than the mean average.
Falls is 6 days longer o n the same basis.
8
years,
Thompson
a relatively high rainfall, bat distributed unfavorably to the proving
of crops.
The altitude, between two and three thousand feet, decreases
fran the east to the west end of the county, while the length of the
Growin- season becomes loss toward the western end.
The freoi enoo of
frost donege presents a hazard to the growing of crops, especially in
the extreme western port.
astern District of banders County
The vOstern District of Sanders County consists of the
Flathead Indian Reservation and that part of the ClarInFork Valley,
including the Plains trade area, east to the Indian RMiervation (refer
to figure I).
Towns in the Eastern portion of the county ore located in
the valleys.
Ihe main towns are Hot Springs and Lons Pine in the
Little Bitterroot Valley.
Plains, Paradise, and Dticoaa are important
trade centers in the Clarke Pork and Flathead valleys.
Each of these
towns Ims leas than 600 residents.
The Raatern District is an area with broken hills covered with
sagebrush and grass.
The vegetation, in contrast to the heavy under­
brush and second growth of the western District, is ohuruotorletio of
a semi— arid climate*
Nearly all the hills are adapted to light grazing
and the valleys are cultivated extensively.
Irrigation from the Flathead
Project Bakes the f o m s in the vicinity of Lone Pine and Hot Springs the
most productive in the county.
This part of the county can nake use
of both the hills and valleys for agricultural pursuits.
Ulima±a.— Tbe !a s t e r n D i s t r i c t h as le s s v a r i a t i o n o f c l i m a t e t h a n
the
ostern District#
The average annual precipitation at Lone Pine
is 10.36 Inches; at Plains 14.03 inches.
Over one-half of the precipita­
tion falls between April I and Septenber I (see figure 2).
Lone Pine
has an average annual f root-free season of 116 days; Plains has 3 days
leas#
In 1939, there was a decline from n o m a l precipitation of
5.69 inches at Lone Pine#
Field crops fail to grow well in this region without irrigation,
and garden produce cannot grow at all without its aid.
Lone Pine has an elevation of 2875 feet#
C a m s Prsdrle is
several hundred feet higher than the Clarks Fork Valley.
Lone pine,
in the eastern rad of the county, is 715 foot higher than Braon in
the western part, and has an average frost-free season o f 29 days
greater than Heron.
PASf III#
HISTORY AHD DKVaLOfKKBT OF SAHDKRS COUIJTY
Prior to the survey and construction of the D o r t b e m Pacific
Railroad through Sandras County, there were only trappers and prospec­
tors in the area#
A poty express operated over the Kratraai trail on
the north side of the Clarks Forte River.
at certain bases on this trail#
Supplies could be obtained
Prior to the construction of the
railroad, Sanders County did not have permanent settlers.
The building of the Northern Pacific Railroad through the
county in 1893, stimulated the first influx of settlors.
The
>19-
ooitotruction and n a l a t e m n o e of the railroad through the rough Clarks
Fork Valley was a costly piece of work.
Large numbers of men were
m p l o y e d by the Northern Paoifiot clearing right of wey, grading, end
doing construction work,
fhe demand for ties attracted nen with terns
to hew and liaol then t o the railroad.
Thus, Sanders County attracted
its first families.
During the construction of the railroad, little boon towns
sprang up along the tracks a few miles apart.
They appeared very
ouch alike— a street parallel to the railroad, with the charaoterlatie
false-front frane buildings.
The town was usually composed of a general
store or two, a restaurant, a hotel, ataxy ee&eenn* and a few other
buildings.
I CGidenoes were noticeably absent, indicating a lack of
family life.
Saloons, combined with houses of prostitution, were the
oost active and numerous of business establishments.
As the railroad
construction passed on, the social and economic pattern was changed
by an increase of residences, churches, and schools.
Sotae people who helped to build the railroad were attracted
by the extensive forests convenient to the river*
Timber was out Into
logs and floated to the several large saw mills on the shore of
Pend Oreille Lake.
Small saw mills began to spring up at Intervals along the
railroad.
These mills employed a hundred men or less, in the milling
end logging operations, combined.
the period of development.
to the county.
Lumber found a ready market during
Income from logging stimulated settlement
-2 0 -
fhough some fralllee were oaaing Into the towns, there were
still Ofiogr sore m m than wanen,
single 2ien.
the majority of lumber-jacks wore
Though gfiohling, drinkiiv^ and oarouaing had not die-
eppeered with the ooeapletlon of tlie railroad, it wus less frequent.
lumber-jack usually went to town only on pay day.
The
FOr several lays
they took over the town, after which time they either returned to the
camp for another month, or passed on to sane other logging esnp.
It
was a period of exploitation of the natural resources of the county.
Development of Forming in Sanders County
In 1898, forest fires swept a great part of western
including western Sanders County.
Large tracts of timber were destroyed.
Following this fire, more persons began farming*
etoaded or bought land.
cmtam,
Many loggers Ikjoo-
Most families on faros seeded only those
crops needed for their own livestock and household use.
Faoh person
coulu out enough posts and poles from adjoining lands to provide him­
self a living.
The economy w s
one of farming supplemented by logging.
As timber beotsae more scarce, large oaiponies bought up the
best stands.
It boeune Impossible for the settlers to log timber with- •
out first bugfing it.
People believed the county was adapted to agri­
culture and settlement continued in spite of the disap pearance of
timber.
In the urea east of Thompson Fails, farming developed quite
early.
By 1900, forms in the Plains vicinity provided a good living.
-21«»
The FlatlMad Indian Heeorvntlon was opened to homeetending
In 1909•
This area, located In the eastern and northeastern part of
the county was quite well adapted to agriculture, and farms sprang up
rapidly.
F a m i n g generally provided a living, though farmers were able
to supplement their income, if necessary, by obtaining employment at
logging camps.
Farming west of Thompeon Falls, in contrast to the rapid
expansion In the east and northeastern parts of the county, developed
9y 1929, it had progressed very little.
slowly,
Following the World
War and prior to 1950, a considerable aramc*-. of rood building ami
bridge construction was carried on In the county.
The forest service
hired nxuy m en for fighting forest fires, building forest trails,
and planting trees,
Faraers were quite successful in finding outside
employment.
Soon after 1950, however, outside employment opportunities
became scarce.
poverty.
The depression in the Thirties added to the rural
Distress in the cities following 1929 brought more people to
unders County to live with relatives and friends.
The problem of
poverty became more severe, and extensive government aid was necessary.
Fast of Plains, where farming was more productive, the hardships were
less severe.
The continuous droughts in parts of the Great Plains in t ie
years 1954-1937 caused some fanners to be driven from the dry land
areas to Sanders County, where rainfall in previous years had been
abundant.
But in 1956 and 1939, Sanders County also experienced dry
■22-
aunners, Wiloh added to the problem* of rural relief.
PAHT IV.
AB MiALTSIS OF THE WBSTKfUI Mt STRICT OF SMiDSRS OOUBTT
'oona do /jialysle
The great majority of farms In the western District were taken
up under the homestead laws.
One hundred and sixty acres constituted the
typical also of farm In this area as recently as 1950.
T W hoaesteed
pattern of farms was broken up by the extensive sale and purchase of
land.
Many farmers sold a part or all of their fares Wille others
purchased adjoining lands to make their units larger.
Slse of Farm.— The typical stamp ranch l / ia the
is small.
ostern Olstriot
Table I Indicates the distribution of farm families in the
western District by the number of acres per farm.
Nearly two-thirds
(64.8 per cent) of the forma are 160 acres or less.
Over three-
fourths (81.4 per cent) of the forms in this area are 320 acres or
loss.
The farms are really much smaller than the table indicates,
since raasy of the stump ranchos have a heavy cover of second growth
timber or brush, both of Wiioh crowd out the forage.
Only 5 .G per
cent of the f a m s have loss than 40 acres.
U-Ount of Cleared hand.— Kcarly three-fourths (73.9 per cent)
of the farms have less than 51 acres of cleared land, and one-half
(40.9 per oeut) have loos than 26 acres.
of farms by the amount of land cleared.
Table II pives the distribution
Because of the low value of
tJ
A stamp ranch is defined as a farm that was cleared of
timber and stomps.
■23-
ZABLE I.— DISfBIBBTKai OF FAiQE Si SIZE
IB W'STWS DISTRICT
3lee or Fimas
ho.
of Faras
Per Coct
0-160
35
161 - 520
9
521 - 480
4
7.5^
431-640
5
5^,2
641-900
I
64^1
16.
801 - over
_2
s.%;
TOTALS
54
10 0 .0 2
TABLE II.— DISTRIBUTION OF FARES BI LAHD CLdARm IH
HBSTERfi SABDERS COBBTT
Acres of Cleared Land
0
Ho. of F a m e
Far Cent
5
9.5%
1 - 2 5
22
40.72
2 6 - 6 0
15
24.0^
51-75
7
15.0%
76-100
6
9.5%
101 - over
2
3.7,
54
100.Oi
TOTALS
-24-
unoloared land, the anount of cleared land Is basic to the f a m
ecxmony In this region.
/raount of Land d oaranle #— fho majority of f soil lea In this
area have enough acres In their farms; the crux of the problem Is
lnsufflelent oleared land (see table II).
Only two farms In the a m p l e
of this area have no brush or forest land that could be cleared and
put into crops (see table III).
Iiearly three-fourths (71.9 per oent)
of the farms have 50 or more acres that are at present In brush and
timber which may be cleared, while 95.9 per oent of the farms have
land which could be developed for crop production.
Consequently,
clearing constitutes a lajor barrier to increased farm production.
Several reasons were given I or failure to clear the lend.
Some formers say there Is not enough income from the fora to merit
clearing more land.
Others state that they have neither the tools nor
the capital to do any extensive clearing.
It is argued by tenants and
persons who are heavily in debt on their forms that clearing would only
add to their Insecurity of tenure by making the place aore desirable to
persons looking for farms.
It was the writer* s observation that no
extensive clearing was being done because the operators could see no
immediate hope for toe develop:: nt of stamp ranchos to the point where
they would be on a paying basis.
or s .— Only 5.5 per oent of the forms in the
estern District
fall within the definition of an irrigated farm (defined as a farm with
15 or more acres of irrigated land).
Table TV shows those farms with
less than 15 acres of irrigated land, distributed by the number of acres
TAilLE III*— HUMIlKk OF ACfiES UHCL AfiSD BUT CLI^AfiAflLS LAHD OH FARMS
IS WESTERS SAMDEfiS COCRTT
o. of Eluna___________________
6
11 .2%
2 5 - 4 9
7
12.9%
IS
24.1%
8
9.3*
I
1 - 2 6
S
3.7%
I
2
8
O
*k
Per cent
8
Aorea Clearuble
100 - 124
U
2 0 .8%
125 - 149
I
150 - over
9
TOTALS
1.9%
1 6 ^
54
ioo.o i
TABLE IVe-DIsrriItianoH OF FABMS HAVIRO LESS IHAB 15
ACHES OF IfiRIOATED LAHD
Acres Irrigated
0
1 - 2
Bo, of F a m e
For Cent
32
62.7%
7
13.9*
S -
4
4
7.3%
6 —
6
S
6.9%
7 - 8
I
1.9%
9-10
3
5.9*
11 - 12
O
0 .0 %
13 - OVOT
I
1.9%
TOTALS
SI*
* Hire® f a r m had more than 15 aoros o£ Irrigated land.
100 .0 %
-26-
irrlgated,
Over one-third (37.2 per cent) of the flortua beam son®
irrigated land.
Iheae ferae with soae Irrirated Innrf are Important
In providing a degree of eelf-sufflolenox’ In the region.
^
It will be
noted that only three out of the sample of 54 Xoras had 16 acres or
more of Irrigated land.
In the western region of Sanders County, the variety of crops
economically produced is !halted by the climate, soil, and markets.
For crops such as c o m and other non-froat-reslstant vegetables, the
frost-free season is too short and the nights are too cold,
,heat is
not adapted to the soils of this area, and those crops which will grow
cannot be easily marketed, as tliero is no sieeuble local market, and
Liarketln,! a-enolee for other tlmn dairy products have not been e stabliahed.
Bay.— !'Sy is the m i n crop produced.
It is grown on 45 of the
54 farms that appeared in the sample (note table V ) .
Over 70 per cent
of the ranches raised less than SI tone of hay in 1339, w h ile over
one-third o f the lorae produced less than 11 tons.
of the farms produced Tl or acre tone in 1939.
Only one-tenth
The most popular hays
in this area are red clover, alfalfa, and timothy.
Oats is sometimes
cut for hay, especially on the recently cleared land.
Bie average
yield of hay in 1939 was over one ton per acre on dry land, but the
yield would undoubtedly be higher for a year of rare normal rainfall.
Bie precipitation in 1939 was rare than five InchMt below the average
amount (see figure 5).
-rains
One-third of the faras in the region produced some grain.
-27-
IASLS V e-DisTItIBUTIOS OF FARMS 3Y TOIG
OF HAT RAISED
Tons of Hay Raised
0
So# of F a m e
Per CezA
1 -1 0
19
35#l£
11-20
10
18#%;
21-50
6
9 #2^
SI - 40
I
u rn
41-50
I
1 #**
I
I #9^
61-70
2
3#8$
Tl « OVGtr
6
U 2M
loo.oi
S
16 #6'j
S
I
9
TOTALS
54
-23-
nostly wheat*
However, no f a m e west of Trout Greek trade area
threshed Grain, although eooe oats was out for hey.
The average yield
for all grains threshed during 1989 was 80,2 oushels per acre.
Farmers
in this region are In need of & cash orop, and thus grain has been
tried year after year.
Table VI shows the distribution of farms by
the amount of grain raised,
(Iiote the heavy distribution of f a m e
producing less than 600 bushels,)
Potatoes and other Ve--^tablos,— Hearly half (46.3 per cent) of
the farms produced some potatoes.
potatoes for the commercial market.
Of these, 16 per cent produced
Practically all farmers In the
e s t e m District planted potatoes and other vegetables, but, because
of frosts or lack of irrigation, there was little or no orop produced
In nany instances.
Some vegetables and berries are raised In the region, but
successful
rowth is restricted to U n i t e d areas.
Some farms are
unable to grow ary vegetables, other f a r m produce only the frostresistant varieties, but some farms In the area will produce a great
variety of non-frost-resistant vegetables and fruits,
^ m l t e ^-Considerable fruits have been produced throughout this
area, hut the orchards are too snail to attract buyers associated with
largo marketing agencies.
Bils condition has discouraged the upkeep
of orchards, end the unpruned and unsprayed trees now produce a quality
of fruit that cannot compete even on the local market,
L Ivo^ uook»— The predominance of feed crops and the lack of
markets for such crops make livestock the basis of the eoonory on m e t
29-
XABLK VI.-DiartiIflOfIOH OF FAtSfS IH TffiB WKSf E B DlSXkIOT
S I AKOUBT OF GfiAIH RAISED
Oushela Grain
O
Ifoe of Ftunns
Per cent of f a r m
raising grain
56
66*855
1 - 9 9
8
5 .5%;
100-199
S
Be#
200 - 299
4
7.4%
500 - 399
4
7.4%
400-499
I
1*8%
600 - 599
I
1*8%
2
3.9%
54
100.0%
600 - 699
700 - 799
800 - 899
900 - 999
1000 - over
TOTALS
-30-
fams#
Is
to
Dairying ia the ohief llvostoo;:
r.mrket crea.i, and
to
sell
those
onterprlee
calves
and the
usual
not retained for
practice
herd
replacements.
Over four-fifth# (35.2 per cent) of the faros have some rail!?
cows, but two— thirds (6 6 ,6 per cent) of than have less than 5
cows (see table VII).
Only 16.6 per cent have nine or
while the largest herd numbers 13.
Ir
o r e nillc cows,
(See table VIII for number of
calves on fares In this area.)
The distribution of fares by the cun her of milk: cows corresponds
very closely with the d lfitribution of fares by the amount of hay
raised.
This would Indicate that hay is the limiting factor to the
number of llvestook and, likewise, the amount of bey is limited by
the number of acres of cleared land.
There are 83.3 per cent of the fares that have loss than three
cattle other than calves and milk cows.
other cattle.
Sixty-three per cent have no
Table IX gives the distribution of f a m e by beef cattle.
(Kkrfco the small per cent of fares In groupings of three to 16 beef
cattle.)
The distribution indicates those fares having more than two
head of beef cuttle are, am a rule, those etfcfa herds of 15 or more heed.
This indicates that calves not grown for milk cows are sold before
maturity, the usual procedure beInr not to feed them for mere than one
winter.
Only one fare had beef cattle in the area west of Trout Greek
in the sample group.
Cattle ranches are Etainly in the vicinities of
hlte fine and Thompson Falls.
■31—
TAaLE V l I •— DISTRIBUTIOB OF FAIiHS S f !OESEt OF MILK L AVS
Milk Cows
No O O W Q
EM* of F a m e
Per Cent
37.(#
U e H
6 - 6
6
11.20
7 - 8
S
5.60
9-10
4
7^4
11-12
4
7.40
13 - over
I
TOTALS
54
N
14 ,a>;
H
I
8
20
S -
4
8
JLiEi
100.01
TABLE VIII *— DISTRISSJTIOH OF FARES ET BOSS 3$ OF CALVTS
Ho. of Cttlvee
11
20 . H
25
42.60
itt
5
9.50
4
7.40
6
11.10
2
3.70
S
5.5;
54
100.00
I
1 - 2
Ga
Per Cent
CO
Ho calves
HO* of Operators
I
u>
7 - 8
9-10
11-12
13 - 14
15 - over
TOTALS
TABLE IX.— .DISTMBUTIOH OF FABlS ST HOEBER OF BEBF CATTLE
Ho. of Cattle
Ho other cattle
1 - 2
S -
4
5 - 6
Ho. of Operators
Per Cent
54
63.0#
U
20*4#
2
5.8#
I
1 8
I
1J3#
0
9.2#
64
100^
.#
7 - 8
9-10
11-12
15 - 14
15 - ever
TOTALS
-33-
Kearly cme-fourth (24*1 per cent) of the f a m e had no team*
re
the
alnder of the farms had only the nunbor of torses that could be
utilised for work or saddle animals on the farm*
A third of the f a m e had no hogs, while only 3*7 per cent
had ten or more.
consumption*
Hogs in this region are raised mainly for hooe
They are fed almost exclusively on separated milk and
food scraps from the household.
Ho sixeable flock of sheep appeared in the farms in the a m p l e *
The total number A r the region was SO head, most of which had strayed
from large bands ndiloh bad been shipped into the area for s u m e r
erasing in the !mountains*
About 9*2 per cent of the farms had no chickens*
The rasainin
90*8 per cent did have some but only 10*2 per oont of those had 100
or more.
Hoarly one-half of the farms sold sooe eggs*
Only 5*1 per cent of the farms had same turkeys.
Poultary for
commercial purposes has not developed in the area, mainly because
people who wanted to go into poultry business did not have a form
that would produce sufficient grains for feed*
The mild climate favors
poultry raising*
Incor-o .— The average cash income per form family in the
District is $463 per year*
astern
Income from the farm contributes over one-
half (60*1 per cent) of this figure* public assistance over onefourth (27*5 per cent), and the remainder, (22.4 per cent) cones from
sources other than the farm and public assistance*
division of Income by source.)
(Bote figure 4,
34-
OTHER SOURCES
X \ 22.4 % \ ' v ;
FARM INCOME
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Figure 4,— Division of total gross income of farm families in the
Western District of Sanders County.
-36.
TJKmgh fan-i inooie is slightly over hall’ tlie total inoone,
it is the iaajor source for M l y one-third (33.4 per cent) of the farm
families (see figure 5).
Public assistance, which is slightly over
one—fourth (27.5 per cent) of the total, is the major source of I m w iCi
for 44.4 per cent of the fara families,
it is evident fro®, these
figures that two-thirds of the farm faallies in the
©stern District
look to sources other than their f&rn for the greater part of titoir
livelihood (refer to figure
5).
fable X gives the distribution of fara families by income for
relief and noi>-rellef households.
Over 60 per cent of the families
in noi>-rolief households Iiod an income no larger than those families
who reooived public assistance.
Inoome of farm families who came to the area after 1930 averages
but slightly over one-half the average income of tiie families living
Uieri
O prior to 1931*
Zhoae families who Otsae to the area in 1931 or
after had an average annual gross cash income of #366.
Families who
had lived in the area before 1931 had a n income of $698.
Over two-thirds (CO »8 per cent) of the families who came to
the region in 1931 or after received public assistance in 1989, while
only 22.7 per cent of the families who lived there prior to 1981
received public assistance.
A high degree of correlation exists between the time the
family came to the area and present oconunio status.
There ore a m o r o u s
reasons why families who oiaae to this region after 1931 have an average
annual rross inoone of only $365, and why over two-thirds of them
^
-SG-
TABLR X.—
DISTRIBUnOH
OP FAHM FAMILI 3 M TOTM CASH IHGOMB
RaLlef FardIioo
U’ibor oi!”
I
_
Hoa-Rellef
.. 'lIiiSer1
Oli'"
All Fanllles
All
0-200
2
7.7%
6
17.9%
7
12.9%
201-400
16
61.6%
7
25.0%
23
42.6%
401-600
8
50.8%
5
17.9%
IS
24.1%
601-800
6
21.5%
6
11.1%
801 - 1000
I
3.6%
I
1.9%
... ..
4
14.2%
JL
7.4^
100.0%
28
100.0%
1000 - over
TOTALS
26
54
100.0%
37-
FARM
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
% % % % 44 4 %
OTHER
Figure 5,— Division, of farm families by major source of income. Western
District of Sanders County.
— S3—
(68 #8 per cent) wore recipients of public assistance in 1989•
The
majority of then cane to the district without adequate capital to rent
or buy a relatively good fara, and they looked equipment to develop
the fUjTiO on which they M d
settled*
The beet f a m e had retained their
operators through this period of novenent.
Of those farmers Who oune
to the area after 1930, masy were poorly informed on correct farming
practices in the region*
The trading areas of Trout Cree*:, Uoxim9 and Heron have a
much heavier relief load than the vicinity to the east of these
trade areas,
Efoarly 60 per cent (69.8 per cent) of the families in
those three trading areas had received public assistance in 1989,
compared to 36 per cent of the families east of Trout Creek (see
table
a!
for Dimber of families on relief in and west of Trout Creek)•
•est of the Trout Creek trade area only 6,1 per cent of the
operators received a gross cash income of #400 or more from their
fauna,
fast of this some area, over one-third (33,1 per cent) of the
farm operators received that much Income or more.
Livestock raising and dairying are the source of over threefourths (79.8 per cent) of the fara income in the Western District,
making up 44.5 per cent and 85,2 per cent, respectively, of the total
far
inoorn (eeo table 6 ),
There are 5.6 per cent more farms selling
dairy products than livestock.
The great majority of livestock raised
for market are cattle and sons hogs.
Over b per cent (5*5 per cent) of the fara income is from
poultry products.
Lost of the poultry products produced In the
— 39—
GRAIN
POTATOES
H A Y ft Ml SC.
14.77 %
POULTRYn
__ 5.46 %
LIVESTOCK
44.54 %
DAIRY P R O D U C T S
35.23 %
Figure 6.— Division of farm income by source in the Western District
of Sanders County.
-1 0 -
TABLK Al .— DISTRIBUTION OF FABfiS ST (ROSS IHCCiES
AHD BlADB C K H B S S
Total Inooce of
F a m Operator
Total
Heron
Trade Center
Trout !'Mte
Noxon
Creek
Pine
Relief
26
4
7
8
I
O - 200
6
I
I
2
I
201-400
7
S
I
401-600
5
I
I
601 - 800
6
2
800 - 1000
I
1000 - over
4
I
64
6
TOTALS
Per Cent
100 .0 #
Thmpeoa
Falls
6
3
I
2
2
2
I
1 1 .2#
2
I
14
13
25.9#
24.0#
6
1 1 .2#
16
27.7#
—41—
region are oonsuned locally.
There was only one s m l l poultry fora
in the sanple*
- oat of the crops raised in this area are constmod on the farm*
Grain, hay, potatoes, and miaoellcmecRie crops aznount to 14*8 per emit
of the total gross farm iroor.e.
Most of this sum comes from grains
and potatoes.
Supplmentary inootie for the farm is derived from numerous
sources.
partsi
For purposes of this study, it has been subdivided into four
railroad, logging, common labor, and all other supplem entary
income such as business, skilled labor, rents, and miscellaneous (see
figure 7).
Laoh of the subdivisions made in this project could be
further subdivided*
The Forest bervloe is not an important supple sentary
source of inoone to the individual farm, but it is for the region*
Town
laborers are more apt to be given the first opportunity for Forest
Service jobs*
Prospects are that income from logging will not decrease, as
the second growth in many areas Is becoming large enough to be logged*
Any Increase from one of the four sources would probably aid in increas­
ing the source of the other three*
Social Conditions in the
estorn District
Soolal l Qbll Ity ,— The Seetern District of Sanders County was
a region of constant population mobility prior to 1931.
Some families
roved about within the region, while others moved in and out periodically,
The families moving about within the region wore largely loggers who
Figure 7,— Supplementary income by source. Western District, Sanders
County.
«43»
KMWWd their fa,lilies to the site of their logging operations.
Ihe
heads of households, who novod into and out of the region, followed numer­
ous eoonosaio eotlvities.
They were persons who did not M v e steady
employment and returned home when ecnploynent sleekened in otiier areas.
Only fanners could be classed as a relatively stable population.
Over one-Iiulf (62.2 per cent) of the families now living on
farms in the Western District cams to the region after 1930.
The years
I'OSb and 1937 were the periods of heaviest migration to the region,
with over one-fourth (23,9 per cent) of the faro population entering
the district during these two years.
Table XII shows the distribution
of faro families by year of entrance for the period 1931 through 1939.
Bie iKEiber of families entering each year are shown as a per cent
distribution of the total population living on farms in 1939.
T M heaviest settlement of faro families since 1930 has been
west of the Trout Creek trade area (see figure 8).
Almost two-thirds
(63.6 per cent) of the families now living in that vicinity erne since
1930.
Over one-half (52.4 per cent) of the families living east of
Trout Creek, in the trade areas of White Pine and Biompson Polls, came
since that date.
Population composition.— The number of households included in
the sample from the Western District contained 223 persons now living
in the 54 households interviewed.
There were five unmarried male
farm operators and one unmarried female farm operator.
Children who
were away at high school were considered dependents of the household.
The age and sex distribution of the rural faro population for the
•
^
COUNTY SCAT
•
ENTERING ISJl OR AFTER
Figure 8 — Location of farm families entering Sanders County after 1930
(Each triangle represents one family in the sample.)
-45-
IAOLE XII#—
.ntrcmce
Prior to 1931
SIiTfiAECK OF FAHM FAMILIES EURIBO TSARS 1931-1339
So. of Rfcdlies
Par Cast
26
48.0#
19 SI
3
6.5^
19S2
I
l.t#
1933
I
1 .9/5
1934
3
5.&#
1935
7
13^4
1936
2
3.7#
1937
7
13X1#
1938
I
1.9#
1939
3
6 .6 #
64
100.04
TOTALS
-46-
w s t e m Onltod States wus used as a control group with which to oospore
the sample data for this region.
Heads of ftimllie** who entered the
esterc District since 1950,
averaged 8*4 years younger for husbands, and 6 *6 years younger for
wives, than those heads who had been there prior to that date.
(liote
table XIII for the distribution of husbands and wives who were there
prior to 1951 and those who case afterwards*)
there is a great
preponderance of persons 45 yours and younger in the group who have
entered the area since 1930.
It is probable that young men raised in
the vicinity do not tend to go farming.
The probable reasons are*
first, young men reared in the western part of the court ry are without
an agricultural background; and, second, most of them are firmly
convinced that the land will not support a family*
Young men and
women with and without agricultural background, from other areas
probably make a subjective appraisal of a new region prior to leaving
their old habitat; it is unlikely that they would go to Sanders County
to farm if t ay saw it in the same light as those persons reared in
the region who do not choose to farm*
Figure 9 shows the age and sex composition for the persons
in the
otitem District*
The number of males 56 years and over was
about the some as the number of females SI and over.
ISisbunds were,
on the average, 48.5 years of age while their wives averaged 40.3 years
(see table XIII)*
Average ages of Imsbands and wives indicate that
the husbands marry from an age group lower than the one in which they
are included*
The smaller a m b e r of females 16-25 years, is partly
-47.
table
Xiiiw-
age
D i s m a o n o H or
opisiators a n d t h s i r w x w s b b y p e r i o d
OF v-IJTRT, WBjTERH DISTRICT OF SANDERS CODBTT
1959
Age Groupe
Prior to 1931
Operators Slvee
After 1930
Operators Slvea
Under 30
Z
5
3
9
SI - 45
4
4
12
10
46-60
7
10
16
8
61 - over
7
I
2
I
TOTALS
20
20
52
29
Average Age
53.4
44.8
46.0
38.2
-43*
explained
50
by
the tendency of rlrla of that age to leave the fana and
to the villages and oltlea.
Of children at ziono, 75.5 per cent
were of school age.
Table XIV shows an age distribution of persons in the
estem
District of Sanders County as compared with a similar distribution for
the United States.
The first age class In Sanders Couzity la for ages
0-5 years, while it is for 0-4 years for the United States.
Though
the United States distribution of people by ages is slightly different,
the similarity in the age distribution Is Izriedlately apparent by
comparison.
The sex ratio In the Yifestern District of Sanders County shows
an unusual predominance of males.
Table XIV-A compares the sex ratio
by age distribution for western Sunders County with a similar table for
the rural fana In the western United States.
The ratio of males
to females is 8.5 per cent greater in Sanders County than on western
rural farms in the United States.
Ownership and Tenure.— Since 1950, many families Imve entered
Sacdero County, and especially the western part where they were able
to settle on farms without making a down-payment.
In instances where
the settler was unable to meet the rent or purchase payments, the owner
was usually glad to have him remain for paying assessments and keeping
up the farm.
The owner and settler are both aided by this process $
the owner by the upkeep of his faro, the tenant ay having a place to
live.
Pew farmers who entered the western district since 1950 have
AGE GROUPS
MALE
FEMALE
76 a OVER
66 TO 75
56 TO 65
46 TO 55
36 TO 45
31 TO 35
26 TO 30
21 TO 25
16 TO 20
Il TO 15
6 TO IO
I TO 5
25
20
15
IO
5
O
O
5
IO
15
Figure 9,— Population chart for the Western District of Sanders County
20
25
-60-
IABLR XIV^-COLiPARISOR MBSWE8M A#: DISTRIBOTIOR OF PSRSCW
IN WESTERN SANDERS COONTi WITH THE ONITED STAT?:iS
1M *
6 -2 0
53#l/o
5-19
52.80
21-50
14.20
20-29
13.2/
51-45
15.6/,
30-44
19.31
46-65
2 1 .0 0
45-64
19.70
66 - over
TOTALS
«#
Oi
65 - over
2.50
1 0 0 .0 0
I
fears of Aj ;e*Per
I
O
0
1
Tears of age * Per Cent of Persons
United States
1I
s
W e a t w a Diatriot of Sanders County
9.80
5.70
100 .00
TABLE XIV-A
I alee per 100 Families in senders
CtKinfar
Age Class
Hales per 100 Females
‘ales per 100 Families in
the United States*
Age Class lfales per 100 Feoales
0 - 5
153.6
0 - 5
105.2
6 -2 0
174.0
5-19
1 11 .I
21-30
128.6
20-29
152.2
31-46
91^)
50-44
116.9
46-65
142.1
45-64
144.3
66 - over
400.0
65 - over
181.4
TOTALS
134.8
*
124.5
3.5 greater preponderance of noles in Sanders County them for
western United Jtatea f a m e .
-51-
a major equity In their forme
uite often the operator is only owner
in nazne, the or?ulty rei&lnin" In the hands of the seller; however, all
persons who had m d e any purchase payments on the faro they operate are
referred to os owners in this project.
Nearly 93.5 per cent of the
persons interviewed, who were owners in 1930, were again owners in
1939.
tiearly three-fourths of the families in the western Dlatriet have
entered since 1930.
Ctoly 6.5 por cent of those persons who were among
the owners In 1930 had become tenants by 1939.
Of those persons who
were tenants In 1930, nearly one-half (47.6 per cent) had become
owners in 1939.
There was an IB .9 per cent Increase in ownership
status In the ten-year period, 1930 to 1939.
Community Organization.— Heerly 60 (69.4 per cent) per cent of
vhe families did not belong to organisations.
Only one-fifth of the
farmers belonged to an organisation that me* with aiy degree of regular­
ity.
There were 11 Grange members (most of these members had joined
only recently) and two members of the womans* Club.
Pntertajroent.— Nearly one-half (46,4 per cent) of the families
had no
entertainment that took than away from their homes.
The radio ^
was listed os the greatest source of recreation, however, only onethird of the families had one in working order,
west of Trout Creek
there Is scarcely any social Interaction or entertainment away from
the home.
One-half of the homes took neither a daily or weekly newspaper.
Of those who did take then, 56.3 per cent were papers from Spokane,
Washington, while only 44.7 per cent were from Montana.
Dost of the
/-
T""
__:;X
...S"'---
LEGEND
* ENTERING BEFORE 1931
ENTERING 1931 OR AFTER
Figure 10.— Areas from which Sanders County farm families have migrated.
(For the entire county.)
-65-
f a m fanlllea took sene ragasloes, the creator part of which wero faro
jo, m a l a ,
Iioarly three-fourtha (72,2 per cent;) of the faalliea either
havo
no onto or one older than e 1952 model.
Contrary to reports tlmt
people receiving public assistance were driving new oars, a 1936 Ctoeverolet was found to be the latest model oar owned by azy one who had received
public aesistonoe in 1939.
Fieaaons for Leaving Tixeir corner Hpnea and Coiainc To IantImitS
County,— Of the St families entering the district since 19S0, SO of
them were forced from their hones > 19 by drought, 6 because of unemployaent In the cities, and 6 by bad health,
(see figure 10
showing points where the families lived prior to entering Sanders County,)
Tho reasons for families entering the region since 1930 wore
three in numberj 18 families had visited the area during the late
spring and early s u m e r and were attracted by the vegetation and citrate,
four because of railroad advertisements, and six come because they had
friends in the area.
Of those who entered since 1930, 17 said they
believed they had bettered their condition, four thought they were
more poorly located then before they moved, and nine said their
condition remained about the same.
The questions as to why families
left their former hones and ou io to Sanders Conrty did not apply to
people who were old settlers in the community,
:lonos«— t'oat of the homes hove none of the modern conveniences
and comforts.
Very few of then were painted.
An electric power line
has been recently extended from Thompson Falla west through the
^
-54-
TABLE X V »— DISTRIBUTION OF IBRlQkXED AIID DET LAHD
FAfiMS BI SIZB
Size of Parzr. by
oros
O •
41 81 121 161
321
481
641
301
1601
2401
3201
40
80
irrigated Forae
Ho* of Fturcia Fer Cent
5
Dry Lond F a m s
So* of P u m s Per Cent
10
9.6
19*2
160
2
3*8
2
3.3
•
-
320
430
640
800
6
2
9.6
3*3
1.9
3.8
9
I
17.5
1.9
I
1.9
.
-
1600
2600
3200
over
4
7.8
3.8
3
2
2
5.9
3.8
I
1.9
34
65.2
120
totals
I
2
____
18
34.7
TABLE XVI .— DISTRIBUTION OF FABSSS IH THE EASTKIiH DISTRICT
BI AMOUBT OF LAHD I R R I O A m
Acres Irrigated
Ho. of
Po t d s
Per Cent
0 - 4 0
15
«*•2#
4 1 - 8 0
14
41.1#
31-120
2
5.9#
121-160
2
5.9/5
161 - 200
I
3.0^
32
100 .0 #
TOTALS
— 65—
Clarks fork Valley
mhave
15 of the 54 lionee now have oleotrlelty.
riilrty-emren of the housos have no running water*
Forty of them are
nullt of luaaber, 15 of logs, and one of stuooo*
Fatally situation.— TIie hone and fonlly situation are not
adequately expressed In teros of their physical surroundings.
Soce of
the faollle* In the r egion maintained their morale, while others were
broken under the suns conditions of poverty.
have had no security for the post 10 years,
Most of these families
Relief officials, limited
6y funds, are forced to grant as little assistance as the family can
be physically
maintained on.
The
relief client who voluntarily leaves
the relief roles to take short-tine enploynent finds It slow and arduous
being reinstated when it ceases; thus, he becomes fearful of taking
employment unless there is some assurance as to the length of time it
will last.
The resulting attitudes from their dependence upon public
assistance set In action other behavior patterns that effect the
whole social and economic condition within any connunlty.
There has been no extensive clearing done during the last 10
years.
This cannot altogether be attributed to either the lack of
equipment or capital.
Qad people thought farming would develop in
the region, there la little doubt but what the clearing and the develop­
ment cf the f a m e would have gone forward with rapidity.
-56-
P M I V.
AS AHALYS IS OF ? m EASTERS DISTRICT OF SAHDERS COOSTY
ooixxnio /ja a ly a is
Irrigated and Dry Land .VtuTus^- R e a r I y two-thirds (65*4 per cent)
of the faros in the
astern Dletriet of Sandere County are irrigated*
the remaining M *6 per cent are dry land faroe.
Irrigated f a m e of
the region contribute greatly to the success of dry land farming.
Liveetook ranchers are especially aided by their proximity to irrigated
areas whore hay may be obtained for a minimum price.
The analysis of
fturning conditions in this region will conoider Irrigated and dry land
faros distinct frtxn one another.
Many of the irrigated forme in table XY appear in groupings
of 121 acres and over.
This does not mean these f a m e have as mazy
acres irrigated as the acreage group In which they fall; rather it
indicates the total number of acres, both irrigated and mo-irrigated,
in the faro.
There are only IS per cent of the farms that have 100
or more acres Irrigated and in no instance is there a faro with more
than 200 acres irrigated.
There are no dry land f a r m of less than 80 acres in slse in
this region.
Iknrever, 44.1 per cent of the irrigated faros were In
this minimum group.
The common practice of operators o n the fringe
of an irrigation district in this area is to lease the non-irrigated
land that adjoins their irrigated tract for gracing.
This explains
why over one-half of the irrigated faros are in groupings (see table XV)
of 121 and over.
Table XVI shows the distribution of irrigated farms
-57.
ty cu .aunt of land undor Irrlsatlone
/lnost two-thirds (65,5 per cent) of the
district cultivate ICO or lose acres.
operators cultivate 300
or
more acres,
famere
In the
Only 5,8 per cent of the
Tho
total m o u n t of land in
the 62 f a m e in -the erne# was 29,608 acres, of which only 5,631
acres
were under cultivation.
The problem of clearing land in the eastern part of the county
is not a major one.
Only 5,4 per cent of the farms had lftnd uncleared
but olearablo as compared to 96.2 per cent for the western District.
Crops ,— In this region, 92 per cent of the farms raised sane
hay, almost one-half (48 per cent) of which raised 30 or store tons.
One-fourth of the farms raised 61 or more tons of hay.
grown almost exclusively in this area,
Alfalfa is
(See table XTZIl for the
distribution of irrigated and non— irrigated farms by the amount of hoy
raised.)
Sorte of the alfalfa in the area is allowed to ripen and is
then cut and threshed for seed.
Alfalfa seed has besoms an important
farm product cm the Lone Plce Irrination project.
The farmers producing
seed have a Seed Growers' Association through which most of it is
marketed.
Over one-half (57.6 per cent) of the farms raised sane grain.
The average yield per acre was 19.7 bushels.
There was little or no
grain other than wheat grown in this region.
Of the faras raising
grain, 13.4 per cent produced 1000 or more bushels in 1939 (see table XIX).
Farmers of the area pointed to the Iaok of moisture as a factor to be
53-
ZAaiE X7II»— DISTRIBUTION OF FAiSiS iff LA® CROPPED OS CULTIVATED
Acres of
Cropped or
Cultivated
Land
Irrigated Faraa
Bo. of F a m s
Per Cent
Dry Land Faras
Ho. of F a m e
Per Cent
0
1 - 2 5
2 6 - 5 0
5 1 - 7 5
76 - 100
101
126
151
176
201 -
125
150
175
200
over
TOTALS
S
13
8
6
I
2
5e8->
25.1#
15.4#
9.6#
3
I
I
I
1.9#
3.8#
2
2
I
I
1.9#
I
34
65.4#
5.9#
1.9#
1.9#
!•9#
6
3.8#
1.9#
1.9#
U .6 ,
18
84.6»
I
I
ZABLE m i l •— DISXliIiiUTIOM OF FARMS BT TONS OF HAT RAISED
Too* of Bay
Raised
Irrigated F a m g
S b . of Farns
Per Coat
0 1 -2 0
3
4
2 1 - 4 0
8
4 1 - 6 0
6 1 - 8 0
31 - 100
4
101 - 120
121 - 140
141 - over
TOTALS
______ Pry Laai Fauna
Fio. of Faros
Per Cesit
6 .8#
I
7.8#
16.3#
8
7
1.9#
15.4#
13.5
I
I
1.9#
1.9#
3
H.4#
7^#
5.8' j
I
1.9#
6
6
34
....
65^#
18
84.6#
-59-
IABLR A I X D I S T R I M J T I O S OF F A M S 8T ASCflJHT OF GRAIB RAISED
Bushels of
Caraln
0 -
&.
Irrigated Paras
Per Cent
Farms
Dry Land Fanoa
Mo. of Faras
Per Cent
15
2 8 .» /,
7
13.9:
I
1.9;:
I -
199
10
19*3>
200 -
599
4
7J& /
400 -
599
2
z .W
I
X J ft
2
ZJZZ
2
Z J ft
999
I
1.9,5
1000 - 1199
3
Z J ft
2
Z J ft
I
1.95
18
54.95
600 - 799
800 -
1200 - 1899
1400 - 1599
1600 - 1799
1800 - 1999
2000 - over
TOTALS
I
USK
34
65.4;:
«60«»
considered In the unount of crops produced In 1959.
Operators can-
plained that their crops had not done so poorly for years (see figure 2 ,
precipitation for 1339).
Over one-third of the farms produced sufficient vegetables
for homo consumption.
Some potatoes and sugar beets were produced for
commercial purposes.
Livestock .— Table XX gives the distribution of -arms by the
nunoer of m ilk cows.
Over two-thirds (67.2 per cent) of the faros have
five or more milk cows.
cows each.
The farms average slightly
or* than six
Over one-fifth (31.1 per omit) of then have lees than three
milk cows as compared with 17.3 per cent of the farms t at have nine
or more of them.
In this region, 44.2 per cent of the farms have six or more
head of beef cattles however, over one-fourth of them have none.
The
common practice among farmers having milk cows is to sell for veal, the
calves which they do not keep for their dairy herd.
Of the ranches,
6.7 per cent have more than 30 head of beef cattle.
This figure does
not include calves.
There are several cattle ranches in this region
which have between 350 and 1000 head.
(Bote table XXl for distribution
of farms by number of beef cattle.)
Three faros in the eastern part of the county had over 200
head of sheep.
Ho large sheep ranches appeared in the sample although
the interviewer called on one faro operator with more than 1 0 ,000 head.
He, however, refused to cooperate b
schedule
answering questions asked in the
TABU': XX*— DIsmgUTIOIJ OF PARSES BT £IL$C COHS
M l k Cows
Irrlgat
MO* of arris
PoFTieraE
Per JeirC
O
I
Ir H
3
5.3%
1 - 2
6
11*5/0
I
1.9%
S -
4
6
9.6J
2
3.8%
S -
6
8
15.4%
8
15.4%
7 - 8
7
IS. 6%
S
5*5*
3
I
4
7.8%
I
1.9%
I
1.9%
I
1.9%
I
JLsSE
I
1.9%
34
65.4%
18
34^5
11 - 12
13 - 14
15-16
17-18
19 - error
TOTALS
-62-
One farm In the sample of this area, specialised in raising ho ;s.
Only 17.5 per cent of the farms had 10 or more pigs; two farms Itad over
25 heed.
Over one-third (54.6 per cent) had no hogs on the farm.
Four farmers in the sample had no team, the remainder of theea
had a sufficient number of horses to meet the needs of the farm.
One-fourth of the operators owned a tractor, but of the four farmers
without teams, none had a tractor.
Most of the operators sold eorne poultry products.
half (57.6 per cent) of the forms bad 50 or more ohiekons.
Over oneOnly four
farms had no poultry, while 15.4 per cent of thorn had ISO to 400
chickens•
Income.— The average gross cash income of farm families in this
region was $1425 for the year 1959.
Fomilies on dry land farms
averaged #1595 income as compared with .1256 for those on irrigated
unite.
It is probable that if irrigation were not practiced in the
region, the average income for dry land farms would not bo os large
as it is at present.
Ihe dry land farms benefit by the low feed prices
made possible by irrigation.
-jearly one-fifth (19.3 per cent) of the farm families in the
astern Distriot have an Income of
400 or under (see table XVII).
(See table X for the western District— 66.5 per cent of the fora families
have an income of #4u0 or under.)
Over one-half (59.3 per cent of the
farms in the eastern part of the county had an income of $801 or over.
CtoJy 9.3 per cent of the farm families in toe Western Distrlet had an
-G5~
TMJLP, 1X1 ,-DISKiIflOfIOH OF FARMS M BBE933i OF CAfILE
OTHER THAN MILX COVS
NO* o£ Cattle
Other than
Milk Coro
O
1 - 6
Irrigated i turns
Mo* o t F a m e
Per Cent
Bxy Land Faros
Bo* of faros
P w Cent
9
17*8^
5
9.6%
10
IS.#
8
9 .8/5
4
7*fl?5
6 - 1 0
I
1 1 - 1 5
S
5*8;S
1 6 - 2 0
2
BJHt
2
W #
21—
4
7 .5 ;
I
l.%5
2
*JHL
I
i»sg(
81 - 100
I
i*%;
101 - over
2
—■3*8>
iei
40
41-60
6 1 - 8 0
___ _
i» Ii I
TOTALS
34
65*4,»
18
34 *%;
-64SjioatG equal to or larger than this figure.
i^ara lnoone made up 86*5 per cent of the total laoome earned
ty farm f m U l e a In thla region In 1939.
Fl£?ire U
gives the division
of farm income by farm products for the ;astern District.
Livestock
contributed 47*2 per cent, dairy was the source for 18*5 per cent* and
poultry 12.2 per cent of the farm lnoone.
per cent, woi less than poultry.
Jrain, contributing 11*4
All other farm produce, including
alfalfa seed, potatoes, sugar beets, honey, hay, etc., were responsible
for 10,7 per cent of the income from farms.
Supplementary Income to the farm. Including Public Assistance,
amounted to only 8,7 per cent of the total.
Puhlio Asslstenoe wus
less than one per cent (0 .8 8 per cent) of the whole; all other sources
were 7.8 per cent of the total.
also figure 11 with figure 6 .)
(Compare figure 12 M t h figure 4;
Public Assistance wus the .sajor source
of income for 44.4 per cent of the farm families In the
District as compared to 1.9 per cent In the Pastern
estom
!strict.
Supple­
mentary income, excluding P u M Io Assistance, la the major source for
twice as many families In the western part of the county as it Is for
the eastern area.
Bie farm is the major source of income for two and
one-half times as nary families in the eastern area as it Ie for the
Western District.
Joclal Gonditlono in the
astern District
Having presented the data Ibr the
e s t o m District of Ganders
County and the data on farm conditions for the eastern part of the
-65-
H A Y 0.78 %
ALL O T H E R
PRODUCE
\ 9.92 %
GRAINS
11.36 %
POULTRY
LIVESTOCK
47.21 %
12.22 %
DAIRY P R O D U C T S
18.51 %
Figure 11 .— Division of farm income by source in the Eastern District
of Sanders County.
—66—
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE 0 . 8 8 % - *
OTHER
SOURCES
\7.8 2 %
F A R M I N C O M E 91.30 %
Figure 12.— Division of total gross income of fara families in the
Eastern District of Sanders County.
-67.
IAQLE X U I - D I S X R I - H J T I O B OF F A M FAilILIES ST
TOTAL CASH IBCQME
Total
Ineooe
Irrl'a bed Faroe
BOe or
Faroe
Per Cent
0-400
8
401-800
10
SOI - 1200
5
1201 - 1600
Dry Land Faroe
Mo. of
Farm
Per Cent
aITT a r o ^
Lu. of
Faroe
Per Cent
6
9.6%
10
19.3%
I
1.9%
11
21.1%
9.6%
S
6.9%
8
16.4%
6
11.6%
2
8
15.4%
1601 - 2000
2
3 ^
5
7
13.5%
2001 - 2400
I
1.^5
I
I^C
2401 - over
6
13.6%
TOTALS
34
9.6%
Gb.4%
9.0%
2
3.3%
7
13
34.6%
52
100.
-68-
oounty, the reader thould, at this point, be cognisant of the oontyast
in conditions between the two regions.
It is evident that the physical
outlay and f a m toccme is on a much higher ©canonic level in the
eastern part than in the western.
Social Mobility.— Less than one quarter (24 per cent) of the
f a m families living in the eastern District had entered the area
within the nine-year period, 1931 through 1939.
In other words, over
three-fourths of the people in this region are long-tioe residents.
This region, IiJtto the western area, had the largest ounber of entries
in 1935 and 1937, but with only 7.7 and 6 .8 per cent increases,
respectively, o n the basis of the total population for 1939.
(western
area had entries amounting to 25.9 per cent for each of these some
years.)
The total entries for the years 1936 and 1937 m o u n t e d to
13*5 per cent as compared to 10.5 per cent increase for all other seven
years.
Throe figures are significant because years of heaviest
entries coincide for each district, and the adjustments within the
astern District to the ounber of entries is not comparable to the
adjustments that had to be made in the Western District.
In this
region there is no apparent concentration of farm families entering
after 1930 (see figure 8 ).
Seven of the 12 families entering the region since 1930 were
from Montana, though from scattered areas within the state.
The other
five families had come to the area from long distances and all from
different states or territories (see figure 10 ).
-09Age and sex Cacposltlon.— Ihare Is only a four-yaar disparity
between the average ages of husbands and wives in the eastern area.
Bie average age of heads of families who entered prior to 1930 is 31
years; for those entering after 1930 it is 44 years, risking a sevenyear difference in average Bgee of the two groups.
(Heads who entered
the western port of the county prior to 1931 averaged 8.4 years older
than those who have entered since that date.)
The average number of children per family at hone is 1.4
(2.2 in the Vootern District).
As in the h e s t e m District, nearly
three-fourths (74.8 per cent) of the children are of school age.
There is, however, a 68.5 per cent greater proportion of children six
years and under in the Western Districts this is explainable by the
62.5 per cent predominance of wives 40 years and younger in that area.
Ownership end tenure.— In 1930, 70.5 per cent of the operators
were owners, in 1939 that figure had increased to 79.7 per cent of the
formers.
Only in one case had an owner in 1930 become a tenant by
1939; in comparison to this, six tenants had became owners.
Organisations and uooe venditions*— Thlrty^ono of the 52 families
in the iastern District participated in no social organisation.
were 20 hoods who were mombors of the Orange.
Tliero
Menbers of one social
group, as a rule, are the most active in other formal social organisa­
tions} for instance, the nine persona active in clubs and lodges wore,
without exception, also members of the Grange.
Twenty-tiro families took neither a weekly nor daily paper.
the thirty families who did take papers, 10 took a
Of
ashlngton paper and
70-
22 took a Montana paper,
area,)
(The reverse of this Is true In the Y e e t e m
!here were three families who took no mapasinea, one took a
daily newspaper.
Housing conditions In the eastern area are poor,
inly slightly
over a third of the hones Itave running water, 22 have electricity, and
80 are painted.
The home conditions are inadequately portrayed by
the IaoilitioQ listed.
Occasionally a hone lacking all three of these
conveniences has nore ocnforts than those that have that.
all qualities of lyxaes in this region.
to the interviewerI
There are
One factor seemed quite certain
the home situation is reflected by the income
over & period of years.
Homes on the stock fores are superior to ary
other division of farm families.
Homes In this region are. In general,
better titan those In the Western District; however, the writer believes
housing is a real problem to over half the families.
Rooreatlon and Social Organisation*— Meoroatlon is geographicalIy
accessible to most farm families.
theaters.
Plains, Dixon, and Hot Springs have
Mlsstmla is loss than 100 miles distant.
There ore five
high schools in the area which are probably tore successful in bring­
ing the farm people into the social fabric than any other institution.
A
fine oocramity spirit prevails in the Lone Pine community, all of
which centers around the school.
Three families had no social recreation outside their far a .
Less than one-half (25) of them had a radio, 16 attended some school
entertainments, 14 went to donees, and 20 did acme visiting.
It is the
interviewer's belief that the degree of isolation in the tastern
District is not coc: arable to that of the iestem District.
Here
there is greater hope for the future* social control sake* relief a
last resort and gives it a demoralising status.
Ihe majority of autoooMles are late nodela.
01’ those people
O M l n g oars, 17 had a 1036 to 1939 model, 11 owned 1933 to 1935 oodele,
while 12 owned earlier ones.
Individual participation in coeznaalty activities and organises*
tlons is apparently determined ty Inoceae, distance, and age.
Ihe
distance of low incase families from villages and neighbors is more
effective In isolating them than is the case with a fatally of a higher
income group.
Income, more than any other factor, contributes to
social isolation.
It remains, however, a serious problem, among only
the low income families In the region.
It has been the observation of the writer that families
socially isolated tend to be less affected by social controls.
In
mazy oases the fanaers who could have obtained public assistance did
without it for fear of losing status in the ocornmity.
Isolation
apparently encourages the growth of relief and likewise relief
encourages isolation.
PART VI. A SUGGESTED PROGRAM TO RELIEVE SOCIAL AHD
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN SANDiIiS COUNIT
It is readily apparent that most families living In Sanders
County idio have gross cash Incomes of less than $600 per year are
actual or potential problem oases.
This observation is based upon the
conclusions drawn from the results of personal interviews with approximately
one-fifth of the white farm familioe in this county#
S e v w a l levels of living are possible within lnocaaea of lees
than #600*
%rpe of faming, farm else and productivity, management,
aise of family, health of family, and lndeotednoss are but a few of
the major factors effecting the level of living.
However, this is in­
sufficient to meet the costs of a great many emergencies that conceiv­
ably could arise, and the levels to be obtained from less than this
amount are not compatible with any standard involving the
of health and decency.
Consequently, the suggested yearly gross cash
income of #600 will be adequate only within the limits to be outlined
in the following discussion.
In discussing a program of improvement for Sanders County, it
is necessary to take into consideration, first, special and cultural
location] second, the natural features of the area; and third, the
social, economic, and political backgrounds and traditions of the
population*
This county is dominated by two distinctly urban trade centers*
Spokane 100 miles to the west and Missoula 50 miles to the southeast*
A n improved state highway and the main line of the Horthern Pacific
Railroad extends the entire length of the county end gives easy
access to these two cities*
Ttorefore, Sanders County is so situated
In regard to dominant urban cultures that the extent to which a stable
and distinct regional culture can be established is seriously affected
by its position*
There is evidence to show a gross cash income of # 0 0 per year
73-
in an area such as Western W o n t a m based on 1939 prices and wages,
will permit a level of living in the area that will compare favorably
with the l a m e r a* concept of the city level of living.
The attainment
of this minlaasa of social and. eooncsnlo edvatage presupposes a h l ^
degree of self-sufficiency from the f a m .
This means that dairy and
poultry products, vegetables, meat, and >.uel must be produced on the
fam.
Ihe #500 would provide fort
fern operating expenses, food and
oloViing not produced on tite f a m , medicine, recreation for the
family, secondary education of children.
The attainment of these
values is the fund cental standard of heads of families in this
region; it la neither an average ror a mximuni, but the very floor, one
below which social casts would, rise rapidly*
With such an lnootae it
is highly probable tiiat present demoralisation would be diminished and
a positive desire to farm would become current in this area.
A program for Sanders County will have to be based upon the
recognition of the social and governmental costs of developing a
self-sustaining eoonoeay as against the costs arising from a rapidly
developing rural slum in which continued government expenditures for
all forms of relief will be inevitable.
All loans made or
expended for rehabilitating this county nay not bo repaid.
xmey
However,
the amount not repaid would probably be spall compared with the social
costs QJTMi government expenditures that will accrue over a period of
years under the present situation.
It appears that social and economic
conditions, especially in the western part of the county, are not
being Improved at the present tine.
Considering the extent of the
-74-
m
ural resources available In this area. It Is very probable that the
costs of rehabllltatlne and resettling stranded feeallles will be at
a clnicam; considerably less then In other problen areas willoh are
deficient In natural resources•
Land Clearing#--Baslo to the development of a self-sustaining
e o o m r y for Sanders County* s subtaarglnal and marginal farmers is a
land clearing program.
Amount of lend cleared appears to be one of
tiie c a t Important factors limiting the amount of income to be
derived from dry land farms In this area,
(uee table XXIII showing
the relation between gross cash income and m o u n t of cleared land*)
As there Is no cash crop In the iestero District and none In the
astern District that is well developed, livestock raising, for either
dairying or beef production, m a t necessarily be a part of the farm
eoonory.
In order to provide a gross cash income of $500, the farm
must have at least eight or ten cows, several calves for replacement
purposes, and a team of horses.
Feed for uuoh livestock will have t o
be grown on the farm as it is unlikely that either hay or grain can
be bought and fed at a profit.
Since the average amount of hey raised
on dry land farms is slightly over one ton per acre, between 40 and
SO acres of hay land would be required to support the minimum number
of livestock.
Thla figure is based upon the assumption that the amount
of hay required during the winter feeding svoson will be 2 .5 tons per
animal unit*
The grain necessary Ibr chickens, hogs, and horses will
require additional cleared land*
75-
IM L B M i l l •— DISlRiaUTIOB OF OPERATOkti if f AC&E&OB CLSAHED ABD
• ISCOME OF m i W B D FA-1MERS IE
'uores of
Cleared
Land
Ho. of
Opera­
tors
Ho. Receiv­
ing Public
<-aslstanoe
SAJIDERti COUHTT
KBBr
JX to
$400
800
1200
over
Total
70
25
24
8
4
9
I to 20
42
20
18
2
I
I
21 to 40
S
S
I
I
41 to 60
10
I
4
2
61 to 80
2
I
81 to 99
3
100 or over
8
3
-76-
The exact u.xnmt of cleared land neoossary for as ©oonesalo
unit that would provide the suggested olniotsa standard would tmry,
depending upon local soil and uoletsure conditions •
Tltorofore, in order
that a lead clearing program be on the baala of an IntelllEent choice
of the land to be cleared, a ccriprohenaIve soil survey/ of the area
should be
ado,
G m e t t l e d areas not fit for fanalog should be zoned
and reserved for forestry or grazing.
Development of farms In Senders County could be materially
aided If the fEoners on relief were required to Improve their farms
instead of working on WPA•
The policy that lias been followed to
date In granting public assistance has either required no development
of the farm or has taken the operator essay from aome. % /
has encouraged a ware earning philosophy.
This policy
It has taken the farmer* s
interest hra n his fora and focused it upon a different set of conditions.
Tourig men whu have never worked in private Industry see in w'PA and
direct relief a wuy of life.
Though many of thee live on uncleared
farms, they have neither the intention nor the desire to f areas they
are primarily rural wage workers.
Bielr attitudes toward f u m i n g
have been conditioned by their observation of the stump rancher's
existencej In short, they believe relief and
-TA pay better than forming.
3/ There has been one exception to this policy, T h m a s
Horaford, State Director of dural Rehabilitation Division of thei ara
Security Administration, in a circular letter, August SI, 1939, states,
"During a recent session of Congress the Decretory was empowered by
Congress to initiate a Little dorks Frogreza whereby farmers receiving
grants would be required to perform constructive work on their own
land or on lands In their community."
-77for Capital — —jjaothor factor that Itos limited farm !»100™*
In this area is the Iaak of sufficient capital for production purposes*
This factor was constantly stressed I n the interviews, nrxl raaqy farmers
insisted that one of their major problems was the Iaok of adequate
capital for purchasing equipment and livestock*
Land clearing alone
cannot be of any great aid unless farmers are provided sufficient
capital to purchase equipment and livestock*
Consequently, it is
important that a program for improvement should also provide the
neoeseury facilities for a sound long-term loan policy that will
enable farmers to obtain the required capital,
Iieod for Caah Crop*— The Western District of the county is in
need of a cash crop*
Such a crop would have to be produced in abundance
in order that marketing could be done on a large scale.
Irrportant
to the development of the potentialities of this region is the
establishment of marketing agencies*
One of the most discouraging
factors to the development of cash crops is the lack of marketing
information.
There are certain berries which can be grown In abundance
in this region, but the farmers are uninformed as to the proper methods
of packing, handling, and Marketing*
This is especially discouraging
to the small producer and usually results In curtailing the production
of the cooXKiity *
It has been suggested that Christmas trees may be a cash crop
that could be profitably grown in the area.
cut and shipped each winter.
raising them for market.
Thousands of trees are
However, as yet, no one has begun
73.
of Suppla
Ir.corio.— Important to the social and
eoonoralc conditions of the county are Industries that will sup leneat
fare lnoaao.
This is particularly important In order to bold young
men and women In the coraaralty, and In aiding fara families during
aaergenoy periods*
Forestry is probably the greatest potential source of non.fsjrn
income in the county.
The depletion of forests and wild life has
created a serious problem for the Forest Service*
A letter from
the Forest Supervisor's Office in Thompson Falls tells of the things
that should be done In the county*
It says in parti
“The Christmas Tree market has become quite an a canonic asset
to m z y oon unities and can be managed without damage to the future
lumber crop. Attempting to dispose of slash for the fifteen cents
per K allowed by State law on private lands has destroyed many
Cbristnas trees that could have provided an annual labor market in
crapping them*
“The fur-bearing aninala on the forest have been badly de­
pleted under almost unrestricted trapping during open season* The
forests in Sanders County could support a very large number of fur­
boaring animals* SelentAfio cropping of these would give supplemental
work to many forms or forest workers.
“The streams could be improved to
number of fish, which in turn would bring
recreational developments, such as trails
induce more reoreatloniste to make use of
and thereby add to income in the county*
support a much greater
in more fishermen. Other
in the primitive area, would
this area as a playground,
“!ruckle berries are an important pert of the forest economy,
and provide supplemental Izieone to mazy families.
"The above are a few oxacsploa of possibilities in addition
to the obvious forest values, such as gracing, watershed, and
merchantable timber**
Difforeaoea in Distribution of Incarc by Areas *— logging is a
supplementary source of fara income and will be an important factor
-79-
in the eoonaqy of the w m t y for years to oaue.
Certain
of
titotbes which could not have been profitably out before, are now being
lo-^ed.
aerie tracts of timber, previously too small for cutting, are
now- being utilised#
It is improbable that big logging oonponlos will try
to exploit these sr-iall scattered tracts; thus, small logging operators
hiring local labor will find timber to which they can beep moving#
The production of huckleberries has potentialities of becoming
one of the largest sources of revenue to the
western District.
Al­
ready saaqy nen are hired to plok them; Imwever, so many inoff'ioienoies
in marketing and handling the berries have resulted that many persons
have been discouraged from picking than for market.
A marketing agency
handling berries for people in the area would be a real asset to the
ooonocy#
There are possibilities for the development of zsnnerous
industries, such as mining, recreational activities, and canning.
Mazy of these industries eaa be expected to develop together# their
growth will be in a large part reciprocal.
Ileed of Social Organl cation .— A social program is needed,
especially In the
/ost o m District of Sanders County.
Isolation,
insecurity, hopelessness, and inefficiency have contributed to rural
oocirMztity disorganisation#
There has been no oontrail gin,’ agency to
make farm families realise that organisation and cooperative action
are neoesaary to meet the collective problems of their community.
»br Instance, when the county stopped distributing poison oats for
killing rodents, there was no organised protest.
In oases whore
-UOfanilios rare unable to get relief or nedical aid, there was no
ferency to investigate such oases and to bring pressure fen* their
care if they merited it.
The prevailing attitudes have been strongly
individualistic and little kinship exists among people of like cIrcum—
stemees.
It seecs probable to the writer that a social and economic
organisation, effective in drawing in the low income farmers, could
fulfill many social needs and stimulate cooperation within the rural
coExamity*
Rural social organisation is Important to the satisfactory
adjustment of farm families throughout the county,
heed of Adequate
duoatlonal facilities.— Offerings of agri­
cultural and economic courses in the high schools would do aaioh toward
developing a more congenial attitude among young men and women toward
farming.
needs.
The schools have not been adapted to the rural community
If young people were trained in agriculture instead of pre­
paratory courses for higher education, their adjustment to the rural
environment would be more satisfactory.
The principal of the Lono
Pine High school has successfully established his school as a c o m m l t y
center.
The Lone Pine o o n m m i t y is the only ooranunity that adequately
serves farm families In Sanders County.
Hood of Cooperative Actloru--Iiorc important than any other
single factor is the hope for a morale, a community spirit that will
act os an awakening force to the individual.
ITnleea the program has
the power of capturing the imagination and stimulating the individual,
unless it gives hope of a fuller life, it will be doomed to failure.
A successful program for the county cannot be imposed from above
-dlwithout due coKeidoration of the baokyronmd and present attitudes of
the people.
There exists an attitude of negativism among these
families and though they look to and depend upon government aid,
nevertheless, they suspect its every m v e .
A program should first
receive the acclaim of the people In the county, for success of that
program Lat in the last analysis, dependent upon the cooperation it
can develop among the peoplo, and between them and the administrators.
-82-
PART m .
APPSffiIX
ECONOMIC M D SOCIAL SURVEY OF SANDERS COUNTY
I.
Name__________________________
Main trade center:
Head of family foreign born: Yes
Residence:
Miles from farm:
No
Nationality:
Farm;Section
Distance to: Graie School
Ovmer
Township
Range
High school
Tenant
Part-Owner
II.
Household
Member
Age
Head
Wife
Sex
Birthplace
County
State
Farm
reared
Still in At home
school
now
Away from home & living
County
City
State Farm
Occupation
Marital
Status
i
:
:
-— ------- 1
a
---------— Ch
■
Where did you live before coming to Sanders County?__________________________ What caused you to decide to move to Sanders
County instead of some other place?__________________________________________ _ W h y did you leave the community you came from?
_____________________________________
D o you believe you have bettered your condition by coming to Sanders County?
:
Year : Town
1930 s
1931 :
1932 :
Lived
County or state
Occupation
Reason for moving
Owner or tenant
.
.
1933 :
1934 ;
1935 :
1936 :
1937 :
1938 :
1939 :
-
Farm or town
Other sources of income
Production
Units
for 1939
Tame Hay
Wild Hay
:
Wheat
Oats
Other grains
Potatoes
Sugar beets
Truck garden
Dairy products
Beef
Pork
Mutton
Wool
Poultry products
Other produce
Acres
:
in each : Markets
Gross
:: Source or type
Receipts ::
or income
Time
Period
Amount:
V.
2
K
::
K
::
::
n
5
::
IZ
::
::
::
=
::
:
FARM:
Size of farm
Acres owned
Acres rented
Acres irrigated
Acres pasture
Acres clearable
LIVESTOCK;
Milk cows
Calves
Other cattle
Sheep
Lambs
Hogs
Horses
Chickens
Turkeys
Things you do for entertainment
Organization
No. of meetings : Frequency of
: Attendance
Town :
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
Tractor
Mowing Machine
Hay rake
Wagon
Truck
Hazards to successful farming in Sanders County
1
______ ________________________________ ___
2
________________________________________
Papers or Magazines you read
1
3
3
4
5
________ _______________________________
4_______ ________________________ _______________
5
__________ ____________ __ _________
HOME:
Running Water
Electricity
Buildings painted"
House Material
2
MISCELLANEOUS:
Automobile
Make
Year
«•8 5—
BIBLIOaiAPHi
!.IsoeXluaeoua PaoXloutioae
Xe
Anauol Hepofts of the County Agent of Sanders County, 1917-1938,
2.
Coon, Shirley Joy, "The oononlo Dewelopmait of L-issoula, ^ o n t o m n,
Dootor1S Dissertation, Uclv. of Chicago, Chicago, 111. Typewritten,
1926, 420 pp.
3.
Elliot, label A., and Merrill, Francis B, "Social Disorganisation",
iIarper and hrotliors, Ber York and London, 1934
4.
Leoson, :IloMel A., editor. "FAstory of Montana, 1739-1886",
,earner, toero and Caigmry, Chicago, 1885.
Issoula Cwrnty,
Chapter XXVIII, pp. 823-899.
5.
Ksyaer, Oeerge Robert. "! ontena, The Land of The People", The
Lewis Publishing Company, Chloago and Her York, 1930. Vol. I,
p. 88.
6.
Steiner, Jessie F. "Headings In Tiuoan Ecology", Univ. of Washing­
ton, Seattle. 1937-1938, 60 chapters.
iontana ■.grioultural
aperir^int Station Publications
1.
Kraensel, Carl F. " T M Relief Problem in iambam", ' oat. Agr.
.X,-» Jta. Jal. 343, doseoan, Montana, 1937, 64 pp,
2.
Kraensel, Carl F. sF a m Population Mobility In Selected ontana
Comiaunlties", out. Agr. Exp. Sta, 3ul. 371, Boseman, ontana.
1939, 63 pp., I T H s . ----- L ---------
3.
Reits, L. P. "Crop Regions In ontana As eluted to nvlronaental
Faotors'*, ont. Agr. Expm Sta. Jul. 340, Bostmmn, !ontana.
1937, 84 p ~ U H s .
;!ontana Extension Service Publioatlom
I.
Montana x t e m i o n Service. "Planning A n Arrieultural Pro^prem for
sunders County", Bosersan, Fontana. 1937, nliaeo., 56 pp. and
apiondix, U l u e .
2.
ReiEio, . R., and Lord, H« H. "Montana F a m Price Variations",
Bontana E X t e m l o n Service Clr. 93, Josa an, ontana. 1038, 8 pp.
-66-
AGKBOWLBDSiEm
The author wishoa to aoknowledne the asslataixje of Dr. R a R.
R M m e In planning and adviolng tliroughont the project.
For suggestions
o n a program for the county, the author wishes to express his thenkfi
to T h o m s Horaford •
ReeogziitiMi is also due the Work Projects
Administration, Project 0. P. 66-1-91-40 (W. P. 5029) for aseistame
in tabulating the data and preparing the naps and figures used in
this project.
V nrT j— rrr