The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-01-05
MINNESOTA PION FER
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.
Thursday. January 5. 1854.
Agriculture.

Five Years ago there probably not over 800
acres Of land under cultivation within the present
limits Of the Territory, il except the patches that
were cultivated BY the Indians, those connected
with the Indian trade the military forts there
are some portions Of the Territory where there
continuous farms for miles in extent; and in
some of the counties grain has been raised far cx-
ceedin, in quantity the demand Of the inhabitants.
In 1850, according the returns, there were
5,035 acres Of improved lands in the Territory, at
this time, there doubtless far from 10 to IL 600
acres Of land under Improvement, and the quantity
powed and fenced, ready for cuivat o, reSt spring
is equal that amount and that will probably
than double during the present year.
Gov German. in address before the Benton
County Agricultural Society short time since, gave
the agricultural products Of the Territory, Obtained
by him from the best and most authentic sources, to
be- Of Wheat 3j to 40 900 bushels IL 900 Of which
raised in Benton County. Oats 10000 bush
els, Corn $4,000 bushels, Potatoes 100000 bushels,
Turnips and Rutatagos 300, 900 bushels.
The value Of this crop, according the estimate Of
the Governor, viz.--for Wheat Scots, Oats Scots,
Corn 81, Potatoes 25cts., Turnips and Ruta Bagos
20cts., per bushe would amount to about S277 900.
This amount although small in itself is large for
this Territory, and shows clearly the Importance Of
agricultural persui,s and shadows forth the immense
agricultural wealth TO which Minnesota must attain
when the farming portions Of the Territory shall be
occupied and the soil brought under thorough cul-
tivation
We have several occasions referred 10 the pro-
ductiveness Of our soil, and its adaptation to The
growth of Wheat, Oats, Corn, Barley, Sc, and we
are well aware that the impression prevails to a
great extent, that The soil and climate Of Mime
no, adapted to the growth ofether Wheat or Corn.
This subject which Gov German in the address
referred to, speaks a, ensh and much regret that
our space viii not permit us to publish his remarks
entire as he has taken much interest in the subject
and has taken pains inform himself in relation to
it, We extract from the address as foIlow,:-
WHEAT.-Thc climate and soil are well adapt
ed to the growth Of This cereal. The average crop
is from Is to 80 bushels the acre. Some ten OF
fifteen persons have shown specimens If Mime
sofa Wheat, AS bright. clear, and heavy is grown
any where in the United States.
OAIS.-.No nart Oh ms continent can raise BET
Oats, DOR more be produced to the acre than
in Minnesota. They sell readily for from so to 60
cents per bushe and the produce is from so to 60
bushels TO the acre.
"CoRN.--Numerous farmers have given me the
estimate Of their Germ Crops in 1858, and the gener-
al average is fifty bushels TO the acre. Il, commands
dollar per bnsho at the turner's door, and ready
sale Indeed no crop is safer natures better in
this latitude than Corn if properly cultivated =
"Of the varieties best adapted TO III Innate it
may be well TO say word The Gold Sioux or
N, .,nern Yellow Flint, the Eight Y ed Yellow,
the Canada early White, the 7. ora, the White
Flour. ard the Rhode Island lite Flint, may be
considered the safest and lest. Indeed all kinds
seems to come to maturity with full Perfect grain,
where the experiment has been properly tried
"RYE.-The farmers have not commenced grow
ing this grain to any extent yet, although 1t can
be raised quite as well as Wheat or Oats
"BrcxwHEAT-Thisg grain has hccn grown con-
siderably in this Territory and is receiving the at
ten'ion Of the farmers, particularly in the beautiful
valley Of the Minnesota.
IRISH PoTAroEs-I need only say that the
best and richest favored Potatoes are produced,
and more to the acre in Minnesota than any part of
this continent California boasts Of the size of her
Irish Potaoe-in this she may exec! this Territory
bu, am disposed to doubt it exceedingly. 1t is
stated to me on the most reliable authority, that
persons have produced this year 400 bushels
to the acre. So abundant they this fall that they
sell for Is and 80 cents Per bushel delivered in ST.
Paul.
'' l, canno, be long before Minnesota must export
large Quantities Of Potatoes to the southern northern
and eastern markets. The Potatoe Of Minnesota
is hardy, less liable to rot and cheaper in its
cost of production than in any part of this conicder.
acy. The rot has not as YET, to any extent, made
Its appearance IN Minnesota, do we think il will
Our soil is loose, sandy loom, which warns quick
"r, and pushes forward vegetation faster than clay
soil. In this regard nature has adapted all things
wisely, to the climate and wants Of man. As an
evidence OF the wonder I rapidity with which vege-
tables grow in this soil and climate, a gentleman
present planted Lettuce and Radishes on the lst
day oJune last, and them on bis table on the 18th
day OF the same month.
enormous size. ! saw one measuring 70 inches in
circumference. and sitting by was large barrel ef
them, less than 7, 8 and inches in circumfer.
encr. The quantity raised The acre have not
been able to ascertain; yet it must he enormous,
Judging from the quantity produced in few scattered
beds in gardens.
"TURSIPs.-No section of this continent can
boast Of larger, better favored or greater Weld to
the acre than Minnesota. This vegetable, and its
next Of kind, the Rua Bagos, j, produced in large
quantities, and fed to cattle and other stock.
g Beets. Cabbage, Lettuce, Radishes, Tomatoes,
CELERY, Strawberries, Cucumherr, Water MELONS,
Musk MELONS, Beans, Peas, Pumpkins, Squashes,
all grow uxurianty and mature we'll in our soil and
climate, each delicious taste and favor, rs any
where to be found in any Of the lower ATTITUDES.
FRUIr.-As yet Minnesota cannot have bearing
fruit trees, for hut yesterday it were, the land
that is now yielding it's ric! harvests and supplying
the wants Of man, was the home Of the native chill
dren Of the forest and praire-bu, this will not long
con,inue--our cntcrprising sons of New E,oI,,d