The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-01-14
Correspondents Of the Ninnesotian.
Wheat Rsisi~s In Iswa and Minnesota.

DAVENPORT, 1OWay Leu. 81, oS'
MEssRs EDIroRs:-There has been very much
said about the advantages Of this lower coun-
try-that is, Iowa and Illinois, over Minnesots
for Agricultural purposes. and having occasion
to spend the winter below" embrace the
opportunity to compare +" notes." 1t is not my
design to make any invidious comparisons but
merely to give few stubborn facts. 1t has ev-
er been my opinion that our Territory would
fare well enough if letter writers-and even
Editors sometimes-would not indulge IN such
exaggerated statements, but confne Themselves
more to setting forth facts and figures.
1t must be apparent to every thinking person
that the real prosperity of Minnesota, will do
pend upon her agricultural resources more than
any thing else The last three years have prov
ed to the world that our Territory is peculiarly
adapted to farming operations. and what Is more
worthy of consideration, is that farming pays
better than it does in most parts Of the West,
paving better hereafter.
1t is often said that We cannot produce %
much per acre in Minnesota as they can here
and in many parts of the West. We have gen.
orally admitted this without much argument.
but contended that the profit from an acre Of
almost any kind of produce would be most de-
cidedly in favor of Minnesota. Now, Messrs
Editors, am persuaded that most Of us have
been mistaken. In comparing my "notes"
find the difference in the quantity usually pro-
duced on our "poOr. sandy SOIL is more in
our favor than otherwise. A residence of more
than three years has afforded an ample oppor-
tunity, without the aid of the Ramsey COun-
ty Agricultural Society,"" ! may say, to learn
something of the amount Of most kinds Of grain
and vegetables produced per acre.
The conclusion to which l have come is, that
Minnesota is entitled to the premium for wheat
and most kinds Of vegetables. OF the former
We can raise more per acre and that too Of q
better quality than is generally raised in Iowa
and Illinois. This is saying good deal but
have not the statistics furnished through the
medium OF our papers and the Benton County
Agricultural Society afforded sufficient proof.
The past season has doubtless furnished stron-
ger argument still.
While on my way to this place, stopped .
short time at Point Douglass, where gained
a few facts with regard to farming operation in
that vicinity on the Prairie" The amount OF
wheat raised per acre was really astonishing,
particularly TO the farmers in this direction
Mr.. S. II. Craig, known in st. Paul Us the for
mer Teacher at the Episcopal Mission, hos COM
menced farm on the Wisconsin side Of Lake
st. Croix, upon which he raised over fifty bush
els of ,rheat per acre. Mr.. Campbell informed
me that many large fields in the vicinity of PIT.
Douglass would average torty.fve bushels per
acre. This good yield certainly for spring
wheat, without manure or erfra culture. Thir-
per acre L tuluk Will Uc COublUeIeU
small yield in Minnesota for 1853.
On arriving at this place 1 made some enqui-
ry about the wheat crop in this vicinity, and
found that fifteen and f,centy bushels per acre,
is a common yield Another fact too is wor-
thy of consideration which is, that here and in
Illinois, spring wheat is often total failure
while in Minnesota it seems to be q sure crop.
Winter what doubtless will not fail as often in
Minnesota, where the ground is usually cover
ed with snow, as it does here.
Corn will probably yield better here than in
Minnesota. but not SO much as is generally sup
posed. 1t seems quite strange to outsiders that
the large kind of corn can be grown away up
in that hyperborean region. Yet. Mr.. Selby
has shown that it can be done. BY the way,
Messrs. Editors, can you not ASCERTAIN how
much that " tall corn " everybody so much adj
mired, has turned out per acre: suppose,
however, we shall have facts in abundance ere
long through the medium of Territorial Ag-
rcultural Society. This is as it should be. for
the st. Paul Editors have enough to do without
being compelled to 60 about the country in
search of statistics for publication especially,
when the farmers take SO little pains to know
how much they raise per acre. l.. F.