The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1854-01-05

the questions With his coat off, diving right into his
subject without any useless circunlocnion. But
persons could put questions in as few words:-
HAMrsHIRE County, v,RG,SIA,l
Nov. 80, 1853.
DEAR SrR:--I have an idea Of gong to the Ter
ritory Of Minnesota, il find cut what sort Of
country il is. l want to know il the Territory is
healthy, and hat kind of disease is most prevalent
and how the country is watered, iii they spring.
well, cistern water for house use, and what kind
of water 1t is,-if the climate is regular chaneca
ble,-what kinds OF fruits Can be RAISED, iii apples,
peaches, &C., have been tried the nature Of the
soil,-what kinds Of grain can lie rascd,--and state
the locality Of the counry.if level or rolling. or
swampy,--if the timber is plenty not, and what
kinds OF mber,what time The winter breaks in the
spring and in, in the fa-whcther there is much
rain not, and what time il falls the most If there
are heavy SHOWS not,--if there is regular steam
boat nav CATION to ST. Paul from ST. Louis, and what
the cost of passage.
Ii yon will answer these enquiries, strange friend,
you " i'll obge. Yours, -.
We will endeavor to answer the enquiries Of the
gentleman, in the order they prorounded.
This is of the healthiest countries in the world,
the two Drug Stores in ST. Paul keep ,re,entres
for all diseases and the Doctors throughout the Terri
terry keep constant watch over the inhabitants and
at The first symptom of disease, a preventive is ad
ministcred. The Doctors are liable TO fine f they
allow a of sickness TO occur in their Dstrict.-
The only disease prevalent is from natural causes and
is the result Of vacuum in the pericanium, directly
behind the fronts. 1t is confined TO immig grant
politicians, and partially off the patient be-
comes accmatcd, and completes the cutting Of his
cye-teeth.
great deal Of the country is watered by the Mis-
sssipp and its tributaries, and by lakes Of diff
fercnt sizes distributed throughout the Territory
Spring, we'll and cstern is used iniscrimnatc-
y in the various sections of the Territory as the one
the other is most convenient, but we do not know
of single house where all three kinds are used at
the same time,- St. Paul the inhabitants nvaria-
lily river water when no other can be had. 1t is
its natural state taken from the stream and is puri
fed with potato whisky for general USE but not for
culinary purposes. The in this Territory is OF
two knds, hard and soft, and the water used is con-
siderei indication OF the political preferences OF
the settler. Since the letter of Secretary Guthrie
Collector Brunson, the lands in the river bottoms,
well as cisierns and casks for holding rain water
have advanced in price and in great demand
in the Territory. Fruit such as crab apples, wild
plums acorns, haws, choke-chcrries, pembina, bull
berries gooseberries, and geese without berries grow
in great abundance. Our apple orchards look well,
but young to bcar,-Pressley generally raises
few peaches somewhere in the early part of the fall
and those that would raise them from him must have
the dimes TO do it with. Our soil is naturally very
it has remained in The same condition since
the earliest recollection OF the " oldest inhabi,an'
until within few years it has been considerably dis
tubed, and shows signs of turning over, in many
places. Wheat, corn, oats, barley and wild rice, can
be raised in Minnesota, in great abundance and Il
rye whisky had not become questionable, there is
no doubt but this might have become great rye
growing Territory. All the grains and roots,
and also cabbage and tobacco vii! grow here in great
abundance, with half the labor will in Virginia,
and be worth twice much to the farmer The To-
cality Of this Territory is central it could
well have been made. Ii is about the distance
from the mouth Of the Columbia that is from the
mouth Of the St. Lawrence, is eqni-disant between
the lshmus of Panama and that Of Boothia, about
central between the Fegec Islands and the oi
Norway, and also between Behring's Sraghts and
the CAPE de Verde Islands 1T i, not quite level, ard
we have observed it rolling although are
told it actually docs roll over almost every twenty four
hours. No swamps are 10 he found on our dry pra-
ries, and where they in the timber, they in
varabIy surrounded by dry land Timber is very
abundant in tho woods and not on the praircs. This
Territory produces all kinds of useful timber, from
pine saw-log to a hoop-pole. We have never seen
the winter break nor the spring set, and cannot say
what time such things occur. The quantity of rain
in this Territory is governed very much by the
of the atmosphere for the time being, generally falls
most in vet weather. Our usually falls in win
ter, and rises in the spring and summer,-it is not
considered heavier than that OF Virginia. There is
regular and uninterrupted steam Dat navigation be-
tween here and ST. Louis from the l5h of April un-
I'll the Goth of November, an averagc,-neNt sum
there will probably be three four daily lines Of
steamers to and from St. Paul, connecting with The
different railroad lines TO the south and east and with
the Pembna Dog Trains to the north and west. The
passage from ST. Louis TO this place varies from two
to fifteen dollars, according to the amount of money
YOU have on hand, and the humor Of the Captain Of
west, would respectfully refer you to the Pembna
Delegation.
TERRITORIAL AGRIcULTURAL SOCIETY,"
Yesterday the Delegations from the various County
Agricultural Societies, we'll many influential
citizens, from various portions Of the Territory, met
at the capitol, and organized Territorial Asricutu-
ra. Society. The members are much more numer-
GUS than anticipated, and consis, principally Of
men practically acquainted with agricultural pursuits.
1t is well understood fact, that the formation of
Agricultural Societies has done much in dssemna-
ting agricultural know ledge, and promoting the agri-
cultural interests Of our country, MS well as that OF
many European States, and it is with feelings Of pride
and qualification the strides tina. Minnesota is
making for the promotion Of her agricultural interests,
and the devele pmen, o. her agricultural resources.
Much good has already been effected in many of
the counties, BY the formation Of local societies, and
we hope to see every county with well organized
and efficient County Society. This Territorial Soci.