The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-05-26
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY "a, 1855
Dakota Csaaty--Pregress Of Improvement
1aastinGs and fits Environs.


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Dakota csasty--Pregress Of IMPROVEMENT
Hastings and its Envirens.
We stole some thirty hours from editorial
duties the early part of the present week, to
recreate through the heart Of Dakota County as
far as the prosperous village and neighborhood
OF Hastings Taking the road from Mendoza
down. we have seen no portion of the West
Side" that has been more rapidly settled and
improved since the extinguishment of the Sioux
title, little less than three years ago. We 6nd.
from the point of reaching the summit Of I" Pr
lot Knob /" all the way along the road to the
Falls OF the Vermillion, succession of farm
improvements that would grace the landscape
OF much earlier settled portions of the Terrific
~. We were never out of sight of large fields
substantially fenced, plowed and planted, or
being prepared for planting; fine crops of
growing grain already concealing with its
spring verdure the soils surface; substantial
farm houses erected on almost every quarter
section, and surrounded apparently with all the
essential comforts calculated to make agreea-
BILE and contented the inmates of that most in
dependent abode on earth-the home of the
American farmer.
Down upon the extensive table lands of Da-
kota County, after leaving the Cannon river
road on the way to Hastings, there are'some
several new farms opened--the first breaking
OF which was done only last year-that would
do credit to any portion Of the West much
older in agricultural years. The drought does
not appear to have materially affected the
wheat on those prailies. 1t is growing luxuri-
antly, and promises a most abundant harvest.
And we were pleased to find so large quanti-
ty OF this essential element of the /" staff OF
life y coming prosperously forward In the
distance of twenty miles, We must have passed
a. least 1900 acres of wheat in sight of the
road These prairics are mostly level; the soil
deep and strong. with clay sgbsoil; and it
would seem that with all the dry weather OF
the season, the moisture is not yet nearly suf-
fclently absorbed to retard the growth of the
first crop planted upon the upturned roots OF
the native sward. The grass itself upon the
unbroken prairie does not appear to stand the
drought nearly as we'll as the wheat and oats
The farming region Immediately surrounding
Hastings is one of the Edens of Minnesota
Viewing it three years ago-whcn there was
scarcely en- improvement upon it-and now.
creates all the difference to the eye that is ap-
parent in the transition from dreary waste
| to highly cultivated garden. The farmers who
have there settled are not content with mud;
dau5ed cabins and brush fences. They have
already their mansions, neatly finished, aud
painted. and beautifully shaded lawns in front;
their substantial barns and out-houscs, and
their fields protected by enclosures that will
stand the test of wear and weather for the next
ten years. All this is in region where the ii
tie to the soil is but now passing from the Gov
eminent 10 the people.
Hastings is improving rapidly. There is no
other village on the Sioux Purchase that is 90,
ing ahead with more certainty of decided sue
cess in the future. We counted some dozen
new buildings in progress, and thrice that num-
der would be under way but for that universal
obstacle to building in all parts of the Terrific
ry this scason--the want of lumber. At no
point along the river has a larger number OF
immi grants debarkcd from the boats this sea-
son than at Ha ;tings.
. Mr.. Graham's grist mill at vcrmillion Falls,
Immediately in the neighborhood of Hastings
is now in successful operation.-g ndil g when
ever there is any grain to grind.
Returning. we came into St. Paul y "Do id g
road" The "broken country" between st.
Paul and the point where this road intersects
the main road from Mendoza to the settlcme nts
south, is going ahead just about as fast as the
more inviting prairies beyond. The hazel, su-
mac and chokecherry brush and the stunted
oak "grubs" are rapidly disappearing, and
broad, undulating, cultivated fields are taking
their place. The soil turns up bountcously
rich; and for wheat and some other grains must
certainly be preferable to the smooth prairies
although it requires considerably more labor to
open farm. This land is going of to actual
settlers as fast as they can ''prove up" at the
land Office. The proximity of this portion OF
Dakota county to st. Paul, and the facilities OF
easily reaching this market, render claims along
the DOdd road desirable and valuable.
We returned home fully impressed with the
fact, that Dakota county is entirely prepared
to take her chances with any other agricultu
raj region in the Territory.