Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-08-23

afflicted with diseases Of the lungs. Persons
threatened with pulmonary complaints are here
from all parts of the Union, sent BY the advice Of
their physicians, and many have assured me that
the change has proved very beneficial. These
facts in regard to the healhfulness Of the terrific
ry are now beyond all dispute, and it will prob
ably be ever considered one of the heathiest spots
on this continent.
In regard to the soil and productions Of Min
nesota, must speak briefly, as long letters are
out of place in o newspaper. For the most part
the soil is rich sandy loan, easily worked, and
yielding heavy crops for years without apparent
deterioration. The soil is very quick, and vege-
tation seems to awaken with uncommon vigor
from its long winter sleep, so that the SHOWS have
scarcely disappeared before the prairie is covered
with grass and flowers, and the broad fields with
the young grain. Winter wheat can be grown
successfully, but spring wheat is still more GER
tain, and this is generally preferred. This present
season has been an unusually dry one, and vet l
have never seen finer looking crops oflcorn, oats,
wheat and buckwheat, than are now standing
within circuit of twenty miles around st. Paul.
And the lands in this neighborhood, though rich
when compared with those at home, by no means
equal some in the territory. The great wooded
region lying west of the Mississippi is especially
rich, not only in many varieties of hard timber,
but in the natural strength and fertility of the
soil. The crops gathered along the Crow and
Minnesota rivers are prodigious, and such as am
altogether afraid to describe. Speaking of the
territory then as a whole, the soil is undoubtedly
less rich than the deep prairie bottoms Of Illinois,
where the soil is twenty feet deep; but from the
perfect healthfulness of the country, the album
dance of wood and water and the certainty of the
crops, consider it by far preferable for the far
mer, even though mere money getting be his only
object. In all else that should influence one in
the choice of home in the far west this territory
is far superior to Illinois, Missouri or Iowa.
The beauty of the country a rolling prairie in
terspersed with oak openings, and groves of
birch, maple and hickory with springs, trout
brooks, and clear cool lakes full of fine fish
the delightful climate, perfect healthfulness and
rich soil, render it certain that Minnesota will
soon become one of the most populous of our
Western States. And her fine water power, rich
mineral beds on Lake Superior, in connection
with the activity and enterprise of her popula-
ton now pouring in from Ohio, New York, and
the New England States, give promise of her be-
coming centre Of mining and manufacturing in-
dustry.
The Government has wisely thrown open most
of the lands only to actual settlers, thus keeping
it out Of the hands of spectators, and hence it
is still in the power of such to obtain choice
farms at 81, 25 per acre. These farms, besides
being Immediately productive, will in few years,
the country settles up, so enhance in value as
as to prove in themselves fortune to the owner.
Emigrants are eagerly availing themselves of the
advantages the Territory holds out, and are pour
ing in in crowds. Two years ago there were 3d.
600 settlers, last year 10000, and at this time
there are at least 100000, and it is confidently
expected that by the fall of '57 there will be
800, 1000, and such an expectation is reasonable.
l am we'll aware that the account which have
just given of this new country may seem extrava-
giant to many of our good people in and about
Wilmington; but, after riding through the Cot
tage Grove lands and those around st. Paul,
where may be seen, farm after farm of 16O acres,
each in one compact body, every foot of which is
covered with waving grain-such sights as these
repeated day after day in whatever direction l
ride, make me confident that l do not over-rate
the character of the country or its prospects.
l have a great deal more to tell you of this
fair land, but must defer it till another letter.
j. F. II.
[*The writer precipitates Winter upon US near
ly or quite month too early. Oar beautiful
6 Indian Summer" usually extends fortnight
into November, and our lakes and rivers rarely
close before the last week of this month or the
first week in December.
Four months, or at most, four and half is the
extent of our Winters.-ED.]