The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-08-15

seem bent on better pursuits than striving to speculate
a town into existence. Mr.. O. F. Clark's oat field near by
was a marvel of production, and his hay crop at winch
we found him busy, promised well to give us a good
supply Of butter aud cheese, and probably aid the beef
market. We had many interesting incidents along the
road we met a young man sitting by his twelve feet
cabin smoking away, around him the evidence of his
industry on his well cultivated farm he told us he was
Young and poor, but thanked God that he had his farm
clear of every encumbrance: as though a man could be
poor and own a farm in this lovely vale. A group in
another field tried to confound us by all calling them
selves Isaacs-they We're all frank open-countenanced
young fellows, and were energetically employed in Sc
curing an immense field of grain, which no doubt will
feed others of the patronynic. MIR. Samuel Dunn,
whom next we met, stated that only three years ago he
had this Whole region to pick his farm from, and his lot
is an enviable one certainly. Some regret was expressed
that government had so early brought this land into
market; it would all have been taken up and occupied
by settlers long ago but a great part was bought by
spectators with ayidity, as soon as offered, so that fam
iiss are too remote to maintain schools as they are anx-
ious to do. 1t would be an object, we think, for eastern
emigrants to purchase from the spectators at their own
prices, and yet be gainers-not only because OF the
richness and beauty of the country, but also because of
the class whose society they will here enioy-they are
noble hearted intelligent, and active in forwarding every
good work. It would be safer than going into the wilds
and running tie risk Of chance society.
Lakevile will always maintain a celebrity from the
macnifcenec Of the sheet of water that gives the place
It's name it would no doubt compare favorably with
the much .lauded lakes Of Switzerland. The town is
on the edge Of the prairie, and through it runs an i'm
portant road much travelled but notwithstanding its
advantages, it has but sorry accommodations for the
weary traveller. Wood claims are here held very high.
Mr.. F.. 7. Anderson, the owner ofone, said he rated his
at thirty dollars an acre-quite a nice return on a short
investment of some two hundred dollars on 100 acres.
Land appears but ordinary from this point until nearing
Union Lake, where it is very fertile, but it is a different
matter to cultivate such timber land from the prairie
over which We had Just passed. Here we had an excel
den was a rare treat to behold green corn, turnips,
potatoes, in rich profusion and tomatoes which will
ripen in 4 few warm days. His corn must have be-
come ripe enough to eat in about two months from the
planting. Near by, we found Il town just laid out on an
excellent spot, where those who desire to reap the first
advantages will find extra opportunities in the induce
ments here offered. 1t has a saw mill, store, blacksmith
shop, and hotel ; it is named Millersburgh, after the
proprietor, G.. W. Miller, Esq, a fine specimen of the
western pioneer. 1t must grow rapidly, we think.
We now passed on to Faribault through a wooded
district, occasionally passing some excellent farms. Mr..
Allison IlOuCKS lily HiCauON IL uS ljCu dS jill tuH IoIC
to see. He has tried farming in various parts of the
West, in this country only has he found immunity from
the plague of western ~life,-billious fevers. He and
his family know how to appreciate the excellence of our
climate. His interesting history we learned while
waiting a passing shower to blow over. After emerging
from the wood we came upon the farm of G. c. button,
which consists of $40 acres, on one field of grain ten
| persons with three harvesting machines were employed
four days in securing it. altogether it must take the
palm. Our course after this was homeward, after en-
toying the excellent hospitality of the Faribault House,
kept by Mr.. II. Nutting, assisted by his gentlemanly
assistant, Mr.. Humphreys.
Almost the same rich sights of bounteous harvests
greeted US on orr hasty return home. We expected to
| have learned of some depredations Of the grasshopper, as
its appearance had been heralded in the region over
which we passed but all we learned was that it had
;ndes 1itsn w sa@a / s atp9@iiss fns ssm ns . distance ss..s south, but au.s So
and it would have rctreatcd as we advanced.
We passed through the beautiful and clean looking
town of Northfeld, after leaving Cannon City, crossing
the Cannon river there, on our road to Waterford and
Lewiston, all ofwhich places have good prospects of grow
ing up; every where up this valley we beheld the busy
activity among the teeming fields that we had heretofore
met but somewhat oftener.
At Hampton we saw the first field of Timothy grass
in our trip, on the farm of J. NJ. Bell he was cult
waiting it more from convenience than from any supcri.
GRITTY over the prairie grass the latter grows too light
except on bottom lands. On this farm we also noticed
a superior barley field. The soil improves apparently af-
ter leaving the river.
On returning home we received from Henry CaIetf a
few heads of wheat taken from his farm by the side
Of ordinary heads it stands full double in size, and as
a sample, shows that he understands how to develope
the richness of his farm to the best advantage. We
should not fear any trouble about enjoying some of the
excellent things that it will be made into the coming
autumn.
Taken altogether the indications are, that not only
is there is a rich yield Of all the necessaries Of life i'll
this region but that it reaches to an indefinite extent
beyond. In Il few years all the farmers will attain to
wealth and influential position, but they will look back
with satisfaction on the " Harvest Home " of 1857
Pre-cmpsfng Lands in Minnesota.
There seems to be some doubt in regard to the work