Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-03-21
Why Lands in Arkansas Must Continue
 to Increase in Value.


 elements of fertility in those soils which have been long cultivated, is alarming The wheat region travels westward. Forty years ago the extreme eastern States tur- nished the best flour. The wheat crop was the most important and the yield was abun- dant. The product by the acre grew less and less every year till the culture was ai- most abandoned. The Genessee and Onta- rio country in New York then was noted for its wheat producing capacity. Forty bushels to the acre has given place to ten bushels. Then Ohio, Illinois and now Missouri, are the wheat countries. Writers in the agricultural journals published in the northern States demonstrate that farmers there cannot make five per cent. on thelr capital invested, even when their labor IS thrown in. If they return to the soil, Tn the shape of manure, what is taken from 1t in the gathered crop, then count up the ex- pense and the proceeds of the crop, it will be seen that fifteen cents a day IS the most the close and hard working farmer receives for his toll. Fifteen bushels of corn to the acre is considered a good crop. To pro- duce this, the land is highly manured and tendel with assiduty and care. The world moves westwardly, at the rate, 1t has been said, of thirty miles in year. Extraor- dinarv events, such is the discovery of gold in California, or the spirit of speculation may hasten this movement, but, indepen- dent of these, there is regular march to- wards the setting sun. Landslin Arkansas are new and fertile. South Arkansas IS adapted to raising the great staple. North Arkansas is grain and stock producing country. While the lands in the older States require nursing, and heavy outlays for manure expended on them, to make them yield even a meagre crop, the fresh lands of the west need none of these to pro- duce abundantly. Twenty years ago, a field of wheat was not to be seen in week. ride through the State. Now we have fine Touring mills with steam or water power, with all the late improvements in machine " for making the finest four Patent reapers, thrashers and other implements are to be found in every neighborhood. Still more, outside of the State the flour with the Van Buren, Fayetteville, Clarksville and Batesville brands is in demand and com mands the highest prices. North Arkansas is already wheat exporting country.- There are thousands upon thousands of acres of land that may be obtained by actu al settlers, at from twelve and a half cents to dollar and quarter an acre, capable of producing fine crops of wheat, oats, rye and other grains. We do not know if buckweat has ever been tried in this State, but suppose it would be successful. Peaches, apples, pears, plums, aprlcots, and other fruits grow finely Nothing pays the far mer better and with less labor than good orchard. These are being planted all over the State, and we are glad to be able to say that one of the finest nurseries in the United States, covering a thousand acres, will be established in Arkansas, where acclimated fruits and flowers, trees and shrubs, will be supplied to our farmers. The grape grows finely and as for sheep pastures our hills and prairies are unrivalled. The country is rapidly filling up and with the popula- tion comes demand for land
 The Memphis and Little Rock railroad
 is fixed fact The Napoleon and Pine Bluff road will be built in two years The Ouachita and Red River road is making progress and its friends assure us 1t will be completed The Little Rock and Fort Smith road has let out contract to grade part of it, and finally the Cairo and Full ton road, though often deferred, yet pro mises to be built. These roads, all possi- ble and some certain, will enhance the value of lands all over the State.
 Ten years ago we knew owners of lands refuse to pay taxes on them and let them be sold for non-payment of taxes. These same lands cannot be bought to-day for ten dollars an acre. At one time the State had thousands of tracts ofland which she offer ed to donate to actual settlers, and these re- mained in her possession except that, now and then, an applicant appeared. Now, there is not tract of donation land on the Auditors books. The so called seminary lands, being those selected by the State under an act of Congress granting lands for seminary purposes, are all sold So of the 300, ,00O acres granted for purposes of internal improvement, of which few tracts only remain.
 The land offices in the different districts are crowded from morning till night and the country is filled with persons seeking locations for a home. Of course specula- tOlo blO DuSy anu tIC udhliS IOl Ever and anon one meets croaker or a wiseacre, who tells US that lands cannot keep up, that a reaction must take place, or that land at twenty or thirty dollars an acre will not pay. There is one view of the subject these men have not taken. We propose to submit it. If an acre of land will yield forty dollars worth of corn or cotton and you subtract from that twenty dollars for the labor and ten dollhrs for manure, to repay for the exhaustion of the soil, we have net profit of ten dollars This is the interest on a hundred dollars. Therefore, the acre of land is worth a hun dred dollars. In Europe, where money can be had at four or five per centum, they will willingly invest in land at three per centum, because of It's permanent security. Thus, we see the mountains terraced up to the re- gions of perpetual snow, and on these pla- teaus so elevated that wheeled vehicles can not be brought to them, but where every