Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-06-27
Minnesota Correspondence.
M1NNEApo1rs. Mimi. June u, 1857

her past career, by the enormous figures
OF her wheat production and export,
given in census returns and commercial
reviews, as well as by the accounts of
wonderful cures OF consumption, pro-
duced by her climate.
To satisfy TO some extent the demand
OF your readers for further Information,
will be the object of this, and perhaps
one or two more letters.
Minnesota is the largest State in the
Union east Of the Rocky Mountains. At
the head.springs OF the three great rlv-
ers of the continent-the Mississippi, the
| St. Lawrence with its chain of mighty
lakes) and the Red river OF the North
1t has unsurpassed facilities for the dis
tribution OF products to all parts Of the
world.
Its history has been checkered. In
1858 the Indian title to the lands west
Of the Mississippi was extinguished and
until 1857 the immigration was meal
culably great. Cities and villages
sprung up In day. Fabulous fortunes
were made In year. But the growth
was speculative. The bubble burst,and
though it ruined thousands, it estab-
lished business on sound basis. It's
progress has since been steady and rapid,
checked again in 1852 by the exagger-
ated horrors of our Indian war. The
population is now 100000, and will be
increased to 400, 900 this year.
One cause of the rapid growth OF the
State is the natural division of the sur
face-so favorable to farmers-into tim
Der and prairie. A farmer, the first year
OF his settlement, is able to break up all
the land he can cultivate. The home
stead act gives 100 acres to actual set
tiers. The beautiful lakes and streams,
iringed with woods or embroidered with
grassy slopes, render the scenery charm
ing. In each township two sections OF
public land (twelve hundred and eight
acres) are set apart for permanent
school fund, and cannot be sold for less
than five dollars per acre. Sometimes
they bring fifty dollars per acre, or up
wards, as was the case with the school
section opposite st. Cloud last fall. 1t
is estimated the school fund OF Mime
sofa will ultimately be twenty millions
OF dollars There are upwards of 300
miles OF railroad in operation in the
State, and doubtless one hundred miles
more will be in use the coming season.
The export OF surplus wheat from the
State in 1866 exceeded 10000 900 bush
els. This shows remarkable growth
in agriculture in State which had no
surplus until 1859.
Corn, oats and other grains are raised
abundantly, but the greater profit OF the
wheat crop prevent these articles from
figuring in the exports.
Wool, furs, lumber and potatoes are
the other principal products exported at
present, all showing large surplus and
adding thereby to the wealth 0. the
State. Fruits are being raised success.
fully, but great quantities are annually
imported.
Minnesota's grass, clad prairies are
well adapted for the raising OF stock.
The cold, dry air also renders them
healthy and strong, and they suffer less
from the steady cold than from the
drenching rains and chilly air Of a more
southern climate. No rain falls here in
the winter. We have light SHOWS, which
keep the ground covered from the first
of December until March, so that wheels
are dispensed with and the bells and the
merry voices in the sleighs are all that
is heard. Gladly would you in the
Southern States exchange your mud for
the snow and 120 days of sleighing. All
kinds OF domestic animals thrive here
carefully housed, as they ought to be In
any country.
The sheep is naturally an inhabitant
of the North, where he escapes those
diseases caused by his heavy coat in the
CCAbus ~ tHab uCIC WOOI-SlOH NY is
one OF the first sources of wealth.
immigration is pouring in this spring
beyond all calculation. Every variety
of covered wagons, filled with the house
hold go DDS of the hardy pioneer, includ- |
ing wife and children, are strung along |
our prairies, all going northward and |
westward. The choice lands are being !
rapidly taken, and the settlers OF few
years ago are gaining riches, both by
the rise in prices of property and big
prices Of produce.
The State has issued a manual of in
formation concerning the resources of
MINNESOTA, which may be had free by
addressing the Secretary Of State, Grant
Hewett, AZ st. Paul CASTLE.