Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-05-10
AGRICULTURAL.
Settling on Public Lands.

In general answer to many special inquI-
ries, we state the following facts
L. The larger portion of the unimproved
uncultvated soil of the I nited States, in
Guiding nearly all that of the States Of
Nebraska Nevada and Oregon, as also of al
the Territories, is still the property of the
Federal Union, and is known as the Public
Domain.
, While much of this Domain is sterile
rocky. mountainous, and thus unfi: for cul-
tivatiOn, a large proportion is facile and ex-
cellent including tn Jusands of square miles
which, being treeess and very thinly erased
hav, been accounted desert, but which prove
quite productive when reclaimed by irriga-
tiOn.
g. As a general rule, any part of this Do
main not already granted to or occupied by
private owners is open to settlement by any
one He who - SOU ITS . on tract to which
he has no title is regarded holding 1t by
PreenpfI3u. lie Is Of course liable to be, but
seldom Is, dispossessed by a bona tide pur-
chaser.
4. The Government profers quarter sec
ton 100 acres) to any one who settles upon
a tract to which no adverse title or claim ex-
lists. erects habitation, and lives on it for
five years lie has to pay for the papers and
legal fcrmalities required about $50 in all.
This is called making Homestead.
;. Congress has from time To time made
extensive grants Of land to States and compa-
mics in aid Of the instruction of Railroads
throug the public domain. These grants
are usually Of alternate sections Tor square
miles) for a cert lin distance on either side OF
the projected railroad.
g. The alternate sections reserved by the
Government are doubled in price and he
who settles on these and procet DIS to acquire
a home under the Homestead act is allo wed |
but agility instead of the usual 100 acres.
:. The general price of the Public Lands |
is 81 25 per acre, or 5000 for l60 acres The |
alternate sections reserved by the Govern
ment along the lines of railroads are held at
double price, OF $3.50 per acre.
s The railroad companies generally charge I
more for heir alternate sections /; but, as the |
Government land is held at 81 50 per acre, /
and eighty acres Of it may be acquired by |
settlement for less than $50, the Govern |
ment's sections are likely to have the prefer |
euce.
.. 1t il decidedly advisable that those v no !
have means should bug their lands, either OF /
the Government or the railroads. 1t pre-
cludes all controversy as to the due perform
ance Of the Homestead requirements, gives an
instant and perfect title, and enables the
owner to sell and convey, 20 and come, lease
or rent, without peril of creating an adverse
title or invalidating his own.
10 College Scrip is extensively used in
purchasing by those whJ wish to ecOnOmize.
Congress, ten years or more ago, granted to
each State quantum of Public Lands pro
portioned 20 It's representation in that body,
in aid of education IN agriculture and the
useful arts. College Scrip represents these
grants, and is generally prucurable by settlers
at 81 per acre. In large quantities, it is SOLD
somewhat lower. A warrant or scrip calling
for a quarter-section will buy 100 acres but
it Will not buy eighty acres of the reserved
alternate sections along line of railroad
OF these reserved sections, 100 acres can be
bought IN one tract with $500 in cash and
one I60-acre warrant OF scrip. With this
excep N, preemptors can always use Col
lege Scrip IN paying for Government (not
Railroad Company's) lands but spectators
who buy or hold scrip in large quantities
arc not allowed to locate more than three
sections tor square miles) Of that scrip many
one township, This is to prevent the monoP-
oIizing Of large tracts by means of scrip
With cash, any quantity may be purchased
of Government at the foregoing rates.
IL. No one can legally locate, whether
with cash or serbia quarter-sectIon actually
IN the possession, by legal occupancy and
residence, of a settler, though be has not
paid and does not mean to pay for it. But
tins principle does not apply to the alternate
sections granted to railroads, which DO not
recognize Pr'eu ptions.
l.. A qIarter-section Of Public Lands Is
not necessarily q regular quarter Of some
designated section, but may be made up of
two eighties or four fort:es forming one com
pact body, though these were parts of differ
ent quarter sections technically considered.
such is the substance of the laws and reg
ulations governing the acquisition of Public
Lands BY Individuals, as we understand them
We trust this compilation answers most OF
the questions addressed to us whereto we are
unable to give special replies Tribune.