The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-07-11
The Granary Of the World.

CHANGING at the map, with the naviga-
BILE waters of the Mississippi Valley, over
10000 miles in extent, before us, consti-
tuting the farm, the granary of the |
world, we are reminded that, from |
the standpoint of century, there |
was wide expanse of trackless |
wilderness behind the narrow fringe of |
white settlements which bordered the |
Atlantic-that the thirteen colonies have |
swelled into thirty States and Ter |
ritories, and capitals which may vie with |
many of the Old World now dot the land |
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Among
the grand results Of the system of small
proprietary interests founded by the
appropriation of the public lands by act |
ual settlers in small tracts, in considera-
ton of a nominal sum of moneY-has
been the erection of an empire which
may properly be termed the region of
cereals, embracing the States of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon-
sin, on the east Of the Mississippi River;
and Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas,
Nebraska and the Territory Of Dakota
on the West. This vast region, in cx-
tent. surpasses the united area of the
British Islands, France, Belgium, Hol-
land, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland
and Italy, embracing 749, 372 square miles.
The region of cereals embraces ISL ,736
square miles, or 481 LOG, 9O8 acres, of
which 327, 789,788 acres lie on the west
side of the Mississippi River. The total
population of this region is, in round
numbers, 1000 ,000 nearly 10,000,0 900 of
which are on the east side of the great
river. Compared with the same extent
of territory in the most thickly-settled
portions of Europe, the cereal region is
capable of accommodating population
of at least 150,0OO,0O0 souls.
Within the limits of Ohio our public
land system was inaugurated. Only a
few isolated tracts now remain at the dis
posal of the General Government The
present value of the farms of Ohio is
plements and machinery is $25 ,692, 900,
ana the live stock is worth $l5o.ooo'ooo.
Public lands have disappeared from n
diana, and the value of the farming uten-
sils, etc, of that State has reached $18,-
100000, and the cash value of the farms
Is estimated at $3.50, 100000. The results
of q progress of little more than half
century are summed up in true gold
value of 1900, 100000. The cash value
Of the farms of illinois is placed at
$92O,506, 346, and of agricultural tools and
machinery, $35,000,00O. The climate of
Illinois presents variety of temperature,
while its natural communications en-
brace lake and river navigation of
nearly 1000 miles. The commerce of the
State has reached magnificent proper
tons. It's railroad tonnage is worth at least
$3.50, 100000, and its leading city, Chi.
cago, exports annually 100, 100000 bushels
of grain. Michigan's farms are valued at
$398, 24O, 578 and its farm implements and
machinery, $13,711, 800. Less than one
fourth Of the State is still occupied by
farms, and less than one-eighth has been
brought under cultivation. In addition
to its cereal crop, the wool, lumber,
and ore of Michigan reach hand
some figure. Commercially, the State has
1,4O0 miles of lake navigation along its
shores, and water communication with
Internal trade. Michigan has still many
acres of public land, as also has Wiscon-
sin, whose public lands originally EN-.
braced BASIL 800 acres. Only onc-seventll
of the whole area of the State is now un-
der cultivation. Missouri reveals to the
agriculturist regions of the greatest fer
tility, while to the miner wide range of
mineral products is accessible Less than
100000 acres of public lands remain to
be disposed Of Iowa is a phenomenon
among the new States west of the Missis-
sippi, and one of the leading in the cereal
region. The cash value of its farms, en-
bracing 100000 acres, is placed at $685.
100000 The State possesses greater nat
ural advantages for crop-raising than
Minnesota. Its wheat is said to be the
choicest raised in the cereal region, and
commands the highest price at Chicago,
and the flour made from it is worth more
than any other flour in the New York or
Boston IN 'e"t. Minnesota has Just en-
tered upon che second era of it's glorious
existence. Kansas is also phenomenal
State, and is destined to become an en-
pire. That portion of 1t which was once
called the Great American DESERT has
become one OF the most productive
regions of the great West. Nebraska
although in its infancy, is young giant
The grazing region of the State com
prises $4,000, 900 acres Dakota has vet
over 100000 acres undisposed of, and
so rapidly has migration passed into the
Territory that the public surveys have
failed to keep pace with the advancing
column of settlers.
A glance at the characteristics of the
States embracing the great cereal region
of America will show vast geographical
and social differences, strengthened by
variety and rivalry, but all blended, bal
ahced and unified, each State cxcrting an
influence peculiar to ITSELF but a fra
tsrnal sentiment permeating all. The
ten States enumerated, planted owe,
an area exceeding 10000 square
miles, present to our view the magic
creations of pioneer energy inclosed
within perennial frame, nor is that pic.
neer energy yet crushed or emasculated
The official statistics pertaining to the
cereal region present brilliant problems
for the study of progressive statisticians
The following figures, obtained from Of
fetal sources, will show the grain pro
duction of the cereal region under or
binary conditions. Of course, the volume
of production can be increased to an al
most indefinite extent We give. the
bushels OF wheat, corn and oats raised
in 1872:
STATES. Wheat. Corn. Oats.