Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-16
The Granary of the World.

The GTanary Of the World.
CHANGING at the map, with the nayiga-
bic 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 a century, there
was a wide eXpanse of trackless
wilderness behind the narrow fringe of
white settlements which bordered the
Atlantic-that the thirteen colonies have
swelled into thirty-seven 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
fathers-that policy which favored 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 ex-
tent, surpasses the united area Of the
British Islands, France, Belgium, Hol-
land, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland
and Italy, embracing 749, 1872 square miles
The region of cereals embraces 751, 736
square miles, or 4S1 106,908 acres, of
which 30? ,7S9,7SS acres lie on the west
side Of the Mississippi River. The total
population of this region is, in round
numbers, $4,000 900, nearly 100000 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 100000 souls.
Within the limits of Ohio our public
land system was inaugurated. Only
few isolated tracts now remain at the dis
posal Of the General Government. The
present value of the farms of Ohio is
$1O54 100000; the value of the farm i'm
PIGMENTS and machinery is $25, 900,
and the live stock is worth S150,000000
Public lands have disappeared from In
diana, and the value of the farming uten-
sis, etc, of that State has reached $1S,-
100000, and the cash value of the farms
is estimated at $230,000,000. The results
of progress of little more than half
century are summed up in a true gold
'StIoC VI tp1,COO,OUO,OOO. 1nC CASH NdlliC
of the farms of Illinois is placed at
1920, 506 ,346, and of agricultural tools and
machinery, $35000,000 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
lions. Its railroad tonnage is worth at least
$1,000 100000, and its leading city, Chi
cago, exports annually 100000 900 bushels
OF grain. Michigan's farms are valued at
S59o, 24O, 57S, and its farm implements and
machinery, $13,711 ,979. Less than one
fourth OF the State is still occupied by
farms, and less than one-eighth has been
brought under cultivation. In addition
10 us cereal crop, the WOOL lumber,
and ore of Michigan reach a hand
some figure. Commercially, the State has
I,4OO miles of lake navigation along its
SHORES, and a water communication with
the Atlantic, thus having access to avast
internal trade. Michigan has still many
acres OF public land, as also has Wiscon-
SIN whose public lands originally en-
praCed 34,oll $50 acres. Only One-seventh
OF the whole area Of the State is now I'M
der cultivation. Missouri reveals to the
agflculturlSt regions of the greatest fer
49, " H'iS W lue miner q VICE range OF
mineral dne products is accessible. Less than
i'OOO,OOO acres of public lands remain to
oe disposed of. Iowa is a phenomenon
among the new States west of the Missis-
slpPl' and one of the leading in the cereal
region. The cash value of its farms, en-
o od1aaC ems 20OOO000 acres is placed at 1898,
ooo,oOo' The State possesses greater nat
l QTaI advantages for crop-raising than
minnesota. Its wheat is said to be the
onolcesU raised in the cereal region, and
CoEiI % the highest price at Chicago,
anu anu Ihe hour made from it is worth more
T5ldn any other flour in the New York or |
I'ost0h market. Minnesota has Just en-
ee!eu upon Lne second era of its glorious |
eeA Al9e; Kansas is also phenomenal |
o!dle' ana Is destined to become an en- |
pIi9. mat portion of 1t which was once
called the Great American Desert'' has
r neGolne one OF the most productive
regions or the great West. Nebraska. |
AN IN Its infancy, is young giant. |
dHe sf aa ing region of the State com |
PIlses So,UUU,UOO acres. Dakota has vet |
oEeI 'o,UoU,oOO acres undisposed of, and |
50 rapidly has migration passed into the
ae.TrlIory that the public SURVEYS have /
1alled 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
ana social differences. strengthened by
variety and rivalry, but all blended, bal
anced and unified, each State exerting an