The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-08-22
Many who read this article obtained

Many who read this article obtained
their farms at the Government price of
land, $l.25 per acre. For years they
used for grazing and hay-cutting an
amount of land equal to that which they
bought, rent free. In some instances
they obtained their fuel on the land of
spectators. In old times to cut wood or
fencing on the land of a speculator was
not regarded as a crime, but as Just
and merited punishment for the crime of
holding land to increase in value by the
industry of actual settlers. This land,
so cheaply bought, has increased In value,
some twenty, some fifty, some an hun
dred fold. The owners of these lands
nave received, at least, fair remunera-
ton for their industry. They have also
become well-to-do In the world, if not
wealthy: Hardly any class OF men have
received so large an increase from so
small an investment of capital. No
stocks during run of years have paid
as well as the money invested in prairie
lands.
But that which has happened in the
past Is not likely to take place in the
future. Except in rare localities, land
has not risen in value since the WARM
some sections it has decreased. For
legitimate farming purposes it may be
SAID to have reached its maximum value.
AT least, 1t will not rise in value because
the property round it, unfenced and un-
improved, is rising. Farmers will not
continue to grow rich from what Is so
often called the natural rise in property
10 make money in this easy way they
must sell out the farms they now own,
go west, and commence life anew In
many entire sections land is showing un-
mistakablc marks of decreased fertility
Instead of producing several crops of
wheat in succession without manure, it
has not produced one paying crop even
with the aid of manure.
With lands no longer rising in value
with no outside land to use for pasturage
or hay-cutting; with an additional crop
of weeds each year to keep in subsection !;
with decreasing fertility and rapidly-in-
creasing taxation, how is the farmer to
better his condition in the future? In no
other way than by doing better farming
in the future than in the past lie must
make every acre of taxable land pay. It
must pay the taxes imposed upon it, and
pay interest on the investment. Other
wise the ownership of the land involves
loss To do this, boys and marshes
must be drained, and all hitherto unpro-
ductivc lands must be made to produce
at least a crop of grass Even the old
natural grasses must give place to better
varieties, both in the pasture and in the
meadows, while attention must lie given
each year to sowing seeds on the land,
and to giving top dressing of barnyard
manure, plaster and ashes.
Again, barren fruit trees must not
cumbcr the ground, but be diggctl about
and made to produce crops, or rooted out
that new ones may take their places. An
account must be taken with the horses,
cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry, and if
any OF them do not pay their keep, taxes
and a revenue besides, let them be sacr-
feed to those that will. The keeping up
of the present fertility of the soil must
be matter for attention, and an attempt
should be made to render the soil more
fertile, year by year. TO do this the
subject Of making, storing, handling and
applying manure must be studied in the
scientific and practical relations. In
short, farmers must become better in
formed, not only concerning the general
management of their farms, but in re-
gard to domestic economy and the laws
OF tradc.-P1u5r2e Farmer