The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-05-25

eye mo ROADS, OF even ioot-PdtHe,
had marred the rich green verdure
OF the plains. Camping in one Of
these beautiful spots, so numerous
in the Red Biver Vally, and MAX
ing couch of the soft green sward
that spread out in every direction,
until the rich green OF the luxuriant
pralries met and mingled with the
pure deep blue ofthe sky, | dreamed
of the agricultural empire which
would one day flourish in unrivaled
magnifcance, on this fertile and ap-
parently boundless plain, but even
in my dreams I could not conceive
the transformation which five years
of railway development has pro-
duced. That same country to-day
is alive with hardy, industrious,
and enterprising people. Already
it contains some Of the largest wheat
farms in the world. Every railway
train from the east is crowded with
land hunters eager to procure a
quarter section or more of that
"bleak uninhabitable desert" One
farm in Dakota, on the line of the
railroad and in the Red River Val
ley, known as
THE CAsS- CHENEY FARM,
embraces ten thousand acres. It's
" heat crop in 1877 comprised thirty
four hundred and fifteen acres,
yielding 79,4ls bushels. The farm
ing implements necessary for ope-
rating it embrace; "a breaking
plows. 100 stubble-plows, 81 harrows,
26 broad-seeders, SO harvesters, and
S steam thrashlng machines. The
crop of 1878 VIII be eight thousand
acres. The crop of this year,,,if as
large per acre as last, will be over
one hundred and eighty thousand
bushels, and will require FIVE hun
dred and forty freight cars, or one
train of eighteen cars day for a
whole month, to tra nsport the pro-
duct of this one farm to market.
Another known as
also situated in the Red River Val
ley, and within the limits of the
Northern Pacific land grant, con-
tains thirty eight thousand acres.
Its product in 1877, from twenty
six hundred acres was 81, 66O bush
els of wheat. Five thousand acres
are to be sowb in wheat this spring,
and understand the owners intend
to continue their improvements on
this scale. When their entire farm
is under cultivation, it will produce
nearly a million bushels. and will re-
quire twenty-ssven hundred cars, or
one train of eighteen cars, per day,
for FIVE months, to carry it's products
to market. | am credlbly informed
that the crops OF 1875 and 1877
have fully reimbursed the owners
for their entire expenditure for their
lands, outfit, and the cost OF cultur e.
At 81 per bushel for wheat the
lands in the Red River will pay an
average net profit of from SO to SIP
per acre, What more profitable
business can be found ? When a
farm can be paid for out of the
profits of single crop, why should
the people lack enployment2 They
are beginning to learn these facts,
and by the thousand the enterprls-
ing and industrious portion of our
people are leaving the cities, VII
lagos, and densely settled parts of
the Eastern and Middle States, to
find homes and an honest living, on
the fertile prairies along the North
ern Pacific road.
The soil in this valley is a yery
rich black mold from twelve inches
to four feet in depth, resting on
clay subsoil. The subsoil itself is
thoroughly impregnated with the
elements need for the production
OF wheat, and hence it is practically
lnexhaustible.
Many other farms similar to those
| have mentioned are being opened.
but | am glad to know that the ag
ricultural operations of this vast
region are by no means confined to
such mammoth enterprises as these.
BY far the most important fea-
ture OF this new development con-
sists in the
IMMENSE NUMBER OF SMALL FARMS.
which are being opened up by
men Of limited means, but tireless
energy, who 60 there to make
homes for themselves and families.
For it is the homes after all that
make the country. The general and
long-continued depression in BUSH
ness has driven out from the towns
and villages an Industrious and en-.
terprlsing class of men who, find
ing no demand for their services in
offices. stores, and workshops, have
wisely resolved to appeal to Mother
Earth for employment and support.
People also, from the oldest sections
OF the country, where lands COM
mand higher prices, are selling
their valuable, improved farms, and
investing the proceeds in larger
tracts for themselves and their
in this new wheat garden
of the world.
THE VAST EXTENT OF THIS COUNTRY.
The area available tor profitable
agriculture, in this new Northwest.
Is as vast in it's proportions as it is
generous in its products. There is
room not only tor all the unem-
ployed and hungry millions in The