Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-12-04
Biggest Wheat Farm in America.


The United States, although famous for
great business undertakings, have not many
large wheat-growing farms. Throughout the
Eastern, Middle, and even Northwestern
States, the ordinary grain farmer seldom pos
sesses more than two hundred acres. But here
At Casselton, in Dakota Territory, in the val.
ley of the Red River, is striking exception
"A farm of $4,000 acres, held by Mr.. Oliver
Dalrymple. Four years ago this enormous
farm was portion Of the far-reaching prairie
wilderness. No evidences of human life were
visible. Prairie fowls, spipe, jack rabbits, the
prairie squirrel or gopher were the inhabitants,
while wild ducks and geese congregated in
creeks or marshy spots. A few years pre-
viously buffaloes and badgers were common,
and on the untitled prairie their whitened
bones lie thickly strewed. Some of the Di-
rectors of the Northern Pacific Railway had
acquired these lands and wisely appointed
MI. Oliver Dalrymple their manager, with q
half-share in the concern. Mr.. Dalrymple
brought to his serious task goodly expert
ence, acquired in successfully farming 5000
acres at Lake Elmo, near St. Paul, MINI. On
Friday. the 26th of September, the members
Of the Royal Commission, Messrs. Read and
Pell, your Commissioner, and party under
the guidance Of Mr.. James H. Drake, Assist.
ant Manager of the St. Paul and Sioux City
Railway Company, were most Hospitality re-
ceived by Mr.. Dalrymple were driven for
miles over this vast prairie farm; examined
its dark friable, alluvial soil, perfectly free
from stones. varying from twelve to twenty
inches deep, resting upon an argillaceous clay
rich in vegetable remains gathered informa-
ton as to the cost of wheat production, and
speculated on the permanenoe of continuous
wheat growing. The arrangements of this
great farm are we'll considered and systemat-
ically and effectually carried out. Minor de-
tails receive more attention than on most
farms Of one hundred acres time and labor
are everywhere economized. On one Of the
subdivisions of the property telephone COM
at q cost of only three hundred
dollars, is established between the superin
tendent's Office and that of bis foreman; and
this rapid and direct system of control is teing
extended throughout the whole estate. Sub
stantial and economical wooden buildings
have been erected at suitable points, consist
ing Of houses for superintendents, sleeping and
for the men, stables, granaries
and sheds for the storing of the numerous and
valuable machinery and implements, with
hlacksniths' and carpenters shops. Handy to
the several buildings, wells, varying from fifty
to eighty feet, have been dug into the sand
and gravel bed which underlies tho clay. On
one farm avenues Of trees are planted out.
Amid such modern equipments and good cul-
tivation it is difficult to realize that this busy,
profitable settlement was five years ago lonely,
barren prairie. This Dalrymple farm cost
from forty cents to five dollars per acre. There
are DO Federal taxes rates, mostly for school
purposes, amount to ten cents per acre. The
estate is petitioned into divisions of 5000
acres, each under tho management of . divis-
i6nal superintendent, who has under him two
foremen, one Of whom, on horteback, .ecom-
panies his fifteen or twenty teams to work,
sees to the ploughing or drilling, observes and
reports as to the behavior of tho men, tho con-
dition Of the animals, and the efficiency of the
machinery. Each division has two or moro
sets Of buildings, and in connection with tho
principal homestead of each farm are the
quarters for the men-large wooden barrack
rooms, sometimes over the stables, comfortably
warmed With stoves, where fifty men sleep in
busy times two in = bed. Hard by are the
kitchens, each with tho capacity to provide
for the wants Of 100 men, presided over by
the cook and his mate, who, on requisition
through the foreman, draw supplies from the
stores-nour for bread, puddings and cakes /;
beef, which costs fresh fully Sd. per pound !;
pork, bacon, cheese and butter, tea and coffee,
aud other good things. But the stores, liber-
ally provided with necessaries and luxuries,
including some of the best butter and coffee
We eve, tasted, wisely dispense neither beer
nor spirits. Three hot meals day srs pro-
vided-bsfore 8, at noon and .t 2; msat,
bread, puddings, cakes, tea and coffee are sup
piled without stint: All payments sre made
BY the book-kseper on vouchers signed BY
the foreman. Msn can draw their money =.
they please. Some take it weekly; few
spend it ut the besr saloons st Cassslton 9TH
ers, more provident, allow it 70 run on fol
weeks or oven for half , year. The rate Of
wages variss With the season. With board
during the spring SIS month (1ss : week.
is given during harvest wages advanos "a
$2 Is day ]; during The thrsshing season tie
rate Is redueed 70 -; during he axtam1
months ths pay il 31s. No piecssork !.
adoptsd hi 90 thorough Il the sspe,intssd.
sDcs that ifall work i obtainsd from both naz
saad sbeAse During hasrsst and thrsl hing
which q loss ost q u -, . .aay as.siz
shaadreal ~ ~ .plsysa 1vsa