The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-08-10
DAKOTA AND IT'S BOOSTERS.

DAKOTA AND lis BUSTERS.
That Dakota is q country OF vast di-
mansions and cheap fertile lands, no one
denies. That large yields of "No. 1
hard" wheat can be had no one attempts
to dispute, but it is fairly disgusting to
read the crop reports from that section
published every few days in the city
dailies. Prospective yields Of 2Ii to b
bushels of wheat per acre, none less. scme
more. There is large section OF coun-
try from which these reports come that
will not average over one half that. These
reports are no doubt in the interest of
real estate dealers.
The newspapers of Dakota are employ
ed in blooming" the country and no
doubt are we'll paid for it. In very glow
ing colors they tell you of the promised
land" until you can fancy paradise
spread before you. They note carefully
the good qualities of the country, but
are very sure to avoid the bad. No ac-
counts of floods, billiards or grass hop
pers. The newspaper is a prominent
boaster. The settlers are boosters also,-
they have land to sell,-or want neigh
bors, are an1ioGs to have the country
develop, that thsir land may rise in
value. They have had wonderful crops,
or would have had, if floods, hail, or
grass hoppers had not destroyed them.
Dakotans are ''boomers" as rule. Edi
tor, poet, preacher, tradesman, farmer,
all join in the blooming" business, and
it no doubt is entitled to large measure
of praise; but what is Objectionable is
the extravagant statements that constant
ly appear, to mislead the reader. If
perchance he goes to Dakota it takes him
some time to fully realize the disadvan-
tages he has to labor under; but he will
miss more and more the good water, cheap
fuel, shade trees and orchard.
We spent some time in that section
recently, and in company with an enthus-
iastic Dakotan, drove with team over
two hundred miles through the cream of
Dakota. After our return we conversed
with the editor of The Pilot, and he saw
fit to make mention of our observations.
The item has since been copied in Da-
kota paper with sharp(O criticism add
ii Tho star, raforro1 70 oh
.jecti6ns to Dakota. We do not wish to
have it said, however, that we failed to
see any good in Dakota. 1t has great
resources of wealth. Men of moderate
means are going there, opening up large
farms of one or two sections and making
money fast, there is no doubt of it.
There is this argument in favor Of Da-
kota: In the Red River Valley you can
buy wild lands of the best grade within
two or three miles of ready market Cat
prices 10 to 15c bushel lower than Mil
waukee) at from $40 to $15 per acre.
At greater distances from market land
is much cheaper. Those wishing land
under the pre- emption or homestead laws
must go farther back. The cream of all
Dakota seems to be in the Goose River
valley, that section is free from many of
the objections noted, and crops promise
magnificent harvest.
But it seems to us that farmer locat-
ed in our county, owning little farm of
so to 100 acres, with good buildings and
improvements, plenty of timber at his
command, with variety of crops such
as he can grow here very successfully
wheat, barley, rye, oats, peas and hay,
should not sell at q sacrifice Gas is often
done) and move to a country he knows
little about. The farmer of this county
should not dispose of his productive
little farm until he is absolutely certain
he can do better. No better average of
crops can be found anywhere than right
here in Manitowoc county. We escape
drought, hail storms and grasshoppers,
and if one crop does fail we have half q
dozen others to depend on.
Last season Wisconsin shipped pota-
toes all over the west and they were not.
ed for their fine quality. This is not a
corn growing section, but even that crop
looks better than in Illinois. The fact is
we are quiet and modest here and lot
given 70 booming" Orr climate is de.
iightful, our country attractive, our cit
! les are filed with summer visitors each
season, our people are industrious and
thrifty, live within their means and enjoy
life. ALBERT LANDRETH.
PLUMB & NELSON, GROCERS.