, 1883-06-09
THE WHEAT ZoNE-PERFEC
TION ONLY IN THE NORTH.

In a recent isSue ii the AeIrS, very
euterpris;ng paper published at CARING
ton. North Dakota, We tiud the following,
which is So applicable to Washington
Territory, as having So many physical
aud geographical features IN common
with Dakota, that We are tempted 10 re-
print the article;
Perhaps the best negative dehni ION OF
the wheat zone" would lie to exclude
every province, territory or state whose
aggregate product is iess than the demand
OF The resident population. IL has been
estimated upon elaborate data that the
hreads,uif raised in the SIX New England
states would iot feel their population
more Than thirty DAYS; the product OF
NeE York would suffice tor only three
weeks; while n similar rafio probably ex-
lists IN Pcnnsy lyania, Virginia, and per
haIs ohic. The northern districts Of
Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa would prob
ably be adequate to the wants of the peo-
pie: but with crops not exceeding eleven
bushels TO the acre (and less rather than
more), those states and some others to
the westward are likely 10 he soon ,nelud
ed in the maze zone Of the continent.
Michigan aud Wisconsin have some
chance of holding their own with regard
to this distinctive and leaGin. staple for
So some time to come.
But with the mutations OF climate and
industry that inevitably tranSpIre, the
great source Of the supply Of hreadstutfs
of the future on this continent for the
people # two worlds must he Dakota,
aud especially its northern section, which
is more nearly within the great wheat
are, than the southern half III the tern
tory. Our territory has not only the
LARGEST area but will also yield the most
certain crops and the best aud hcalthIest
grains The philosophical prrnc pie upon
which We base our statement and our
prophecy is this,-that cultivated plants
yield their greatest product nenr the
norther::most limit III which they will
grow. This condition, rs applied I"
wheat growth. is only fulfilled, IN the
United States, IN North Dakota.
The same unvarying PRINCIPAL is heau-
iifully illustrated by similar facts wIih re-
gard to other crops than wheat. Gotten
is a tropical plant, but The southern
United States have taken the cotton mar
ket from the East and West indies, both
As to quantity aud quality. Flax and
hemp, III southern climates, are forced s0
rapidly into maturity that the hnt does
not acquire either consistency or tenacity.
Indian corn Is a Seml-trCpIcI. II not
ropical plant. and also comes -Ithn the
operation of the same law. In the Nrst
Indies it rises thirty feet high, but pro
duces only few grains on spongy cob,
and is valueless except rs rough proven
der. In the southern United States We
have fifteen feet of growth and thirty
bushels To the acre; IN tns middle states
fifty to sixty bushels; while Ill more
northern localities agricultural societies
have actually awarded premiums for
hundred and fifty bushels from seven
feet stalks. In the extreme south the
Juices of the plant are SO RAPIDLY devei-
oped that they run into culm and blade,
TO the neglect Of the seed, and they draw
away before justification is complete.
IL is only III the north that stock can
be brought into high condition with hay
and grass alone. 1t is only IN the north
that grasses acquire the succulence and
consistency which Will not only produce
the most perfect animal, but also the
richest butter ard cheese. /. is well
known that the potato IS not fit TO eat
south Of St LOUIS. The choicest varie-
ties Of the apple are all OF northern
origin. The peach, nectarine, plum,
cherry, current, and gooseherry are not
IN perfection IN the south. IL Is only
near the great lakes, or III cool mountain
situations, that the grape succeeds III
North America The salad plants are
also conspicuous examples Of this law
the instinct Of protection frpl!. cold makes
their heads compact and tender.
THIS law of the natural world explains
why our North Dakota Lands produce the
finest " heat aud vegetables known within
the boundaries Of our nation; and affords
an irresistible a. sumen, for the cultare
Of all hardy fruits, small or large. We
are confident our people Will not be dis
appointed when they turn their attention
to these crops, If they bring into exercise
the same powers Of intelligence, Observa-
ton, aud perseverance, which they have
already manifested Iii other matters else
where.
There is an unusually close agreemnt
between the theory We have referred To
and the actual facts that support IT. The
quantity of wheat held a, three OF our
great grain centres on the 3lst Of Decem-
ber, 1880, was as follows: In the eie-
va.ors Of Dlluth, l, l02, ,217 bushels, Of
which over ninety-fcur per cent. graded
- No. Hard" All this wheat is North
ern Pacific Railroad and North Dakota
growth. In ST. Paul IS2, 900 bushels, Of
which forty per cent. graded mo l.
Thi, wheat Comes from southern Mime
sofa and southern Dtko,a. la Chicas"
2.5jl 182 bushels. of which only 9,SG9
bushels graded Ma. /, " and not single
bushel of Z" No Hard This wheat IS
supplied by contiguous states and terri
tories far 10 the south of North Dakota
Could anything more clearly establish
the point We wish to clam, that North
Dakota is without any peer IN the quality
Of its wheat cropi We again remind eur
friends In the East that We are neither
visionaries nor enthusiasts; but simply
speak words of a. truth and soberness.
IL.