Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-05-12
CULTIVATED LANDS,
A ...,., .,,,ltiUnfnG lonl
TAXABLE PROPERTY.

Among farmers, wheat raising has
been the principal industry. There
are those in the country who measure
their wheat fields i'm square miles, and
other, of lesser magnitude whose
farms range from half section to but
a few acres. Wheat raising has been
and is now very profitable i'll this soil
which is so well adapted to its culture
but to secure themselves against con
tinyencies and increase their profits,
farmers have begun system OF diver
sitied farming. The cultivation OF
flax, corn, amber cane and tame
grasses are now receiving considerable
attention. With the two creameries
of large capacity, now ready for work,
darying and the raising of stock has
been given an additional impetus
Some farmers have almost entirely
abandoned wheat growing for stock
raising. Tree culture too is receiving
more attention than ever before.
No county in the west has more
prosperous farming population than
this. Farm buildings, fences, and
other improvements all bear evidences
of energy, econom and thrift.
For the benefit of eastern readers
who are looking for a desirable and
available place in which to find a
western home, we will say that while
all government land has been taken
I'D good farms can still be obtained
at reasonable figure. First there are
the state lands. They are placed un-
der the control of the state auditor As
land commissioner, and provision is
made for their appraisal at price not
below So 90 per acre, and each year a
auantity of these lands are offered at
public sale in the several counties.
The purchaser is required to pay in
cash, Is per cent. of the amount of his
bid for prairie land, and 20 to 10 per
cent. for timber land, according to the
value of such timber. On the remain
der of the purchase money, the pur-
chaser is granted credit Of thirty
wears, at per cent, interest payable
yearly i'm advance; or he may, at any
time within that period, pay the
whole amount and receive deed at
orce, and thus stop the accruing of in
terest.
Some of the most valuable tracts of
land in the county are owned by the
state and available for entry as above.
In addition to this there Is a large area
of indemnity lands not yet in the
market, the title being as yet in dis
pute between the railroad company
and the government, the general i'm
preston is however that the lands
will soon he thrown open for settle
ment. These lands lay outside the
ten mile limits of the first railroad
grant. Next there are imerOyed farms
for sale at very reasonable prices, and
some of these lands can be obtained
in tracts to suit purchasers and on
very favorable terms.
In every new country some of the
first settlers are not practical farm
ers and do not succeed. They are
broken down tradesmen, or perhaps
persons who by lazyness or some other
cause have failed in older portions of
the country, who by purchasing twice
the machinery needed, by trying to
own and cultivate areas too great for
their means, or other gross misman-
agement, fail and suddenly find them
selves upon mortgaged farms even
under the mo t favorable circum-
stances and in the most favored local.
ties. Stevens county is not an excep-
ton. Some of this worthless class are
within her borders. AS they are now
offering their farms for very little
more than the amount of the mort
cages upon them; even this item is of
interest to new corners. w advise
all, however, who wish cheap farms
in Stevens county to avail themselves
of present opportunities speedily.
With her railroad facilities Morris of
fers a superior maket for all farm pro-
ducts, and for this reason farming land
adjacent are more valuable than else
where. Prices of real estate are adj
vancing and soon all cheap lands will
be out Of the market.
The county agricultural society or
ca,1ized under tile laws Of the state, is
dninr much to advance the interests
a. 'fhe place. IT conducts annual fairs
mon grounds which are owned by the
society. These annual gatherings are
bofh pleasant and profitable to farm
Sd. where they can compare notes,