Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-02-21

Peculiar Advantages of Southern Min
nes0ta. 'F9f57-srN>11@-, a1''.e-s"T'
Gen. James II. Baker, our Railroad
Commissioner, addressed the Northwest
ern Dairymen's Association at Mankato
last week. We take great pleasure in re-
producing what the General had to say
about Southern Minnesota-so Faithfully
and eloquently told. Every reader Of
the TRANSCRIPT, whether he be a farmer
or not, can gain wisdom and content
ment by reading it, for every word is
true; and while reading. remember, that
Mower county lies in the very centre of
the section styled by c. A. DeGraff as
the blue grass region of Minnesota"
''Not alone because of loyalty to my
section. but because of its real advanta-
ges, would 1 say word for that noble
belt of agricultural provinces called
southern Minnesota. Railways and 9th
ers interested in cxtolling the praises of
lands beyond ours, have caused one of
the most highly favored regions of the
Northwest to be omitted from the lists of
lands glorified beyond measure The
world is flooded with persuasive adver-
Using literature as to the enchantment in
lands beyond US in fields toward the set
ting sun. Hence the tide of emigration
has often surged past our doors. would
not ungenerously depreciate Dakota nor
the Northern Pacific lands. Southern
Minnesota can afford to wait the reaction
which is sure to come. When at college
| remember reading in Heroditus that
Scion declared, No one country posses
sed all advantages, or yields all the pro-
ducts of nature, but has one and lacks
another; and that country should be held
most fortunate that produces most of
those things necessary for the use and
comfort of man.
''The wisdom of Scion is as good now
as it was 1000 years ago. Judged by
this rule southern Minnesota should be
esteemed most fortunate. No other re-
deemed most essential in general agricul-
ture. 1t is locality which peculiarly in
vitcs and will richly reward a mixed hus-
bandry. We no longer have to inquire
what we shall do when we abandon the
single crop of wheat. We can produce
corn and hogs, blue grass, clover and fine
cattle; the whole range of dairy products
invite us to more pleasant and protita-
BILE pursuit than exclusive grain farming.
We abound in lakes and streams of pure
water; we have great stretches of shelter
belts to protect us from the 'pitiless pelt-
ings of the storm. We have good roads
in winter and are we'll served with rail-
ways. As you turn to the great North
west beyond us, this is the last certain
home Of fruit, of clover, of timothy and
corn. We dislike man with but sin
gle idea; and region which can produce
but one crop is not an ideal one
That have over-stated the peculiar
adaptation Of this region to the protec-
ton Of grasses and the healthfulness of
stock, let me summon competent wit
ness: Mr.. c. A. DeGraff near GAINESVILLE
has u 1900 acre farm. Born and raised in
blue grass region in southern Ohio, he
is now one of the most eminent breeders
of fine cattle in the west Hear his testi-
mony given to the editor of the american
agricultural Re0iew Says Mr.. DeGraff
{ IN, IN
and early became familiar with the value
of blue grass, and when began farming
in Minnesota, seeing the near rescm-
blance to that section in many particu-
lars, and examining the soil carefully in
different parts, I became convinced that
blue grass was natural to it, and l exper
imented with it and found it to be the
case. If you draw line across the state
from St. Paul south to the Iowa line and
one west from Winona to Marshall, and
thence south to the Iowa line, you have
what may be termed the blue grass re-
gion of Minnesota. This portion of the
state is bound to he famous as great
grazing region. Threeyear old grade
Short-horn steers, grazed on blue grass in
| this belt, will tip the beam at 1900 to 1900
pounds. This portion of the state, en-
bracing the blue grass, is as fine as Ken
lucky or Southern Ohio, where the varie-
ty originated, and where alone it is gen
orally believed it can grow
"Such is the testimony of one who has
made this question practical study, and
| whose noble stocks and herds have vindi-
Gated his judgment.
CDR. Holmes once wittily said, Boston
is good place to be born in, for the
! man who is once born in Boston doesn't
have to be born again The man who
settles in southern Minnesota doesn't
have to go west and settle again. That
business is intelligently concluded. Give
us a country where you can make lovely
| farm homes, surrounded with verdant
| lawns and pastures, decorated with cat
tie, where the dairy can nestle beside
| the spring or lake, or the stream; a spot
that you can cmbellish and enrich with
| trees, and fruits, and flowers, and vines;
where skill and taste can create, in the
midst of diversified agriculture, the no.
| BILE adornments of home for ourselves
| and our children.
''The northwest has turned pivotal
point, and dairy farming and stock rals-
! ing has come to stay. This situation IS
| beginning to be apparent in southern
Minnesota. But men are tenacious of
past usages. The prejudices of people
long engaged in a specially have to be
overcome slowly. The new paths,
though more pleasant to follow, are tax
en- with reluctance But sufficient num-
Der Of thoughtful and progressive farm
ers have taken to stock as against grain
| raising, to vindicate it's true value.
Though some having run their course of
deteriorating and mortgaging their farms
her4. have sold Ant and rOne tn skim the