The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-01-05

choose from must 20 further west. Un-
less the Indian reservations are Opehed
soon this chance will not last much long.
er. Although there Is plenty Of vacant
land now, another spring rush of ImIni-
grafton like that of last spring will take
every foot of it. The vacant lands now
are chiefly in the Missouri
river district.
.. Spring wheat is the only wheat
raised, and is the chief dependence at
present.
3. Mixed farming is the farming that
pays best here. as it does almost every
where. The soil Is adapted to raising
any crop that will grow in this latitude,
and the yield is as good as anywhere in
America.
4. Good dent corn is raised i'm paying
quantities. Of course the season is n
little shorter than in Ohio, but Is long
enough to raise good corn, though not
as large as is grown IN the bottom lands
of the Buckeye State.
5. o, yes there are taXes--good ones
Nothing sure but death and taxes F"
holds just as good here as elsewhere
No form Of government has yet been
evolved that does away with taxes that
we know Of Our taxes attain tn re-
spectacle dimensions, depending Oh the
administration Of each county, which
may tax itself at its own pleasure. Set
tiers, however, pay no. taxes on their
lands until they have proved up" and
obtained title to them. Under the
homestead law 100 acres may he held
for five years, and under the timber
culture law for eight years, without
taxation. Personal property, including
improvements on such lands, is taxed
just as it is in the States. Let nobody
be deferred from coming here by any
fear of being deprived of the privilege
Of walt2ing up to the county treasurer's
Office and putting up his share of the
municipal expenses. However, taxes
are not burdensome.
q. The only way government land
can bc obtained is through settlement
and entry under the presumption and
homestead laws and the timber culture
law. The two former require settle
ment and residence--the latter does not.
Z. In many instances wheat has yield
ed a6 bushels land oats 80 bushels per
acre. OF course these were exceptional.
Wheat last year averaged probably from
~ to % bushels; oats from 80 to GO.
y. Common lumber costs from so to
S24 per thousand.
8. The lowest temperature we have
seen in South Dakota was i0' below
zero. This must not be supposed to
bear any relation To what would be
meant by the same temperature in
Ohio. The dryness of the atmosphere
robs the cold of the chill produced
by the cold in that region, and is far
less formidable than 2Oe below is there.
We assert this of our own knowledge.
10. Many farmers burn hay, but 1t is
not very satisfactory, and all prefer
coal, which costs Ss IA ton here.
IL. Last year and the year before
there was not snow enough at any time
to make good sleighing. At present
we have about four inches, and sleigh
ing is excellent. Winter lasts about
five months.
II. No tobacco is raised for market.
Finally, Dakota offers the advantages
of az good homes as can he made any
where in America, to be had for the
taking. The chief Of all advantages il
the opportunity 10 secure independence
in short time without large capital to
start with. A young man whose wild
est dreams would never reach to the
possession of large farm in Ohio, can
easily obtain one here, Of just as good
or better land. The man who in an old
State would he a laborer or renter, and
scratch poor mans head all his life,
can become owner of a splendid farm
in Dakota, and snap his fingers at land
lords and employers. Independence
instead of dependence - that is the sum
total of the whole business, and 1t ought
to be enough for any man with the
spirit of a true American. This is ac-
companied by as good society as can be
found anywhere, and all the appurte-
nances of civilization come with the
settlers. SchOolhouses and churches
are among the first buildings erected
Railroads 90 ahead of the settlers, and
markets are right mt hand. There are
no forests to clear off OF stumps to pull.
The breaking plow may be started in
the spring and many kinds Of crops
raised the same year. The second year
the ground is ready for any sort Of crop.
Nutritious grasses grow all over the
prairies, and limitless quantities of hay
may he put up with no expense but the
labor of cutting and stacking, so that
stock can be kept to All extent limited
only by the working force. No health
icr country lies under the sun. A day
without sunshine is rarity.
Dakota being part of the vale of
tears" Of course it has its drawbacks,
which fate was never escaped In this
world. Of course 1t is colder than lower
ATTITUDES. No one need come here ex-
pecting to bask under tropical sun the
year around. This Is not Florida, and
no person of common sense should ex-
pect any similitude. 1t takes time,
even under the most favorable circum-
stances, to get home established with
all the comforts and conveniences Of the
old countries Those who come here to
pick mp fortune will be badly left.
The timid and tender had better stay
where they are. Nobody need apply
who is not willing to trough it for
a while. or to sacrifice some present
convenience for the sake of future ease
and competence, or who is Mortified at
the thought of frosted ear or nose.
Brave hearts, willing hands. vigorous
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