News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-12-18
From Minnesota.
ST. CHARLES, Mimi, Dec. l, 1884.
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ST. CHARLES, Mimi, Dec. l, 1854.
Dear Neacs and Citizen:
/ have q first-class visit with old ac-
QuaintanceS in Vermont, by means OF
your friendly columns, and begin to
think it is my turn to rise up and say
something, by way of greeting, at least.
We have had regular Minnesota rail-,
which means superb weather and first
class roads. A week ago yesterday Win
ter set in with a ruSh-SnOw storm and
regular blizzard. We passed, i'll few
hours, from our mild early October
weather to the middle of January, appar-
emily; but after one day of high carnival,
the north wind retired and we have had
moderate, enjoyable days, with sleigh
ing The streets are busy, and good |
deal of grain comes in every day, not
Withstanding low prices. The sorghum
crop was unusually fine this season. and
/ had a chance to see the process of man
ufacture for the first time. 1t is usually
made at the halves for those VINO nave
no mills of their own worth 40 to 5ll cts.
a gallon this year. An acre in good cul-
tiyation Welded this fall about 200 gal
Ions: about the same work to cultivate
as Indian corn. Last year the sorghum
crop was inferior in quantity and quail
ty. on account of severe frost.
The low price of wheat this year is
driving the farmers in the direction of
mixed farming, with more stock. Dairy
ing paws well. With hay at about So
and ground feed accordingly, it is not so
expensive to keep COWS as in Vermont,
and butter sells to just as good advan-
tage here as theresa far as | can learn.
Business here in town has been decided
ly picking up during the year-for what
reason l cannot judge. A good many
vacant buildings on Main Street have
been occupied during the summer and
fall, and rent is higher: Real estate in
bottom, and the tendency now is favor
able to better prices. The emigration to
Dakota has affected us great deal more
than it has any place i'll Vermont. We
think there will soon be a reaction, as
there is certainly no better land in Da-
kota than the land in this part of Mime
sotaa Thanksgiving Day was observed
after the New England fashion. Good
congregation out in our church at
union service. Turkey and chicken pie
thereafter at home. Immense quantities
of apples from Michigan have been sold
here in town-the very choicest in the
market sold as low as $3.50 per barrel.
1 am comfortably located this winter in
my own house-the best house | ever
lived in-good solid brick, two stories,
nigh and light, centrally located. Should
be happy to see any of my eastern friends
who may happen to call. Don't all
come at once. By the way, our friends
in st. Charles did all come at once few
days ago and surprised us completely,
leaving all sorts of pound packages.
Christmas is now in the air, and the
Sunday schools are bound to have the
usual tree, which, we think, is good
custom. We had a two days g Fellows
ship Meeting recently, after the La
noble County fashion," which was
much enjoyed, Had some of the best
talent in the State to assist US.
This is not "a backwoods country" by
any means. People have things here
and enjoy themselves. Occasionally
there is a "close-fisted'' farmer, but the
most of them are liberal and enterprls-
ing-willing to live and let live
| send Christmas and New Years
greetings to my friends. Cordially,
d. III. BICKNELL.