The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-10-07
PUBLIC LANDS.
Where Free Homes May Be Made
Areas of Unoccupied
Land.
Variety of Soil and Climate-Territory
Held in Reserve-State
Lands.

There remains open to free settlement in the
United States about 5l5,0O0,0OO acres of Govern
ment land. OF this area about thirty eight per
cent, because Of its mountainous or barren nat
ure, u.s. and will be permanently, unavailable for
the purposes of agriculture or stock-raising, al
though as timber preserve parts OF it may
serve as adjuncts of no small value to contIgu-
GUS farming sections. OF the remaining sixty
two per cent, fully one-half is not Immediately
available for settlement, ewing to the swampy
or arid nature of its soils The swampy sec
tons are comparatively 0mall and are rapidly
disappearing as the timber is cut away,
and ditching and thing appliances
brought into use, and ii requires no super
natural vision to foresee that few
years hence they will be the most
productive, and consequently the most valua-
BILE, districts in the Union. The arid area, so
far as its availability goes is an elastic quanti
ty, the expansion of which is contingent upon
many conditions. A generation ago the Great
American Desert began just west of the Mis-
sissippi River Year by year the demonstration
of actual cultivation has pushed it farther and
farther To the southwest, and that IL will soon
join the unnumbered myths is very probable.
TO tho poor homesteader, however this arid
region is n present and forbidding reality and
its aroa, except where bordering upon streams
or bodies OF water is practically closed to
him.
Stretching from the British possessions on
the north to the Gulf OF California at the south.
and reaching down the Rio Grande and over to
tivaton, because of insufficient rainfall, is prac-
tcable only through irrigation. Through this
region the valleys where nature furnishes the
means irrigation, nre as rule, taken up.
Beyond these valleys artificial conduits are be-
ing const ucted, but their extent is necessarily
limited, and their excavation costly. Outside
of the territory which they may supply, the
problem of GUILTY. alton depends upon the
pra ticabihty of artesian wells, ques-
ON every township of land, and on
possible, or rather probable, increase in
rainfall. There can be no question that rain
fall is increased by tillage, or that the
rain belt is moving slowly westward. Irriga-
ton, moreover, barring the question of first
cost, cannot be regarded ms other than most de-
sirable because of the control over the degree
and time of admission of water which il gives
TO the farmer, 1t will be remembered that
Egypt anu Mesopotalnia, the granaries OF the
ancient world, were dry countries where crops
were possible only through irrigation. The cost
of the means of water supply is, however, an
obstacle TO the majority Of pioneers.
The area available fer immediate settlement,
without obstacle, is about equally divided be-
tween prairie and tmbered land. Upon the
former homes may be made quicker and easier,
but the latter offers many compensating advan-
tages for the harder labor which it demands.
Government lands are available for free
homesteads in Alabama, Arkansas Arizona,
California, Colorado, Dakota, Florida, Idaho,
Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis-
sissippi, Missouri Montana, Nebraska Nevada,
New Mexico. Oregon Utah, Washington Wis
consin, and Wyoming. Texas has no free lands.
When she won her independence, at the saber's
and when the compact of union with the other
States was formed she retained her proprietor
ship. The lands OF Alaska are not open to set
Element, and no title to any Of them, save such
narrowed and uncertain interests may be de-
rived from old Russian grants, can be obtained.
There is fiction that some vacant lands
remain untaken in Indiana and Illinois, but
1t has no foundation. A few undesirable
quarter-sections may be found in remote parts
OF Iowa Within the vast public domain
found every variety OF soil and climate, and
every condition which men regard as conducive
to prosperous rural life. The opportunity for
choice is almost unlimited.
Free homes may be acquired from the gov
eminent domain in two ways-by homestead
and by timber culture entries. The first of
these ways is general in its application, while
the second is available only in the prairie
countries. The homestead law enables actual
settlers to secure title to not more than 100
acres each, provided the homesteader be 81
years old, or the head Of family and citizen
of the United States, or one who has legally
declared his intention to become citizen.
The settlement must be actual and for the
purpose of cultivation. To complete title
the homesteader must within six months
after entry begin to live on the land, and must
continue his residence there for five years with
out intermisson. II the settler has served in
the army or navy of the United States. and been
honorably discharged the period of such SER
vice is deducted from the FIVE years Of resi-
dence, but the residence must last Mt least one
year. Soldiers DISCHARGED because of wounds
are entitled to deduct the entire term Of their
enlistment Stock raising and dairying are con-
strued as cultivation. The land Office fees for
made, are: In Alabama, Arkansas. Dakota,
Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska, land within
the limits or "a railroad grant, for leo acres.
els; for so acres, 50 for forty acres, 81 land
outside the limits of II railroad grant for 160
acres S14 for 80 acres 81 for 40 acres Sc In
Arizona, California, Colorado Idaho, Montana
Nevada, New Mexico Oregon, Utah shing-
ton, Wyoming, and Wisconsin, land within the
limits of railroad grant for 100 acres, SD; for
80 acres, s1l for 40 acres IS; land outside the
limit of II railroad grant for 160 acres, SIC for
80 acres, for 40 acres, $3.50. The fees for final
proof in the hrst-named States are 81, and in
the last-named States IS for 100 acres of land
outside the railway limit, and double these for
land within such. limit, smaller tracts being
charged proportionally
Ali Government lands in Arkansas and Mis-
souri,, all United States lands in Michigan.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Kansas, except odd
numbered sections within the limits of railroad
grants, made since January l, 1851, and all Gov
eminent land in all other States and Territories
which does not fall under the above exception,
and which is not reserved or designated as coal
or mineral land, are open to homestead entry.
It is not necessary that Government surveys
should precede settlement alth ugh they must
be made before title cum be perfected. The set
tier on unsurveyed land acquires preferred
right TO enter it.
Upon the prairie lands 100 acres may be ac-
quired under the timber-culture law, the quail
fcutions Of the settler being the same as for
homestead. The fees in this case are Sl4 ut the
time of entry and "a when the final proof is
made. No distinction is made as regards lands
within without the limits of railroad grants.
the cultivation of a stated area OF forest trees
per year. Lands acquired under oither OF the
above laws not subject TO the debts OF the
settler made prior to their acquisition. Under
the desert-land law $40 acres can be acquired
by payment of % cents per acre down. the con-
struction of means of irrigation, and the pay
ment Of 81 per acre mt the end of three years
The entries of Government land We're, in
round numbers, Coz acres in 1888, 5000
O)O acres in 1874, and 100000 in 1895. At this
rate the yailable area including reserves,
will lie exhausted within the ncxt two decades
In addition to the Government lands, various
States offer TO settlers at nominal prices, rang
ing from six cents TO rs many dollars per acre,
IS 800. 900 acres of desirable lands.
There is held in reserve by the Federal Gov
eminent oil tho vast territory of Alaska, and
about 81. so 900 acres of Indian reservations,
exclusive of Indian Territory and Oklahoma.
The different Territories also hold 23,SO0,-
OJO acres Of land for the benefit of their
school funds when they shall become
States. These reserve areas will be further
increased by some 5000. 600 acres which is now
salt marshes, but which can be recovered from
the seas Several million acres will also be
added to the free domain Il rough fOrfeitures Of
railway grants. The lands of Alaska are OF
uncertain availability, but that possession will
afford at least S00Oo,0O0 acres susceptible of
modified cultivation. The Indian reservati ons
are choice farming sections and the re-
served to the Territories partake OF oil the
orfa fica of ofo In, uhf oh