St. Paul daily globe., 1888-05-05
TRADE IN THE NORTHWEST
Reports from Many Towns On the
Business Outlook.
SEEDING WELL ADVANCED.
Dakota and Minnesota Towns Report
That They are Growing
S0undlY.

The following are extracts from
special dispatches to the mercantile
agency of r. G. Dun & Co., regarding
the financial business and agricultural
situation in the Northwest:
PRESTON, MINI.
Trade is very quiet, the last two
months particularly so, and merchants
look forward to quiet summer, unless
they extend credit. This spring is cold
and backward and very wet, which is
very favorable turn, especially on the
chinch bugs, as we hope to rid ourselves
of them. There is new interest and
active competition ON fresh butter and
eggs in this vicinity.
ROCHESTER,, MINI.
The winter and spring trade of our
merchants has been below their eX-
pectatiOns, caused by low prices for
farm products, also by the shortened
hay and grain crops of last season for
want of rain in season. There is con-
siderable building already commenced,
and laborers find steady employment.
Deposits in banks are up to the average,
and money is readily obtained on first
class security at lower rates. Demand
for money is light. About One-third of
small grain sOWn, and the recent severe
rain will keep back the balance for a
few days. The farming hereabouts is
largely that of dairy and stock raising,
and the season for such farming is thus
far favorable. Pastures are already in
condition for stock. More mortgages
released from record than new ones
made during the last year. Lands av-
erage lower in price than year ago.
ALBERT LEA, MINI,
Trade is dull and merchants COM
planning that they are not making any
money, and say they can barely keep
even. Competition is so great that all
are disabled in the fight. Farmers have
nearly all their wheat and oats sown,
but as to corn and potatoes, none are
planted. Hay is very scarce in this
vicinity, and cattle have had to be turned
out to pasture. Money is in good de-
mand i'll this vicinity.
RED LAKE FALLS, MINI.
This town is improving slowly but
steadily. The volume of trade for 1887
was probably three times as large as
ever before, owing to the increased rail-
road facilities. Financially farmers are
also improving their condition, and
while very late in spring work, acreage
is good. Considerable money has been
spent here this year i'll improvements on
manufacturing interests, say S25, 900 to
$30, 1000.
ALEXANDRIA, MINI.
There is much greater demand for
money this spring than last, owing to
the small wheat crop of last year and
the present low price for cattle, yet all
borrowers having good character and
security find no difficulty in obtaining
money. Our merchants have had a
os,-iyr o,1I
trade. Seeding mostly finished, with
ground in first-class condition, much
better than last year. Hay very scarce.
ST. CLOUD, MINI.
The financial and commercial interests
OF our town are in very prosperous
and satisfactory condition. We are
growing rapidly ana all new enterprises
are upon sound basis. The country
about is, while suffering little from a
partial failure of last seasons crops,
pushing along with indications of a full
harvest and large gain in population.
MORRISTOWN, MINI.
Our merchants are in better condition
than they were six months ago. Our
Der and brush, has been largely cult
waited, and wheat, oats and corn are now
the principal products. Crop prospects
were never better than they appear at
present. We fear no danger from the
chinch bugs.
HURON, OAK.
Our merchants are in healthy finan-
cial condition, while trade is quiet, yet
we are living within our income. Our
farmers are feeling happy over the pros
poets of good crop. Small grain has
gone into the ground in excellent condi-
ton. The outlook generally is very
promising.
SIOUX FALLS, OAK.
8 In this city and county prospects
were never so good, and business of all
kinds and classes as thriving as at this
time. Our farmers have finished seed
ing, and in a great many instances
wheat and oats are up, showing fine
stand. The weather has been very
favorable, and in our opinion the To-
cality will show most remarkable yield |
in oats, corn, hogs and cattle this year.
JAMESTOWN, OAK.
Bank deposits are so per cent better |
than at the same period last year, bills |
are paid more promptly. the dependency
of the past three years is giving place to
a feeling of confidence. Seeding is ten
days later than last year, but ground |
has not been in such good condition for
five years. Crops are going in in better |
shape. CreamerieS are being established |
at leading centerS in North Dakota, and |
farmers are going more into stock and |
farming.
ABERDEEN, OAK.
Although the season is about two
weeks late in this section, farmers are
making good progress in seeding and
the outlook for good season was never
better. There is more diversity in farm |
ing than was ever before engaged in in
this locality. The crop acreage is in
creased one-fourth. The acreage of |
wheat will be about the same as last |
year. The condition of our merchants |
appears to be very satisfactory.
MINOT, OAK.
We are at point where the Manitoba |
crosses the valley of the Moose river.
Quite large population of our farmers
have been here some five years and |
have raised cattle, and are compare
lively free from debt. Cattle wintered |
well and came out in fine condition.
Seeding is nearly all completed, but
our wealth consists mostly of cattle and
all are becoming prosperous. The peo-
pie of this section all appear to be well
to do and are quite contented.
DICKINSON, OAK.
Our merchants are doing a good bust
ness. We depend principally on rail-
road and stock interests. Our stock
came through without loss during the
past winter. Several creamery and
cheese factories are comm6 n cing opera
lions in this county. The farmers are
we'll ON with their seeding and pros
poets are good.