Morris tribune., 1890-10-01

ed for visit to the "Big Farm" as it is
usually called here, and which is worthy
of more extended historical as we'll as
material description. About dozen
years ago, two Boston capitalists, being
captivated with the beauty of the sur
rounding country and the proven fertil-
| ity of the soil, bought a large tract OF
land and opened a bonanza wheat farm
Large buildings were erected, machinery
by the car loads was ordered, and vast
army of help of every name and nation
was marshalled under the usual cate
CORY of Superintendent, Assistant Sup.
erintendent, foreman, and assistant
foreman, Riding Boss," which latter
was terror only when in sight or when
his prancing steed accidentally over
turned shocks of wheat and disclosed
the resting place of tired laborers.
Twelve thousand acres were included
in what proved a gigantic failure and
then the farm passed into the hands OF
Rev. Mr.. Beard of Minneapolis, who
could be satisfied only with a chance to
drop $35, 900 in an immense dairy project,
and again like the shifting scenes of a
panorama, the DIR. and the dairy gave
way to still grander schemes as the
Northwestern Agricultural Stock and
Lumber Co. took up the work other
hands were too willing to drop, and de-
veloped the greatest stock farm west of
Chicago, and built and equipped one OF
| the finest sets of buildings in America,
and filled them with the finest breeds OF
horses and cattle. The company spared
no expense to make the project success,
but being lavish instead of practical
the scheme was failure, and the mag,
nificent herds of blooded stock were scat
tered and the empty barns and neaely
deserted premises now await an
other change. No prettier place for an
ideal farm could be imagined. A resi-
dence of almost palatial splendor stands
at the turn of the shaded drive and looks
out upon rs fair a scene as can be found
among the many beautiful scenes of fair
Minnesota.
Down the broad southern slope are a
multitude of homes with fields of grain
and corn and shady groves that practical
farmers have been building for them
selves and by industry and econmy ad-
ding little to their possessions each
year, in this region where crop failure
I trs1r Of IN hn
management of the "Big Farm" Con
| vincing proofs are plenty that farming
has paid well in Stevens county since its
settlement.
To the southwest Page Lake washes
its gravelly shores and herds of cows go
trooping down to its waters. Toward
the southeast Lake Emily dimples and
waves in the distance, and shimmers
with the rays that the declining sun
slants through the leafy canopy of trees
that surround it. The historic Chippe.
wa river winds farther away In the dis
tance, till finally the green groves and
broad fields, blend in the dark blue of
Minnesota's sky. 1t is picture to be
remembered by stranger and rever-
enced and loved by those who call this
land their home.
To-day we saw threshing ssccene that
for intense activity should be specially
recognfAed' 6fTvfag into field of 14O
acres OF fine Wheat in nhe shock, we waited
for the whistle of the traction engine as
it wheeled into sight around a clump
willows and steamed gracefully into the
arena, to become the object of the most
solicitous attention of about twenty-five
men. Twenty minutes from the time we
saw it coming into the field, a stream of
golden grain was pouring into the half
bushel as fast as one man could pour it
into sacks held by another man. The
separator was Buffalo Pitts machine
with forty inch cylinder, and fifty SIX
inch apron. A load is standing at each
table from which the driver pitches and
gets out of the way as quickly as he can
make the requisite motions.
Two band cutters, one at either hand
of the feeder stand on an extension of
the same platform with the latter, and
the bundles roll in from either side as
fast as the participants in the affair can
discharge their onerous duties. Indeed,
it seemed to us that no one could do the
part allotted to him quite fast enough.
As the owner wished to scatter and burn
the straw, the extension to the straw
carrier was removed. This ingenious
contrivance consists of second carrier,
mounted on trucks and swings on piv-
OF high enough to connect with
the machine, and slowly swings backs
ward and forward and stacks the straw
without assistance. Instead, horse
was hitched to either end of long tim
Der which was ridden by very active as
well as very dusty young man. The
horses were far enough apart to allow
one to go on either side of the pile of
straw as it accumulates, and the long
timber and dusty youth sweep grandly
off in one huge pile of straw, chaff, dust
and discomfort to unload and return
again and again. All were happy but
him, and upon our solicitous inquiry he
"allowed he could stand it," much to
our relief. Eighty minutes from the time
the engine with its little straw fuel at
tachmcnt came into the field, although
four stops had to bemade to do needed
dentistrYfor the hungry monster, 100 bu-
shells of No. Northern wheat was on its
way to the elevator and sold for eighty
eight cents per bushel.,
For what we have seen we are CRATE
full to little business affair that brought
me here, and with sincere wish that
the trees, grass and golden grain will
wave as proudly every coming year,
peace and prosperity to friend or stran-
ger, we will bid Minnesota and our read
ers good bye, and go back to Dakota to-
morrow.
Yours very Respectfully,
GEORGE E. CLARK.
To All Whom 1t May Concern.