River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-02-06
NORTH DAKOTA LETTER.
SEyNorP NJ d.. JAM. rs

SEYMoUR, N. D., JAM, 1890.
EDITOR JOURNAL: The year 1889 has
spotted" record. While some To-
calities have suffered from floods.
others have suffered from drought.
While some parts of North Dakota
have had abundant crops, other parts
have suffered from drought. The
eastern part along the Red River and
Bots de Sioux has produced the most
abundant crops, of the finest quality
from 25 to 30 bushels of wheat per
acre; while further west, along the
James River. the crops of all kinds
(but corn did not pay the expense of
production. Corn has been good
everywhere. Hail in few local..
ties did con siderable damage, but the
state in general was exempt. With a
rainfall 20 inches during the growing
season, North Dakota could produce
wheat to feed the world.
Stock raising has made rapid pro-
gress during the year, but the low
price of beef makes that branch of
farming less profitable than formerly.
In the central part of the state sheep
, raising is taking the lead. There is
no part of the United States where
the natural grass has such growing
and fattening properties as in North
nGKAfo ~ fha ~ or
is reduced to the minimum. Stock
will require no feed till snow covers
the grass; and as soon as the snow
melts in the spring they will do well
on the old grass. This is in a great
measure owing to so little rain in the
fall, and the great amount OF Buffalo
grass which is made better by frost
if not damaged by rain.
This county of Richland has had "A
steady growth during the past year,
particularly the southern part adjoin-
ing the Sissiton Reservation, the open
ing of which to settlement in the
spring although the greater part is in
South Dakota) will add to the general
prosperity.
The admission of the State into the
Union will no doubt encourage immi-
grafton and manufacturing, although
the burden of Statehood creates ad-
| ditional expense.
The opening of the vast coal fields
on the Missouri river will be a great
saving both to the people and the
| State. The cost will be less to the
people and the money will be retained
| in the State. The sale and leasing of
part of the school lands will mater
tally lessen our taxes, as fully one half
of our tax is for the support of the
| common school.
There has been but little snow fall
this winter (Jan. 26th) and up till a
few days ago there has been no wind
to blow the snow, so that four inches
of snow makes fair sleighing.
My accompanying weather table will
show the amount of rain and snow
fall for the past year.
The health has been very good till
about two weeks ago when the grip"
in mild form made us call, but is
mostly thing of the past, with no
fatal cases. AS we have had no rain
since the l4th of September, our dry
az 10 NOT al IN no
grip" The potato and oat crop has
been generally light, and Pierce and
st. Croix counties surplus will find a
good market here in the spring if the
railroads will not take too much for
carrying them. Oats are worth 80
cents per bu., and potatoes go cents,
and it will require considerable i'm
portation of both before we have
another crop. Butter is worth from
5 to 10 cents per h.; eggs 25 cents per
doz.; fresh pork, dressed, cents per
h., and beef, by the quarter, from 3
to cents; live weight from = to 2.
The coolest day this winter was the
2lst inst, 80 below. Yesterday and
to-day, about 35 above.
AS you are aware, the vote of the
people in satisfying the prohibition
clause of the constitution indicates
the character of our citizens, and the
legislature has provided penalties for
its enforcement.
A table showing the highest, lowest
and average temperature, also the rain
and snow fall each month during the
year 1889 in the southeast North Da-
kota:
Rain. Snow.
H, L. Az. In. In.
January ......4oa 22b 15a u
February S0 30 10
March az IA 25 O q