The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-03-19
MINNESOTA'S RESOURCES

In a wellwritten article advocating
a liberal appropriation for advertising
Minnesota's resources at the coming
Columbian exposition, tho Mankato
Free Press recounts some of these re-
sources:
It has been contended by some that
we should not exert ourselves to induce
immigration. A business man who
would sit down in his Office and make
no exertion to build up his trade would
deserve to 60 into bankruptcy. What
is true of the individual is to an extent
true of commonwealth. lis our duty,
as loyal citizens, to do what we can in
an honest way to build up our indus
tries, expand our trade and settle our
vacant lands. We have an empire here
dazzling in extent, and bewildering in
possibilities. When one stops to COM
pute the territory which lies under our
control and dissect it he is astonished
at the opportunities open for capital
and labor.
The acreage in the state in round
numbers is 81, 100000. There are about
100000 farms of, say 200 acres
each, 2O,OOO,OOO; leaving in prairie
land uncultivated some 100000
acres. Now the fact is that out of near
ly 100000 aces of tillable lands less
than 100000 were under cultivation
in 1890, and only 100000 divided
into farms. It will be seen that over
one-half of the tillable soil of the state
still remains foreign to civilization, so
to speak, and over 100000 unac-
quainted with the pillow.
But this is not all; we have of pine
lands, valuable for timber, 100000
acres, bearing timber amounting to, in
feet, at least 2O,OOO,OOO,OOO, worth on
the stump in dollars 100000. Then
we have in mixed wood timber lands
covering about 100000 acres valued
at not less than the pine, which would
amount in dollars to another 60, OOO,O 900.
In mineral resources our state bids
fair to surprise the world. In iron our
wealth rivals, if indeed it does not ex-
coed, that of Pennsylvania. Shipments
last year amounted to $4,000 tons, and
this is but the beginning of what is
destined to be mighty industry that
will give employment to thousands of
workmen and millions of capital. And
yet this fact is known to but compar-
atively few people.
And then look at our great stone in
dustries. We have some as fine build
ing stone as we're ever quarried and in
inexhaustible quantities. Thousands
of acres of undeveloped quarries are
lying dormant awaiting the advent OF
capital. Cement rock abounds in linn
itless quantities, and yet we have but
one cement works in the state; but let
it be known that that one one is great
credit to us aud it's products are equal
if not superior to anything in this coun-
| try. We have acres of sand suitable
for glass and yet no such industry is
found on our soil. One might go on
enumerating indefinitely but these are
sufficient to remind us that Minnesota
is provided with riches of all kinds and
only needs the civilizing hand of mar
to lay hold of her dormant and unde
veloped resources to prove her worth
The finest farming and grazing lands
under the canopy Of heaven are herr
to be found. No land was ever vc UGH
safed to man more adaptable to tn,
raising of stock. No state in the North
west cluster is better adapted to sheer
husbandry than is Minnesota for thu
clear, cold, dry atmosphere affords tn,
amplest development and health t.
flock and fleece.
With all these advantages lying op
en- for the capitalist and homeseeker
with splendid churches, improved
highways, substantial bridges and al
that 60 to make the pathway of Lift