The Press., 1894-05-24
LETTER FROM NORTH DAKOTA.

Cooperstown, N Dakota, May H. 1894.
 It was the 20th of March when my last letter was written, and we took the oc- casion to make few observations on the weather. We were at that time in the midst of changes, and were looking out for the forecasting for the spring months The 18th was cloudy and windy; the wind worked around from the N. E. to the s. B. The next day the wind was N. E. and N., with quite stormy day. The 21st was also stormy. Snow fell, and the wind was strong, blowing from the north- east. We calculated on wet spring, with more or less wind from the north east and the southeast. The last Friday of the month gave the same indications for April. Now, as matter of fact, this section received good soaking in April Snow and rain both came in good earnest, and the ground was put in fine condition for the sowing of the crops. Not for years has there been so much moisture in the ground. 1t was all needed, as the J better. The spring is favorable to good crops. April was somewhat windy, but now it is past we do not recall it with dis agreeable sensations. Within week we have had several days most unpleasana,t a, to be out in. Wind storms have prevaHed. North and south, in fact, nearly all around us, huge clouds of sand and dirt have rolled over the earth and filled the air, black and dense. Fields have been swept clean, grain blown out of drills, and the young and tender blades, just up, blasted. This is great country for little whirl- winds. They come springing up on the grass and plowed lands without law or or der, and whirl high in the air and bowl along the ground at reckless speed. They seldom do much damage, unless they approach your dwelling, when you must hasten and close all the openings, or be prepared for house-cleaning. House. keepers grumble and complain because it is so difficult to keep the house clean. The fine dirt will sift through window castings, and everywhere else the air cir culates. Wash days have to be selected. No use to put a wash out in much of a wind. Your clothes will surely be pep pered with the black soil that is so finely pulverized, and unless your line is strong it will break with the inevitable result which we need not describe.
 unrfh Iza There are many beautiful days. The wind does not blow all the time. There is very little mud. Roads are usually good. Wild fowl is abundant We have been surprised at the vast focks of geese ducks and cranes which fill up this coun. Itry. They begin to arrive at the first in | Idication of spring, and are themselves the l first sure signs of it's approach. The i large gray goose stops with us, while oth. CTS go on into still higher attitudes.
 Prairie chickens are unusually numer. ous this spring. l am told that they are on the increase in spite of the hunters When there are so many after them ir the fall, and the ground is so thoroughly gone over as it usually is, the mystery is to understand how so many escape anC survive the long winters. They usually shelter in the timber along the river bot toms and about the stacks left in the | fields.
 Gophers are numerous, and a great pest. Some counties pay a bounty fol every tail brought in. In Ramsey coun ty on single quarter section of land two boys caught during April over three thousand. Over thirty-five thousand were taken in that county. The boys take them in snares placed over their holes, ol shoot them as they come out. The badger is another pest. He is dangerous fel low. He digs his hole in the roads in tht fields; and, unless you are careful ant on the lookout, you are apt to drive into his hole, when there is danger of broker limbs, either your own or your teams.
 There are many improvements being made about the town and the country
 The season Is so favorable many trees ar'
 being planted and successfully cultivated
 Year by year the country is improving Those here to get homes and stay il them are the ones to succeed. The star
 in many cases has been most difficult
 A man, who is now possessed of mucl
 land and comfortable buildings, caQe il
 here with large family from Canada
 few years ago with hardly anything. Il
 buying team or machinery he gave hi
 he paid $80 on it. At the end of anothe
 year he paid $235, making in ull $9O in
 terest on the note in eighteen months
 This samples the experience of goo'
 many who have to draw on the bank.
 + O. P. CHAMPLIN.