Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-12-26

away luC VI luc sui anu Tic
treasures Of the vine. A glance at the
cific railroad crosses North Dakota in
practically a straight line from east to
west, dividing the state into two parts.
About one-third of the state lies south
Of the railroad and two-thirds north
of it. The Northern Pacific enters Da-
kota at Fargo, crossing the Red river.
Before the line reaches the western
boundary Of the state three other
streams are crossed. The first is the
famous James river, the second the
Missouri and the third the Little Mis-
souri,. 1t is said by competent judges
that the soil in the valleys Of these
streams, particularly those Of the Red
and James rivers. is the most pro-
ductive in the world. The fame Of
the Dakota wheat belt has spread
! Everywhere that newspapers are Cir
sculated. Great as was the task of
building the Northern Pacific railroad,
the world has been benefited, and civ
flization has reaped the reward Of en-
terprise.
AS natural consequence, the settle
ments in North Dakota are principally
along the line Of the Northern Pacific
railroad. Fargo, the metropolis Of
North Dakota. is one Of the most char
acteristic of cities. 1t is virtually
built of brick and granite. In 1898
disastrous fire swept away the business
portion Of the city, but on the ashes
was built substantial and enduring
blocks of brick and stone that are prac-
tically indestructable.
At the very time that banks and 9TH
er enterprises were falling in a COM
mon ruin in every part of the United
States in 1898, Fargo was rebuilding
itself. There was the same assurance
that the buildings would rise again as
that another crop Of wheat should grow
in the valleys. Less than two years
have passed since the fire. and vet
there is scarcely a trace Of the devas-
tation wrought by the flames. This
shows the recuperative power of a
country that is rich in it's productive
ness.
History has only repeated itself in
the natural fame of North Dakota as
a wheat raising country. 1t was the
same with other new states. The first
crops of Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin
were also wheat. There is probably
good reason for this. Wheat is staple
product and is the easiest to raise and
market. 1t is invarible the initial prod
uct Of every new country, and North
Dakota was no exception to the rule.
Again does history repeat itself. for
sified farming, with quite as rapid
progress as was recorded in the older
states.
While wheat has given Dakota
much OF it's TaIle, the industry or
stock raising is scarcely in second
place, so far as financial returns are
concerned. The entire western pOr-
ton of the state is an ideal grazing
country. The bad Lands,'' with their
fantastic scenery, are unexcelled for
stock raising. They were probably
called bad Lands from purely ag
ricultural point Of view, for the grass
that grows among the mounds con-
tains all the nutriment that is found
in the richest grasses of tropical eli
mate. The abrupt bluffs furnish COM
splete shelter for stock during storm,
and the animals thrive until they are
Did enough te market without artifi-
fials shelter and without hay, for they
find good grazing all the year round.
In the matter of education, North
Dakota is far in advance of many
other new states. Splendid schools
and colleges are maintained. The peo-
pie of the state came from portions Of
the country where the most modern
school systems had been perfected,
and it was but natural for them to en-
graft in the educational plans Of the
new state the very elements that
were the result of years Of study and
discipline in their former homes. A
law abiding people is always church
loving people. and North Dakota is
fully up to the average in it's ecclesi-
astical work. It's schools must always
prosper, for out Of each township is
set apart the school section to main
tain public education. The churches
may not be as large as they are in
older states, but the congregations are
fully as sincere, and all the different
denominations are represented.
On the question of diversified farm
ing it has been demonstrated that
corn, potatoes, cabbages and all veg
7etables may be grown with profit In
the same soil that produces such a
bountiful supply of wheat. 1t may be
entirely possible that some care must
be takeE in regard to the kind Of corn
planted, for successful farmers study
the species of product that will grow
10 the DeSC advantage IN a particular
climate. Corn has been raised sue
cessfully in North Dakota as far west
as Casselton, and could be raised in
any part Of the state should the prop
er seed be selected. Diversified
farming is yet in it's infancy, so that
figures cannot be given to show the
yield Of products.
Probably the first thing prospec-
tive settler in North Dakota would
think about would be the question Of
fuel. So far as wood is concerned, this
fuel is brought from Minnesota and
sold at prices ranging from 81 to IS
for hard maple wood. The principal
fuel, however, is the native Ignite
coal that can be said to be at every
farmers door. In the geological form
alton of the soil of North Dakota there
Is Ignite coal in great abundance. 1t
can be seen cropping out of the hill
sides in the western part of the state
in many places. At railroad stations
the price of Ignite coal for fuel ranges
from $3.50 to $3.50 per ton. Farmers
can drive to the mines and get the coal
mt prices ranging from 81 to $l.5O per
ton.