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


Put Forth Her Claims-The Best
Climate in the World, the Best Soil
Upon the Footstool Waiting to be
Developed-A Rich Country.
The upland pruiries along the $500"
railway in North Dakota are among
the most productive lands in the
Northwest; the climatic conditions
which cause failure of crops in some
localities do not in any considerable
degree obtain the belt Of lands tribu-
tary to this road. The prevailing winds
of the central part Of the Uuited
States, which are usually from the
southwest, are met by the cool, moist
winds of the northwest; the latter pre-
dominating, these two currents meet at
an angle, diverge and pass in line
almos parallel with and along the line
of this railway. The hot, dry current
from the southwest, meeting the cool,
moist winds from the northwest,
causes greater amount of precipita-
ton, resulting in the most favorable
crop conditions.
The objection Is frequently made by
the home seeker that the climate of
the Northwest is too cold to live in and
be successful. 1t is not strange that the
residents of states bordering upon the
great inland lakes and the Atlantic
seaboard, when chilled to the bone in
the damp atmosphere of those regions
at Il temperature of to II degrees be-
low zero, Fahrenheit, should think
that in temperature of 30 degrees be-
low in the Northwest that they would
perish, never having had the expert
ence to prove that the cold Of the low
attitudes bordering upon a large ex-
tent of water, is much more intense
and difficult to bear than the dry cold
of the high. sunny attitudes Of the
Northwest. People dressed to ride in
the cold of the Middle and New Eng
land states, and shivering with cold at
10, or even 5, degrees below zero, will,
if dressed the same, be comfortable in
North Dakota at 80 degrees below in
calm, still day. 1t is only when the
wind is blowing at high rate that the
intense cold of the Northwest is felt,
and there are but few days Of such
weather in the winter. 1t is the light
ness, dryness and purity of the atmos-
phere that makes the climate of Min
nesota and North Dakota one Of the
most delightful and healthful to live
in. Fever and ague and other zymotic
diseases are practically unknown.
Physicians are perhaps the only class
who complain of their lack of oppor-
tunities for business.
The prairies of North Dakota are
covered with a rich, dark drift of allu-
vial loan from one to four feet deep,
under which is clay subsoil which
has the property Of holding moisture
to wonderful degree and giving it
out as needed for the growing crops.
1t contains practically inexhaustible
supply Of the soil ingredients most val
liable for agriculture, namely, soluble
silica, lime, potash, soda, phosphoric
acid, nitrogen and vegetable humus.
There is no better soil in the world for
general farming purposes, and none so
we'll adapted for the raising Of wheat
and other small grains. 1t is easily
pulverized and after the prairie sod
is once broken cultivation is done with
comparatively little labor. The effect
of deep winter freezing and the rising
Of the moisture to the surface in the
spring thaw is to mingle the rich nat
ural fertilizers Of the subsoil with the
top soil. so that the natural process Of
fertilization is constantly going on.
If Dakota farmers will adopt the ra-
tional and scientific methods Of cult
waiting this fertile soil so ably advo-
Gated by Mr.. H. w. Campbell Of South
Dakota, editor Of Western Soil Gull
ture, who, by years of practical tests,
has demonstrated the value of his
methods, it may be confidently assert
IL HI IN IN
creased yields and improved quality Of
a marked advance in farm values.
farming, by which dependence will
not be had solely upon the wheat crop,
will make North Dakota one Of the
richest states in the Union.
All kinds Of crops, including corn,
are successfully grown. There is no
no country where vegetables Of all
kirtds are more productive. Small
fruits, such as currants, gooseberries,
raspberries and Strawberries, are sue
cessfully grown and yield abundantly.
Buckwheat, hops, timothy and millet
are grown and broom corn furnishes a
better brush and more salable than in
more southern ATTITUDES.
The yield of all crops the present
season along the $500" line has been
very large. Many fields Of wheat have
produced from thirty to forty bushels
per acre, and the average is above
twenty bushels.
The stock industry is in its infancy,
but there is no country where stock is
more healthy or thrives better than
in this portion of North Dakota, es-
pecially along the Mouse and Des Laos
rivers in Ward county. Buyers at the
Twin City stock yards report that the
best cattle received this season are
coming from Northwestern Dakota.
The native grasses are highly nutri-
tious. The whole surface Of the prair-
les is covered, in a state of nature,
with a thick growth Of buffalo grass,
bunch grass and blue joint grass
mingled, the bunch grass predolnin-
ating in the western part of North
Dakota.
The conditions are also very favora-
bic for successful dairying in North
Dakota. Extensive grazing ranges,
covered with rich grasses, an abund-
ance Of good water and ready markets