davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13
The cows PARADISE,
Immense Natural Advantages foE
s~uccessful DairyinE In
North Dakota.
STRONG PLEA FOR THE DAIRY
the States Agricultural
Industries.

In 81 far as the writer Is able to
judge, the dairy industry Of North Da-
kota is just about holding its own. A
poor crop or two will awaken an in
terest in dairying which will gradually
cease as u few good crops are realized.
However, parts of the state are grad
ually increasing the number Of milk
cows, taking up dairying in a small
way and endeavoring to awaken inter-
est III the creamery and cheese factory.
OF the fifty-fOur creameries and cheese
factories in the state, but twenty-three
responded to the inquiries of the COM
missioner Of agriculture. and Of the
t~wcnty-three responses thirteen facto-
ries had suspended operations during
1873. Allowing the same proportion
for the remaining thirty-one factories
there would be in operation twenty
three factories for the year. OF this
number ten factories are found in the
counties Of Sargent, Dickey and RAN
som, all in the southern part Of the
state, where uncertain climatic condi-
tons make wheat raising more or less
a matter of guess work. The factories
in these counties are no longer an ex-
pertinent but are firmly established
and annually distribute thousands Of
dollars among their patrons.
In 1897 417.927 pounds Of cheese and
4.:331.24O pounds of butter were pro-
duced in the state, worth, approx
mately. $GS3 . .16. In 1895 it was es-
timated that at least 5OO.OOO pounds of
butter was shipped out Of the state as
packing stock. This butter is received
at the ladle factories, worked over and
goes on the market as process but
ter" Part of i, at least comes back to
the state to be consumed. the consumer
paying two profits to the middlemen,
two freight rates to the railroad COM
panies, besides a cost of four and a
half cents per pound for r%e-working,
a~ggregating a total cost of nearly eight
cents per pound. Assuming the amount
so treated is but 100000 pounds, the
farmers are losing $4,000 every year
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

gagged in it, both in butter and cheese
factories and in family diaries has
been eminently satisfactory, our rich
native grasses, so rich in their beet
producing qualities, are equally so in
milk-producing quality, and, properly
made. North Dakota butter Is already
acquiring the same reputation for SUI
perior quality that has been gained by
the excellent quality Of our spring
wheat.
For more detailed information as to
the special advantages and opportuni-
ties offered by different localities in
the state to intending settlers, 1 usual
ly refer my correspondents to Hon. H.
u. Thomas, Commissioner Of the De-
partment Of Agriculture and Labor,
Bismarck.
Further than this, l will only say,
after years of observation in other
states and years of residence and ex-
perience in this, 1 know of no agricul-
tural state in the Union that offers as
many opportunities for success in life
to the farmer, the mechanic, to the la
borer or to the capitalist as can be
found in North Dakota.
In this article l am not trying to
boom any particular thing, nor is it
written in the interest Of any particu-
lar locality, but simply stating things
as l know them and as an answer to
the general run of questions in letters
to me from people who have the COM
ing to North Dakota in prospect.
J. B. POWER,
Proprietor Helendale Stock Farm.
Power, n. D.
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13
A LITTLE ADVICE.
Which Prospective Homeseekers and
Present Settlers Will Do
Well to Heed.

When the number of new settlers 10
eating in North Dakota il annually
running into thousands, 1t does not
seem inopportune that we offer a little
advice, not alone to prospective home
seekers, but to present settlers as we'll
The people who emigrate to, and set
tie in any new country, are, for the
greater part, men Of limited means,
who seek new homes to better their
final. cial conditions.
While the soil is %unexcelled in fertil-
ity and productiveness, and we a
safely claim that no country offers
greater opportunities to new settlers,
it still requires good judgment and well
directed industry to achieve even a
competence. Too many settlers imag-
Inc that, because the land is free or
cheap, that all they need to do is to get
possession Of 16O acres and then sit
down and 'take it easy" No sadder
mistake could be made. We frankly
say to progressive settlers that unless
you are willing to endure ven the
slight Inconvenience and hardships
common to all new countries, and be-
side all else, willing to deserve sue
cess by earning it, you should not en-
igrate to North Dakota or anywhere
else.
After living in North Dakota for fif-
teen years and carefully watching its
development, we a say that the man
who is industrious and has even or
binary business ability, will succeed If
he is content to settle down on 100
acres of land. live within his means,
engage in mixed farming and devote
his energies to the development of his
home. A farmer ought to consider
"debt" as n Of the serious dangers in
his new home. We will tell you of a
class of farmers whom we have never
see fail in North D~akota-the first i'm
portant point is to locate right. Then
establish such a home as can be paid
for, and commence to gradually devel-
op the home. Be content to live in an
humble house, even a sod one, as 1t
car be made very comfortable, happy
In the thought that it is yours; raise a
garden, and any sensible farmer knows
that "a good garden is half any farm
er's living;;' commence early to raise
a few horses, cattle, sheep and hogs;
let the housewife have a good poultry
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

by not making better butter. A still
larger amount each year is put upon
the market in such a poor condition
that it nets the producer but eight to
ten cents per pound, while good cream
cry and dairy butter is selling at from
eighteen to twenty cents. 1t is safe to
say that Il farmers lose 500 900 an
nually by not making butter Of a bet
ter quality. A knowledge of the prin-
ciples of up-to-date butter-making Is
needed for Fighting this problem. The
agricultural college early recognized
the Importance Of such education, and
has been and will continue to furnish
instruction necessary to improve the
quality of North Dakota butter. A
number each year are taking advan-
tage of the instruction furnished by
the college, and as the interest in the
subject Increases, the number will be
largely augmented and much benefit
to the state derived therefrom. Large
farmers are continually inquiring for
young men who can successfully man.
age a herd of dairy COWS and make a
marketable article of butter from the
milk produced. Such inquiries tend to
show the extent of the interest being
felt in the dairy industry. The indus
try is but yet in it's infancy. Like the
states of Wisconsin. Minnesota and
Iowa. time will be necessary to de-
velop it to the fullest extent. Until
John Stewart of Delaware county,
Iowa. took first premium on butter in
a worlds competition at Philadelphia,
1876, it was not believed good butter
could be produced west of the Missis-
sippi river. But twenty-three years
have elapsed since that great EXPOSE
ton, and nov more than ten per cent
OF all the butter produced in the United
States Is made in the State of Iowa.
North Dakota Is prominently an agri-
cultural state, and with her immense
natural advantages could fairly rival
h state just quoted. There are over
100000 acres Of land in the state.
Allowing 100000 acres for marshes,
timber lands, etc., there still remain
more than &c. 900 acres, of which
less than 100000 are in farms, leav.
Ing more than 21,OOO,OOO acres upon
whlch h best Of grasses grow luxuri.
antly, making the best Of pasturage
and hay. Millions of pounds of bran,
one OF the best food products for the
production Of milk, to say nothing OF
the oil meal, oats, barley and corn, are
produced annually. Why, the state IL
a veritable garden of Eden for the
bovine race. and yet we find people
who by word and deed declare Nortt
Dakota a and never will become 9
t dairy state. These are the farmers
who will continue to raise wheat, moi
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

the winter months it Is not the place
for stock to shelter behind barbed wire
fences and depend upon q rustic for a
living. The man who tries to raise
live stock that way in North Dakota
will and ought to go "broke," and also
should be sent to the "pen" for cruelty
to dumb animals.
The conditions now governing the
cattle industry Of the United States,
|. e., a smaller number per caphn than
for the last twenty years, nearly 1O,-
100000 head, about 20 per cent less
than six years ago, all this great de.
crease in the face of a rapidly-increas-
ing consuming pOpultion at home, a
steady and largely-increasing export
demand, with no important competition
from any other countries, are all fact
Ors that give an assurance of remuner-
alive prices for many years to come,
and there is no agricultural state in the
Union that, under these conditions, Of
fers as many inducements to stockmen
as does North Dakota, with it's healthy
climate, abundance of meat-producing
grasses, cheap land and cheapness with
which winter feed a be raised.
Prices of land vary. Quality. prox-
Aihlty W INV S anu IdlllOiu StitlOIlS.
amount of improvements. ETC., are all
factors that determine price. In the
Red River valley proper they range
from $15 to $50 per acre; outside the
valley, from S. to SIS. These lands
are sold on easy terms Of payment.
Many Of them can be bought on the
crop-payment plan, /. e., from one-third
to one-half the crop will be taken as
partial payments until the full price
has been paid. In some favorable years
the share Of the crop has paid for the
land in IN and two years. On medi-
um-priced lands n can feel n reason
able assurance Of making his land
clear in four years. The government
lands open for entry are mostly in the
Central and Western part of the state,
and can be taken under the homestead
law.
The main and branch lines of the
Northern Pacific. the Great Northern,
the $500" the Chicago. Milwaukee &
st. Paul and the Northwestern rail-
roads. now well covering the state. at
ford easily-accessible outlets to termin-
al markets. and at all stations are
found elevators for the handling Of
grain and facilities for loading live
stock as well as local markets for the
by-prOducts of the farm.
The space allotted to this article pre-
vents only general reference to the
dairy interests of the state; but 1 can
say that the experience Of those n
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

The crops Of North Dakota are as d.
versif1ed as may be found in any Of the
adjoining states. 1t is true that it has
become known throughout the world
as the land of No. 1 hard. but this is
due to the fact that for years it was the
principal, if not the only crop, grown.
Lately, however. the farmers are turn
ing their attention to diversified farm.
ing and with most satisfactory and
profitable results. Especially is this the
Ease in the Coteaux country. Root
crops Of all kinds grow in abundance
and Of superior quality. Oats. barley,
rye. flax, corn. potatoes and all kinds OF
grasses grow enormous yields.
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13
The DAIRY Cow.
a be Made the Means Of Providing
a Certain and Remunera.
tive Income,

Wheat growing has been made 80
easy by the wonderful improvements
In machinery accomplished in the last
few years, and the market for the
crop is so worldwide and sure, that
the temptation to specialize in that
direction has overcome the wisdom of
experience and led to an abandonment
of those auxiliaries to the farm that
add so much to the variety and COM
fort Of the farmers life. and utilize to
the best advantage his energies and
render his life the most independent
of any of his fellows. The rich soil
of our new land will, for a while. re-
spond satisfactorily to the demands of
a single crop, but the experience of our
neighbors in longer settled parts
proves conclusively that the richest
land will rapidly deteriorate under a
single crop system, and can only be
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

maintained In profitable condition by
a judicious alteration of crops. AS
many of the crops necessary to this
far-away markets with profit, and are
not in demand at home, it becomes
necessary to create a demand for them.
The advantages of the dairy COW for
such purposes are SO many and so ap-
enforce the conclusion. The consump-
ton of ]by-products in the hairy is the
quickest way to realize on them, and
the returns are by far greater than by
other ordinary means.
The dairy also provides for the prof
table employment of labor during the
whole year, and will, to a large
tent, when once adopted, do away
with the present migratory practices
of farm laborers, which is fast de-
grading them into shiftless, unpatriot-
ic and homeless trampa The dairy
also provides for a regular, certain and
remunerative income whereby the
risks Of crop failures are lessened and
their real dangers almost avoided.
The dairy requires for it's successful
operation the most exact regularity,
and in that respect alone is of the
very greatest benefit to the farmer
anu his entire household, in the train
ing of himself and family in orderly,
systematic and business-like methods.
1t also offers to the qualities of skill
and cleanliness their due and proper
reward, and in the encouragement it
gives in this respect alone, it does
more toward the upbuilding of hon
esty and cleanliness in all the affairs
of life than any other calling Of the
farmer.
The skill necessary to build up a
dairy Of fine COWS and to maintain
them in profitable condition and to
convert their products into butter and
cheese is not difficult to acquire, and
when once acquired the person thus
skilled ranks almost as a scientist.
In a long experience l have also known
nom to seriously deny these PROPOSE
lions, and yet few of the farmers prac-
tice them.
Why will we not adopt a system Of
farming that Is admittedly better for
our farms and better for ourselves?
The reason is no doubt found in the
quicker but less certain returns, the
attractions Of the improved machines,
almost human in their operations, and
in the glamour of the bonanza farm
err and the western ambition to at
tempt great undertakings to the neg.
lect Of lesser but more useful and 70.
munerative pursuits.
]. h. BOsARD,
Grand Forks, N. u.
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

had much moro to contend against
They had no markets; they found In
most cases that the land was first to 10
cleared Of dense forests, much Of Il
later must DO ditched and tiled, and
yet, under these adverse conditions.
they became rich. Howl They went
slow, paid a. they went, avoided debt
under any and all circumstances, In
other words, lived within their means,
and the development Of the country
made them rich.
Let u new settlers learn Of them.
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

yard; then, with butter and eggs, poul-
try and vegetables, the farmers living
is provided for; and the stock and
grain raised and sold can be used to
improve the home. Again we say,
avoid debt as you would any danger
Gus thing. Do not imagine that you
must go into debt for a %self-binder as
soon as your first forty acres is to be
harvested; it is far better to exchange
work with some neighbor and let him
purchase high-priced machinery until
you have provided a shelter of some
kind in which to store them when not
in Sc.
Another class of our settlers, full Of
energy and ambition, view with aston
ishment the grand opportunities SUI.
rounding them, and are at once car.
ried away with the desire to become
rich, and SO they make the greatest
mistake Of their lives. Having little
means, they must run in debt for
teams, machinery and seed to put in a
big crop. II they are successful In OBJ
tanning large yields and fair prices, the
years end finds them but little, II any,
better off than in the beginning. Why3
Because they have neglected every
thing else. Go into their garden. 1t II
a mass of weeds and not vegetables.
Look at their poultry yard; the house.
wife has nearly worked herself to
death cooking and caring for hired
help, and had nc time to care for poul.
try; 60 to the barnyards, and no young
cattle, horses, lambs or pigs are seen
growing into money; but when there is
extra help and extra provision needed,
the farmer hurries off to town to buy
butter and meat that his own farm
yard should supply; go out and look
at his costly machinery his large farm
ing operations have made necessary
for him to buy ION TICK" and contem-
plate his machine shed; the broad prai-
ries are the sides of his shed, and the
sky or clouds its roof. This picture is
not overdrawn. Would you call any
man q thrifty farmer who would pay
s13O for a binder, use 1t a couple Of
weeks and then let it stand the bal
c OF the entire year exposed to the
elements? ID 1t any wonder that such
farmers fail? They are certain to do
80 If they should have a poor crop.
Let US tell you how to become rich in
North Dakota. Take a lesson from the
pioneer farmers Of Ohio, Michigan, In
diana, Illinois and other central states,
Everyone knows that these old-timer1
were the "rich old farmers" Of their
respective states. How did they be.
come rich7 They were as poor or poor.
er than thoee now settling here. They
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

When pigs get large enough to eat
(three weeks old there is nothing bet
ter than a thin oatmeal mush, fed
warm four or five times a day. The
pigs like it, especially if a little brown
sugar OF molasses is added, and when
it con es time to wean them they do not
miss the sow.
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13
Fences

In North Dakota the farmer u NOT
required to fence against stock. It y
not allowed to run at large in thu wen
settled districts, and only the pastures
arc fenced. Thus considerable expense
Il saved the new conner, for he n NOT
required to enclose his fields. By such
an arrangement the great expense Of
fencing, a. well a. the necessity thar.
for, u dispensed with,
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13
STOCK RAISING.
This Industry Finds Unparalleled
Advantages In North
Dakota.

If the motto Health is wealth. 10
applicable to the human race, 1t 10
equally SO applied to stock. After nine.
teen years experience In raising stock
In this state I believe I can safely say
that in no state OF territory Of the
United States is stock freer from dis
ease than here in North Dakota. I
have absolutely seen no contagious dis.
ease of any kind whatever among cat.
tie during that time; and when l say
that, all things considered, we can pro.
duce a yearling steer cheaper here on
the average than he can be produced
In any other place in the United Statea
l have only to refer to winters like the
one just past, when at least Is per
cent of the stock on open ranges from
Montana to Texas perish, while in
North Dakota I have yet to hear Of the
first head Of stock perishing from ex.
posure. -,
Now, as to the cost Of production:
I will figure that on the basis of 100
head, taking the cost of 100 cows at $35
per head, making $500; cost of shed
ample to shelter 100 head, 500.
Interest on $500, at 8 per cent. $3.50
Interest and depreciation on
building, at 20 per cent........ 20
Cost of herding, from April 1st to
Dec. ISL 60
Cost Of hay in stack, at 40 cents
per ton q tons Of hay per head,
or AZ tons for COW and calf, or
40 tons hay at 40 cents per toni $50
Cost of nan and board for four
winter months to care for above
amount Of stock, at $25 per
mOQCn I'M
Total cost of 100 head of vaor.
The Dickinson press., 1899-05-13

--~oS pO3V
To raise a steer the second year, you
leave of the item of interest on cost OF
COW, $3.50, and one and a half tons Of
hay, at 40 cents per ton. making in all
$40; deduct this amount from $6.4A
leaving s., the cost of caring for a steer
the second year, and making q two.
year-old steer cost $9.4O.
I would say In explanation Of the
cost Of hay, that for several years I
have kept an itemized account Of cut.
ting and stacking the same, allowing
three dollars per day for each man or
boy and team, and that forty cents per
ton has been rather over than under
the cost A the items of cost of all
else, except hay and shelter, is about
h same here as on the open range,
will allow the reader to form his own
conclusions which place to risk here.
conclusions which place to risk. I am
satisfied to take my chances here.
While I put the amount of hay per
head at three tons, 1 have seldom
found it necessary to feed that amount;
but with that amount Of hay on
hand In the fall, a stockman can feel
safe that his stock are not going to
suffer under any circumstances. This
winter I do not think stock are going
to consume an average Of two tons per
head.
I do not pretend to say that stock can
be raised ~ cheaply in the agricultural
portions Of North Dakota as 1 have
here figured, but lying between the
James river and the Missouri river 10
an extensive tract Of hilly, rough.
rugged country, termed the Coteaux do
Missouri, extending through the state
from north to south, which is entirely
unfit for agricultural purposes, but
where stock can be raised in innumer.
able quantities.
What 1 have said of cattle is equally
applicable to sheep, except that ten
tons of hay is ample for 100 head Of
sheep.
As to the assertion that our winter,
In North Dakota are too long to feed
stock, I will say that I have raised
stock both in Ohio and Iowa, and find
that u feeding season does not aver
age as long here as in those states.
Any further information that I car
give any n looking for a location for
a stock ranch will be cheerfully fur.
nished.
J, A. ATKINSON, Farmer,
Sykeston, N. D.
Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-01-27
THE WEEK In TRADE
BUSINESS WORLD AS SEEN eY
BRADSTREET'S.
Sixty Guests Have Sensational Els.
capcs from Il Burning Hotel in
Cincinnati Grain Men Arrested
at Kansas City-Othcr Items.
Bradstrcct's Weekly Review,

Bradstrcet's Weekly Review.
Bradstrcet's says: The continued strength
of staple values accumulated this week by
further advances in iron and steel and other
metals, in cotton at the south and i'm lum-
her at some western points, has undoubt-
eddy added to the confidence with which
the outlook for the ensuing yearis regarded.
That this confidence has a fair basis in fact
will be gathered from the reports received
from the iron and cotton trades, the firm
ness in cotton goods being of considerable
interest in view of the depression ruling
throughout the larger part of last year.
Little change is reported in the market
for cereals. The market for cash wheat
still reflects the commanding position held
by the United States. Notwithstanding
the predictions of near approaching COM
petition from Argentina and from Russia,
shipments, particularly from the latter, do
not all accord with the liberal estimates of
production. Adviccs as to general dis
tributive trade are quite favorable.
Raw wool is dull but steady. The out
look i'll the boot and shoe trade is regarded
as good. Business failures in the United
states number only 262 against SOl a week
ago and SO9 a year ago. Failures in Cam
ada number 80, against 81 last week and
~ in this week a year ago.