The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-24

Force Up Prices, Dut ZOE ISrAhsa-
nent Effect the Remedy Is the
Creation of an Increased Demand
-Grain Growers Convention Ad-
iourns After a Successful Session.
FARGO, n. D., March 23.-(Special.)-
The convention Of the Grain Growers as
sociation closed this evening after ses-
sion covering three days, which cannot
bat prove OF great benefit to the farmers
of the Northwest. The closing day was
the most important and the attendance
large from the opening, was greatly aug
mented today by those anxious to hear
President j. ]. Hill. Of the Great North
ern, whose address was the principal
feature of the programme for this after
noon.
Mr.. Hill arrived early this afternoon
He was met at the depot by a reception
committee and walked to the opera house
with the visiting farmers and delegates.
The meeting was called to order at
o'clock by Chairman Johnson, who in
troduced Mr. Hill and paid high tribute
10 him as having done more than any
the Northwest This statement was
greeted with applause which grew into
an ovation as Mr.. Hill rose to respond.
MIR. HILLS ADDRESS.
Twenty nine years ago on the GATE OF
his first visit to Fargo, Mr.. Hill said,
there were only three white families
north OF Ft Abercrombe He was told
by st. Paul people that this country was
too sour and wet for settlement When
he first suggested it would prove great
AGRICULTURAL section, his friends thought
the country might do for grazing in dry
years. Mr. Hill spoke of his attempt to
interest the people of the valley IN drain
age and of the meeting held in Crookston.
The map adopted then. he said had since
been used for the work. The differences
in elevations in the valley were men
toned as showing that practically drain
age was easy. The hard task, Mr.. Hill
continued, was to arouse public interest
and to secure legislative approval. After
his company had paid $4,000 for surveys,
with the promise Of $4,000 more. the state
of Minnesota finally appropriated 100000.
The citizens on the Minnesota side of the
valley, MIR. Hill asserted, owed Ezra Val
entine, of Breckenridge, a greater debt
in this respect than they could ever re-
pay. Lands that had been sold at 81 and
abandoned were now being taken up and
sold at from s12 to sis per acre since
drainage. lie hoped the people on this
side would take up the question, as moth
ing would be of greater value. The ques-
ton of data was discussed and general
all was promised. While the Great
Northern had land grants In Minnesota
and Montana, more than in North Da-
kota, the road was. Mr.. Hill assured his
hearers, as eager 10 help the cause along
In this state as In Minnesota.
GRAIN THE GREAT INDUSTRY.
Turning to the subject of grain, Mr.
Hill spoke of wheat growing as having
been the great industry of the valley fol
years ard probably to continue for many
years more. Pure seed was a necessity
Summer following and plowing under
fertilizers would keep the land up
Larger returns could be secured by this
method, and by careful attention to sci
entiic and practical methods. To keel
the land up something must be returned
To do that, cattle and hogs were neces
sary. Mr.. Hill stated that this yeal
along the lines of the Great Northern
railway in this state, east Of Minot, tn,
road would haul 10000 more cattle thar
along it's lines from Minot west to the
Pacific coast. His efforts in sending cat
tie and hogs into this country were
touched upon, and Mr. Hill stated tina
his road handled more fat live stool
into st. Paul than any other. Fertilize
from stock, he asserted, was equal IL
value to one-third the price of the feet
given to stock and would return to tn,
farmer that much, if put on farm prop
erty.
FARM ECONOMY.
Mr. HILL on the subject of farm economy
said he was surprised to find that dock
age in North Dakota grain went as higl
as four pounds to the bushel. The freigh
on this cost the people of the stat
$500 coo annually. This same stuff sells a
from s. to 81 per ton This waste woul
annually feed 10000 head of sheep Thi
was bad policy and to avoid it the lam
should be well cultivated. Smut, toe
was becoming more serious. This alon
was a material matter.
AS to the question of state inspection
1t was, Mr. Hill said, becoming a mos
important problem. 1t was difficult t
control this, unless there were ternina
markets within the state. The Mime
sofa grain inspection was the standar
In Europe and it would cost the peopl
much to abolish it, unless something
better could be substituted. He some
times thought of federal inspection 70
Minnesota and the two Dakotas. Thi
would probably be better for North Da
kota, because the state would have rep
resentation.
Mr.. Hill then paid tribute to the Re
River valley, its land and its climate
Railroad rates from the valley prope
were from Is to 40 per cent lower thai
from any other wheat growing section
With these advantages land should sci
for as much here as in Iowa He though
every acre in the valley worth from S4
to $50 Land here, he said, has a create
market value than in the Des Motne
valley in Iowa.
WIDER MARKETS.
Foreign commercial relations were ther
touched upon. Mr.. Hill gave the farmer.
some good common-sense advise At tn,
market wheat would bring price regu
lated by demand. There was no law com
pelling that q higher price be offered