Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-28

the ILLINOIS, Central railroad, -
~ authority for the statement that
at the present time there is the
most active demand for farm lands ever
known in this country. AT no time in
the history of the United States" said
ne ''has there been such a phenomenal
advance in prices as during the past three
years.
"Unimproved hardwood timber lands OF
the best quality are yet on the market
at points in Mississippi, between Mem
phis and Vicksburg. from 81 to $40 per
acre. The cost of clearing and fencing
these lands is not to exceed so per acre,
and, when cleared, they Will grow bale
of cotton worth from $40 to so per bale,
or 60 bushels of corn worth from 60 cents
TO 81 per bushel, to the acre. Every real
estate agent who has studied the agrt-
cultural conditions of this country un-
derstands how, with the rapid increase
in population, making a constantly In
creasing demand for everything eatable,
1t is utterly impossible for fertile lands
to remain at present values in any sec
ton of our country either north or
south.
Southern farm lands are too low, as
compared with the market value of south
ern farm products. To illustrate: In
Iowa lands selling in the market for $50
to $40 per acre are rented for only -
per acre. In Mississippi, and especially
IN the great cOlIOn Dells the 21ASSiSSippA
valley, improved plantations can be
bought at from $50 to $50 per acre, cash.
or, what is better at the present high
price of cotton, for 100 pounds OF lint
cotton per acre; and upon which the
taxes are not more than half what they
are in Illinois and Iowa.
"All indications point TO an increased
demand and increased local market for
all kinds of southern farm products. The
development of southern oil fields fur
nishing cheap fuel is attracting the at
tention of manufacturers.
1.-The construction Of an interoceanio
canal, whether at Panama or Nicaragua,
will make New Orleans the gateway to
important new markets that use largely
the mining, manufacturing and agricul-
tural products of the south. 1t win be
the means of calling the attention or
thousands of tourists and capitalists to
the fertile lands of the Mississippi valley.
1t win result in large Investments OF
northern capital which is invariably fol-
lowed by immigration and rapid adj
vance in the price of farm lands.
''In Illinois the advance has been from
$50 to $50 per acre; in Iowa from $50 TO
$75 and even higher; in Minnesota from
SIS to $50 and in South Dakota from $50
to $50. Real estate prophets and others
have each year predicted tho top nad
been reached and that prices must de-.
cline. Such, however, has not been the
case. On the contrary, not only practi--
cal farmers, but bankers, mechanics.
merchants and manufacturers. with idle
money have shown their confidence In
the future OF cultivable lands by making
liberal land investments and the prices
have continued to go higher and higher.
1.-THE question now agitating the minds
of all real estate agents, through whom
90 per cent of all the farm lands ares
sold, Is, where can we find low priced real
estate, and where will be the next great
advance in lands? L advise ali real es-
tate agents and others who heandle farm
lands that every indication now points
to the south as the center Of the next
great BOOM"
This sUccinct array Of facts with many
others IS being set forth in real pamph-
let form and circulated by Mr.. Merry
throughout the country, for which the
south, and especially Mississippi, is un-
der a debt of gratitude TO him.