Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1902-06-27

tions that exist now and those that ex-
listed in the eighties People who have
resided in this state many years, and
who have been on the farms Of the
James and Missouri river valleys, do
not realize the changes that have
occurred in the states from which the
new settlers are coming. One of the
well.posted land men of the state-H.
P. Smart, of the Wells s. Dickey Com
pany and the Alliance and Investment
Company-speaking of these predic-
tions Of, a reaction, and of the subse-
quent decline in land values, says:
"From my observation Of the SETTLE
ment of this part Of the state, as we'll
as that of other portions, am com
vinccd that the present movement is
to be a permanent one. The steady
increase in the prices of land has come
from better knowledge Of what the
lands are capable Of producing when
intelligently farmed. The inquiries
we have been receiving during the
last few yearsdndicate that the farm
ers Of the northern and middle states
are better posted on the actual capac-
ity of our soil to raise mixed crops and
stock than they were. The same state
of affairs is shown here as in South
Dakota, where we have made many
sales in the last ten years. recall
an incident Of visiting a locality near
Clark, in that state, about five years
ago, and-to a stranger, at least-it
seemed as desolate a region and as un-
inviting for settlers as one could i'm
agine. Iclosed deal for quarter
section there for $3.50. The surface OF
the land was all right, and there was
nothing to prevent immigration COM
ing to that locality; but it did not
get started that way until . compara-
lively short time ago. Now the local
ity is settling fast, and the prices of
lands have advanced tosslo, sl2 and
915 an acre. 1. ,r. .
GAS matter of fact, the lands in
North Dakota are better for every
purpose than the lands in many parts
Of South Dakota, and are worth more
in actual value. The prices now are
not high enough compared with the
s30and 935 lands in the Red river val
ley and western and northern Mime
sofa and in South Dakota, where wheat
has been and is practically the only
crop. When man pays no or $12 an
acre for land, he gets for'that small
sum soil that is cheap when you con-
slider the amount Of food products such
all acre will raise year after year-the
poultry, the garden stuff, etc. /, We
who have lived in the state for many
years have grown to place value on
our lands for what they will profit us
in the raising, of wheat, and this is
just where we make the mistake, for
the present prices are not half what
our lands are worth in the raising Of
other things besides wheat.
"The price Of SO to &l5 nacre for.
good lands is too low, and I believe that
before the present raise stops we will
reach q point where the lands will be
fixed at a permanent value of S25 to
$50 an acre. In the western part OF the
state hear Of sales of land as high as
$8 to $40 an acre. to be used chiefly for
stock purposes, This figure l believe is
too high for stock lands exclusively,
but for any good farm land with a fair
depth of soil, on which mixed crops
can be raised and feed; for stock pro-
duced, the present prices are also too
low. tF
SIN the early days the high price of
wheat and the ease of raising the crop
tempted many to invest their all in
that uncertain occupation. Many
failures followed and the price Of land
went back because the owners did not
know how to get.the best use out of
it. These new arrivals all under
stand this, and will, I believe, teach
us how to make the lands Bring the
returns they should by the proper cul-.
tivation Of them. The growth Of
population and the changed dspndi ditions
of the other states are forcing people
to comfy cheaper lands, which in re-
turn VIII become of q permanently
higher value. 4 donot tlli13 there is
any good reason for fearing y return:
Of the early Boom history af North,
Dakota, and .sspecially in aiessJ amrs
and Missourl.yalleys, when lands ne
bought at the present prices. (.
This is M time sforthe croskss, and
it will not be long. III my qpip56n, es'
fore the farmer wtt. antssyil teeds
land adjoining his faflH wsilsiave to
pay pretty desr for 4 I, @ 81, s
II M s1 cen. is.ssss :s;5 4 ~ $50, Sc !,
Republi Kan !: It si hRfyn;
a complete progT O sii
sports for the :. & Tlls:
large bills stasssS aaIae.
will be playsd inis I|s 6 & = II / buta 4, 3
change insplaG ]t,l e 6tis tHdtb
able that t6e t9jfe. I M n cppied,
by the gps ]: 81 4 e 3. !, apa
that the racsl, d q ean a "a s viii,
be pulled on " fsrnous : s,M & ....;ls; q
The enttFesfa a a
the amniant ;fGSiSi l1slx sns,e