The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-05-22

LILO NpOAAC0Mou dio 4ulC0 conspicuous
by their absence. While there is a
force they do not appear to be needed
for I think a more orderly city would
be hard to find.
The immigration move is nearly
stopped for the time, though real
estate men seem to be doing thriving
business still. Land values are rising
and will continue to do so for some
time. Around the immediate vicinity
OF Spokane there is so little really good
land that it makes the good lands very
high, about one fifth of the area is
good, the balance very rough and poor.
On Orchard, Pleasant, Five Mile, Mo-
ran and Peone prairies lands sell for
one hundred to five hundred dollars
per acre according to improvements.
None can be had for less than one
hundred per acre. Good farms can be
had out fifteen to twenty miles for a
reasonable figure, say SIS to $40 per
acre. Government land is hard to find,
though homestead relinquishments can
be bought at fair price. 3, Mr.. Cutler
we found located on fine little farm
on Orchard Prairie, seven miles out.
Myself and Mr.. Fink have purchased
property on ''Five Mile Prairie''' one
Of the prettiest little prairies in east
ern Washington and only forty min
utes drive from the city. Mr.. Carter
will locate near Mica about seventeen
miles from Spokane.
The spring has been backward here
as everywhere. Grass was about four
to six inches high when we arrived
and since our beaming countenances
have shone upon it, it has grown until
it is six to fourteen inches high. There
is a good indication for a large fruit
crop with exceptions of peaches this
year. Cherry trees are covered with
bloom and apple and pear trees heavily
budded. Yesterday I visited the orch
ard of a Mr.. Strong on Five Mile
Prairie. This orchard is one of the
finest young orchards in the state. A
portion of it bore last year on ten year
old trees over $3.50 worth of fruit per
acre net. The winter apple is proving
to be the money maker and is being
planted heavily.
Potatoes do we'll and are fine in quail
ity with Washington cultivation, which
means plant and dig with plow and
one cultivation. With Minnesota meth
DDS crop of $50 sacks or 400 bushels
I think could be grown easily. One
man near here raised and shipped
three car loads to Alaska last season
and will plant IS acres this year. It is
said that the Burbank often grows
eleven inches in length and requires a
handspike to dig them with. Corn
will grow here but is an uncertain
crop, ripening two or three crops out
OF five. Tomatoes pay from 5000 to
$500 per acre wherever they can be
grown, but there are very few places
where they will grow and ripen.
A peculiar condition prevails in the
lands here and that is that the higher
up on the hills it is the better the soil.
The valleys are generally sandy or
gravel while the foot hills and higher
have good clay loan soil. Many of
the farms are on ground so rough we
would not consider these fit even for
pasture. In many cases it looks as
If the upper corner of the farm must
surely flop over and bury the farmer
and his buildings. While standing on
the hills back of the city one sees a
beautiful panorama. To the left five
miles away can be seen Fort Wright, a
government post: Immediately under
and opposite is spread out the beauti-
full city of Spokane, slightly to the
right six miles away is the town of
Hillyard, where Jim Hip has i'm
mense shops and yards; beyond and
forty miles away "Old Baldy'' lifts his
snow-capped peak to the clouds, while
directly to the right up the "Spokane
valley'' can be seen the ''Idaho Range''
Thursday morning I met at the G.. N.
depot Chas. VanWormer of Princeton,
and was surprised to meet also Mr..
Warren and Mrs. Clark of Milaca, ].
VanRhee of Pease and Miss Becker of
Hibbing, who were all destined for
Portland, Oregon. AS they had to lay
over until 3:45 P. M, I proposed they
spend :heir time in sightseeing and
did what I could to help them see the
"lions and tigers" They expressed
great admiration for the city; one of
the party was of the opinion that it
would nearly if not quite equal Milaca!
or Princeton.
Have just learned that Homer Ran
dali, one of Foreston' s old citizens is
here in St. Luke's hospital sick. Have
not seen him but will call soon. Will
writo 1otor IN rorord;ro o1:,..4:.