The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-10-17
NORTH DAKOTA.
The Richest State in the Union
According to Population
Its Resources.

state in the union in proportion to
population. It has more wealth
per capita than any other state.
The area Of the state is 7O.172
square miles, or 44,91O,OSO acres
According to the census Of 1900.
the population of the state was
3l9,l46, and it is now estimated to
be in round numbers 100000 and
growing steadily at a phenomenal
rate. The wealth of the state at
present is computed to be over
S4o0,OOo,OW and yet there are no
very rich men in the state. These
figures do not take into considera-
ton but a small portion of the
vast Ignite and coal deposits in the
western half of the state, whose ac-
tual extent and value is as yet i'm
possible to estimate.
There are about 100000 acres
OF common school land, worth at
the minimum price fixed by law
S25O,OOO; also $4,000 acres of we'll
selected land held in trust for the
higher educational and charitable
institutions Of the state, worth at
minimum price S., 7O0.44O, held as
a permanent school fund, the in
terest on which is to go towards
supporting and equipping them.
The assessed valuation of real
and personal property in the state
for the year 1902 was Ss133, $50, ALA.
This is said to be less than 20 per
cent of the actual value at that
time.
80 Dur ing the year 1902 land under
cultivation in the state totaled T.
2o2,262 acres, but owing to the fact
that the statistics are gathared in
the spring for previous year and
compiled and published in the fall,
the figures representing the acre
age and yield Of each crop are not
available for publication.
Splendid vegetables of all kinds
a be raised in all sections of
North Dakota, and there is a pro-
titable field for market gardening
al adjacent to the larger cities and
towns, yet this industry seems to
be badly neglected, and large guam
titles of vegetables are shipped i'm
from states east.
Thrifty farmers in nearly every
section visited We're found to be
raising vegetables. but III uuaniti-
ties hardly greater than to meet
their own needs.
Poultry raising is another source
OF profit lat might be looked into.
AS it is, hardly a fraction of the
amount of poultry and eggs con-
sumed in tie state is OF private
product.
There is ii fine field. an assured
market, at high prices, for those
who will take up the industry,
The creamery industry is among
the most notable in the way of de-
velopment in the state, and it is a
certainty that the state will con-
tinue to upho'dthegood name now
enjoyed for the superior quality of
it's creamery productions. There
are now, as nearly can be acertain-
ed in the absence of official figures,
some fifty creameries in the state,
and the number is constant
ly being augmented. The value of
the dairy and creamery industry in
North Dakota for 1902 is given us
$3,0OO,0OO. The statistics then
showed eight cheese factories.
Cheese making is another indus
try that it would seem could be
greatly extended and linda pro-
titable field in this state. Less than
100000 pounds Of cheese We're
made in the state for the year end
ing Oct. 81. 1902. Thirty-nine
creameries reported to- the COM
missioner Of agriculture for the
year ending Oct. 81, 1902, gave the
total production of butter of L.
794,576 pounds. There was deliv-
cred to these creameries 29,80l,673
pounds of milk and 1885. 1852
pounds of cream. This represent
ed appropriately the milk of $4,000
cows. Fourteen of these creanler-
les had been running but an aver
600 of Evo ,,oonfbo uhon ronOrtS