The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-22
AN EXPERT OPINION
Height Of the Land Boom Has Been
Reached in North Dakota
and Elsewhere.
Northwest Canadian Movement il
Substantial It Is the Great
Wheat Country"
Special to The Journal.

situation in North Dakota and Canada
said prominent local land man who was
asked regarding the present outlook in
investments. We'll" he continued, II
ought to know something about the sit
-uation. l have recently travelled over
Manitoba, Assinaboia, Alberta, about Ed
monitor, in the valley and over western
North Dakota.
In speaking of the real estate situa-
ton the Red river valley should be con-
sidered by itself For several years in
the valley the crops have not been up to
the average and, while land has increased
in price, 1t has not gained proportion
ately with other sections Of the state,
which the unusually moist conditions
have peculiarly favored. am Of the
opinion that the lands in the Red river
valley are shortly due for. substantial
increase in prices.
It is not probable there will be any
reaction in values Of farm lands in the
valley. They are bound to go UP and
stay up Farmers OF the middle west
appreciate this fact and you will find
upon investigation that they prefer to pay
a little more for the lands of the valley
than those farther west, knowing they
are worth more than the difference.
Lull In Speculation.
but do not wish to discount the
value of the land in the southern, west
ern and northern portions Of the state
Those sections have been enjoying an
unusually halthy growth They, in fact,
have been ENJOYING a real estate boom.
Vast areas have been settled, the acreage
Of cultivated land has increased in re-
markable manner and the west has
proven that 1t Is a rich country, suited
to farming. Prices have increased rap
idly and do not think the limit has been
reached yet f .6se
but there is a lull The height of the
boom was reached last year. There will
not be so much purchased from now on
for speculative purposes. do not think
there is a reaction; In fact, am sure
there is not. The time has not arrived
for that. I am sure that it will. It will
depend largely upon what kind of crops
are raised this year. I do think the gem
eral prices Of land in the west have
reached a point where rapid advancement
from now on Is not probable. The boom
is over In all sections Of the state
In some portions 7 think it has been
ovcrworked but not great deal any
where. All portions of the state will en-
joy healthy development, If conditions
continue favorable. In the northwestern
part of the state there was, for a time
a. movement toward the cheaper Canadian
lands, but that appears to haveNsb been
only temporary and Is practically stop
ped Some are returning. IS IL
There is no question but that the boom
in northwest Canada is substantial The
settlers come from the United States in
large numbers, but the majority are from
England and other countries of Europe.
Over 100, 600 people: from: the =. United
States and Europe settled in the country
west and north of Winnipeg during the
past year and they are coming in vast
numbers. And 1t is a grand country.
to- - ~. - u L.. r
not say that the land is better than in
North Dakota, but do say it is cheaper
at present prices. It is the great wheat
country and is bound to become more
and more 50. $40
Reciprocity viii Come.
There are thousands Of square miles
of as fine wheat country as you ever saw
and there is room for millions Of people.
There is no question but that Canada
would benefit Immensely from closer reel
procal trade relations with the United
States and they will probably come. But
I don't take much stock in this annexa
ton talk. People are not thinking about
political relations when they determine tc
settle In the northwest country. They
are looking for homes, and they find
them there, the cheapest to be found any
where.
'"The movement Of homeseekers into the
Canadian northwest is just getting vel
started. do s+not think it will have
reached it's height for several years, per.
haps six or seven years. A poor crop may
hurt the movement some, but not much
Few appreciate the magnitude OF the
country or the movement Of settlers into
1t. The country is 50 large and there is
so much good land that the thousands ant
thousands settled in 1t scarcely make ar
| impression It Is q country OF magnificen,
distances. You will notice that it is be.
ing developed in a remarkable manner b,
the railroads. No, I do not think thai
severe winters will be much Of q, disad.
vantage It isn't much colder than here
| Two hundred miles north Of Winnipes
know a farmer who made q speciality o1
raising Strawberries and last summer hi
sold about $1,000 worth OF, berries to south.
| ern markets, and they were OF first -cla 81
quality, too. They can raise ali sorts 81
| vegetables. .
| Boom Days over.
| Coming back to North Dakota wan
to say that I know Of no better place TO,
good solid investment in land for mar
who means to make a living at farming
North Dakota Is all right. The land /.
all right. It has not been overvalued
It is still underpriced and is bound t.
increase as the country settles UP. Es.
pecially is this true in the Red River val
! ley The crops Of the state speak for i
and Its people have entire conf1dence Ia it
Boom days are, perhaps, over, but rea
estate Investments for the people LOOKING
| Tor good farm lands and who desire Il
make their homes where they have a fai
chance OF making good livelihood ant
/ accommodating a competence for old age
VIII be open to thousands for many years
lockJAW FOLLOWED ACCIDENT
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