The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-04-16
!, MINNESOTA. THURSDAY. APRIL le, 1903.

ed a residence costing $4,000, and also
one of the finest barns in the state.
Thus 1 might mention similar farms
owned by bankers, merchants, judges,
etc, within radius Of two miles. These
farms simply support their fine stock.
The high price Of 4and in this section
has taught the farmer the principle of
farming that must be sooner or later
adopted by every farmer for profit in
the state, and especially in Southern
Minnesota, in the near future. New
England farmers have long since
learned that their land was too valu-
able to raise wheat at 65 cents per BUSH
ell. Thus we see their large fruit farms
and hop farms. Even in parts of Mis-
souri,, where land is but So per acre,
are the largest fruit farms in the world;
notably the American Orchard COM
pany, 500 acres; MGNail Fruit Farm,
1900 acres; Culber Brothers, 800 acres;
Oden Fruit Farm, $500 acres; Mckay
Fruit Farm, 600 aires and Missouri
Fruit Farm, 600 acrea.
But, you may say, we cannot substi-
tute apples for flour. The result of
such change is a matter that should
not concern individuals. ALI such
things in time regulate themselves, and
this do know, that as soon as the
farmer tells the world he will not occu-
py his land raising wheat at Is cents
per bushel, just so soon will the world
pay 81 and $3.50 per bushel for it.
Minnesota fruit is much in demand
at price far in advance of fruit ship
ped in from other states. Fruit farms
in my home township bring in a yearly
return to their owner of at least 800
per acre. One man with the help
of pickers. which means no greater ex-
pense than grain farmers threshing
bill, can work fifteen acres in fruit at
clear profit of 81 800 year, and in
many cases much more. My neighbor,
on five acre farm, cleared last year
$1,000. My own farm is worked entire
ly by hired help, and / have never
cleared, above all expenses, less than
800 per acre. I will ask you the ques-
tion, Does fruit farming pay?
But not every laboring man in the
city has $lO,0OOloose change in his pock-
ct to put into such farm. There is
no better investment than to put mon
ey in wild, unimproved lands in North
ern Minnesota, especially in Pine and
Aitken counties. My personal knowl-
edge of this part of the state is derived
from the fact that for the past five
years I have, in my home territory, rep
resented the land department of the C
R. I. & P. Ry., N. p. Ry, and st. P. &
d. R. R. Co., which positions have called
me with land seekers to this part of the
state almost every month during that
time. Land which sold five years ago fol
/ 81 and 50 per acre now is held at SIS and
Sc, but so far from being discouraged
because we failed to buy land when il
was cheap, we should be convinced b!
the rapid growth Of this country tha
the investment is good one, and it il
indeed still cheap.
As pure speculation, $500 will bu!
100 acres Of as rich land as Minnesota
contains. If more convenient, this Cal
be purchased on terms Of $3.50 dowl
and 1854 per year for ten years, thu
making the $500 in full. Thirty year
ago land in my home town sold at s.
per acre, and much was homesteaded
At that time not only was Minnesota al
open to settlers, but SO was the entir
Northwest. The area of cheap LAM
has been diminished many times sine
: then, and the little land yet unoccupie'
: will be settled far more rapidly. 1t !
|. safe to estimate that within twent
years this land will be worth $50 pc
i acre. To purchase this land now an
never see it for twenty years will meal
: q profit Of Is per cent per year on th
investment. Do you know of an
> banks paying that rate of interest
s This profit may be greatly increased b
! settling on such land and making
8 dividend bearing. Much Of this Ian
), is heavily timbered with hard woot
= The present price Of wood will be COZ
!. vincive Of the profit therein. Hiring q
. the work done we have 81 per cord fo
Q cutting, 81 per cord for hauling t
: track, 81 freight rates to st. Paul an
t Minneapolis, total $S on track in To
: cities. Wood is selling there at $6, 9