The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-08-07
A MANITOBA LETTER
Pastor TomliD, Of Congregational Church,
Made a Trip Into the Manitoba
Country Last Week.
BE Writes Of the Crop Conditions and
tn. Outlook for the Future Of
That Country.
Advises the South Dakota Farmer 10
Stay Where &c is and Follow
Diversified Farming.
POINTS ON MANITOBA

From Mitchell to Winnepeg, Mani
toba, Via Fargo-The Harvest
Outlook.
Editor Daily Republican: Think
ing perhaps a few observations made
while in transit, touching crop and
other conditions in the respective
sections of country traversed, as in
Dictated by the above caption, might
be of interest to your readers; and,
incidentally, slightly relieve the
pressure Of the daily routine of our
faithful ''Knight of the Faber,n I
venture to transmit this commfunica-
ton. Should your columns be crowd
ed. doubtless your waste-basket is
spacious; and I may feel assured of
making a contribution to one or the
other, with more or less fitness.
Leaving Mitchell, Saturday after
noon via the c., M. & ST. P. R'y, I
started on my journey of. observation
towards the north, the land of linger-
ing twilight, refreshing breezes, and
hard wheat-sometimes. Sunday was
spent in rest and quiet at that pop
ular South Dakota resort, Big Stone
Lake, on the Minnesota side. Monday
morning I resumed my journey, pass
ing through magnificent wheat fields
of central western Minnesota, from
Ortonville to Wahpeton, which were
the finest seer anywhere along tie
entire route. AS I j%ourneyed north
ward from our neighboring town of
Letcher the quality Of the growing
crops perceptibly diminished for a
considerable distance, and then be-
gan to grow better again. In po1-
tions of Sphinx and Brown counties
they gave fnll promise Of a rich har-
vest, especially where good farming
was in evidence. In the vast major
ity of instances in our own state, it
is the slack nd.shiftless farmer who
will experience the natural conse-
quences of his inactivity by being
denied the privilege of gathering
what otherwise might have been a
rich harvest. Having covered almost
the entire distance between the
points named in daylight, I have no
hesltancy in saying that, taking all
things into consideration, South Da-
kota presents the best appearance and
gives promise of greater future
wealth and material prosperity than
any section of the country through
which l passed. Especially is this
true OF Mitchell and vicinity. Our
thriving little city far exceeds all
others seer IN the abundant evidence
she..bears Of thrift, enterprise, and
material advancement; certainly a
meritorious distinction in view Of her
laudable aspirations for capital hon.
iors. Even nature and the elements
attest her fitness to become the per-
manent seat of government OF our
young and prosperous state by max
ing her, like Jerusalem of old. ssbeau-
tiful for situation,' and browning
the toll OF her loyal sons with such
abundant success; and her fields with
the promise of a rich harvest. Added
= " IhS AoASS PAOulloC VI JUL
cent wheat fields, the larger number
of thrifty and equally promising corn
fields, and the umerou herds of
cattle that dot Jul prairies,, grazing
contentedly in the %luxuriant mead
ows, together with the vast and var
led mineral resources of the Black
Hills, South Dakota does indeed pre-.
sent many of the essential conditions
which form the basis of an ideal
state. and holds out many induce
ments to the numerous homeseekers
and prospective settlers who throng
the newer portions of our state in
quest of cheap lands.
Manifestly the famous Red River
valley is not in favor with "Dame
Nature" the present season certainly
the crops bear most unmistakable ey-
idence OF this fact in the section
through which I passed. From Far
go to Grand Forks and beyond, clear
to the Canadian line, the crops are
generally poor. with here and there
an occasional exception to the rule.
where local conditions seem to have
: been slightly more favorable. But