The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1903-04-16

founded upon good reasoning, as far
as the reasoning goes; namely: That
when farm land reaches value of from
$50 to 800 an acre, it does not pay to
raise wheat on it. Good, improved
farms in Carver county are today SELL
ing at 500 per acre. To run 100 acre
farm means an investment of SIG, 900.
Money is in demand on good farm Sc
curity at Z per cent interest. Such an
investment loaned out would yield
yearly $1,120, and how many farm
ers are clearing even one-half that
amount? Actuated by such reasoning
the farm is sold and the young farmer
seeks better investment-and he does
not have to look far for someone to ad-
wise him where to make it.
But, you may ask, why has not this
danger been realized in the New Eng
land states, where land has for years
been valuable, and passed down through
many generations? First, the young
Eastern farmer is an entirely different
creation from our Western farm boy.
He has not that nervous, restless, i'm
pulsive make up, that characterizes all
western life, and he is content to walk
in the path of his father before him,
even tho it be cow-path. And again,
he has learned that the fact of his not
being able to raise wheat at a profit on
his land does not render his farm in
vestment poor one.
This evil can in part be met by the
farmers, if instead of allowing the farm
to descend to their heirs according to
law-or willing it in "fee simple
would will it in "fee TAIL" Such estates
becoming entailed, would descend from
generation to generation, but never
pass from the family. Then let the
young farmer rove, if he will; it takes
but few years of city life in such cases
to convince him that the farm is best
after all. There is something grand in
the thought of "the old house at home
where our forefathers dwelt."
The Southern Minnesota farmer must
seek means of making the farm more
paying per acreage and according to his
investment, or the danger of nobility
land-ownership is evident. But, it may
be asked, why suggest that as natural
result? Because we are already face
to face with the danger. And if you
will pardon q personal allusion l will
cite cases from my own experience and
observation. My home is on farm
situated in Hennepin county. My land
cost me, unimproved, 5000 per acre.
This is not lake shore property, simply
farm land. This location is in what
might be termed the fruit belt of Min
nesota, and the farmers are all fruit
farmers. There is little or no land for
sale, but Notwithstanding its high price,
it is much in demand. But much of
this land is not cultivated for farming
of any kind. It is used as pasture land
for fast horses and fine bred cattle
owned by men who have more money
than they know what to do with. These
men own large tracts of land fer which
they have paid fortunes, and from
which they do not derive q cent OF
J profit. In fact they are at no small ex
} pense in running these farms for pleas
ure, that they may enjoy their acres
! their fine bred horses and cattle, theil
, country homes. These are cases of no
: bility landowners, pure and simple
| The tenant who occupies small cot
tage on said farms is the serf. an
/ blessed with good neighbors. One-hal'
: mile east is farm owned by apromi
> nent government official. consisting O.
/ 200 acres, which cost him from $3.50 t.
+ 5000 per acre, and upon which he ha
. recently completed residence at {
: cost of $4,000. One mile south lie
8 100 acres owned by an ex-governor
, purchased one year ago for SIG, 600, up
Q on which he has built q large residence
3 This is strictly farm land-farther from
: town and in Carver county. One mil
= north are 200 acres owned by q Mime
apolis manufactures. This land cos
i, $4,000 and upon 1t the owner has erect