Morris tribune., 1904-09-24

In "The Predicament of Minnesota" Just
issued from the press of the Webb Publish
ing company. Paul Latzke takes pessimistic
view of present agricultural and industrial
conditions in Minnesota. He finds that instead
of being leader in farm wealth-acre for acre
| we are behind such states as Illinois, Indiana,
| Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania
and Wisconsin. While those states are pro-
ducing from 1888 to $500 from land, Minnesota,
with land equaling any in either of them, is
producing only $4.87 per acre. Labor costs
| more in proportion to production in Minnesota
and the average value of cattle in this state is
less than it is for the United States.
| The author goes to show that even our
dairy industry, though winning many prizes,
does not show as high a producing value per
cow in some other states.
Not content with his startling statements
about agricultural backwardness, Mr..
Latzke says we are not making as great pro-
gress as we should in manufacturing and that
both the numbering and the flour interests are
likely to be halted, because the mills are
going to the forests and the fields.
The cause of our agricultural backwardness
Mr. Latzke finds in the fact that the mass of the
farmers cling too tenacious1y to the cultivation
of wheat. That grain is the most profitable
crop in a country, but the time is sure to
come when the tired soil makes small returns
and diversified farming becomes essential to a
continuance of agricultural welfare. That time
has come in Minnesota, but the farmers have
not been fully Awakened 10 be sure there has
been some increase in diversifcation in late
years. but there is still too much wheat sown
and not a sufficient variety of other products
cultivated. The farmers are both impairingI
theirland capital and reducing their income, |
They are drawing upon the future and not de- I
aiving as much from the present as they should
Moreover, in making speciality of wheat,
Minnesota farmers are forcing her agricultural
industry along lines where she is unable to
completes The average production of wheat
per acre is greater in the following states than
it is in Minnesota, Washington, Wyoming,
Utah, Oregon, Ohio, New York,
Montana, Nevada Colorado and Idaho.
There is world of suggestion in the fact
that some of the middle state that once led in
wheat are now we'll down in the table, but show
at the same time greater value of products
per than they ever did,
The author frankly tells where Minnesota
leads and where she lacks in dairying, hay and
forage culture, fruit, vegetable, potatoes and
the grains and declares that short coming
are not dine to poverty of soil, for there is none
better but to unscentiic farming and
the the crop idea
In his preface he says: "No state in the .
union offers suce opportunities to the progress .
sive, intelligent farmer. Minnesota has made
1er people enormously wealthy in spite of their /
misuse of her natural richness. What might !
oe, if this misuse everywhere ended,
would distance even the rosy pictures painted !
50 often the rostrum and in public prints. :
For Minnesota lies today great gold mine at
he feet of her people, the surface barely scratch
I'd; stimulate the people into real digging and
he harvest will amaze the world.
The book is not one that will tickle the vanity
IF Minnesotans. Some of it's deductions will be
disputed, even though the statistics
quoted must be admitted. But the lecture,
though harsh, should have good effect, for it's
central thought is scientific cultivation and
Investigation of crops Minneapolis Times.
OBSERVATIONS OF THE DEFEATED.
That man that maketh the high dive hath /
A peculiar way of serving the Lord but he that