The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-25

IMl three parts naturally, of which
VW the Red River country in the
eastern part is a perfectly
level prairie. This section is de-
voted almost wholly to the rals-
ing of wheat, and is the home OF
the bonanza wheat farms. The west
ern part comprises the grazing lands
for the large herds of cattle, horses
and sheep. The central, and by far
the richest, comprises the few coun-
ties in the state that are by nature
fitted for diversified farming by reason
of great fertility of soil, abundance
of pure water, shelter provided by the
natural timber growth and the gently
undulating surface of the country. In
this last division, and in the best part
thereof, is located La Moure county,
GO miles west of the Minnesota state
line and "a miles north of the South
Dakota state line. 1t is without the
region of the devastating hot winds
and well within the rain belt.
The average rainfall in La Moure
county has exceeded II inches during
the crop period.
The county comprises 80 full govern
ment townships, or 1920 acres, or
4G0S farms of $50 acres each. Nearly
all of this is arabic, the small amount
of broken hilly land making excellent
pasturage This, when fully and care
fully cultivated for mixed farming, is
capable of sustaining d population of
10000 people. The county received its
first settlers in 1880, and now has
population of about 5000.
Taxes in La Moure county are low,
running from $S to SIG on a quarter
section, the amount depending upon
the value of improvements. Market
facilities are the best. The Northern
Pacific railway traVerses the county
east and west and north and south.
The 500 and Milwaukee also run short
distances in the county, making a total
of So miles within the county, with
stores and elevators everty few miles.
The fuel question does not assume
the seriousness here usual in prairie
countries. The finding of vast deposits
of Ignite, a soft coal, within the west
ern and central portions of the state
has released the people of this state
from the grasp of the coal trust. Lig-
mite coal is delivered in La Moure
county at a cost of SO and 1926 per
ton, wood and hard coal cost about the
same as at St. Paul and Minneapolis.
he DilCG VI istllN lS DlQly
If you intend buying, come now while
prices are lower than they ever will be
again in this country.
Farm lands run from SIS to $50 per
acre, and will not stay this price long.
Soil
The prairies of La Moure county are
covered with rich dark drift of allu-
vial loan from one to four feet deep,
under which is a clay subsoil, which
has the property of holding moisture to
a wonderful degree, and giving it out
as needed for the growing crops. 1t
contains a practically ineXhaustible
supply of soil ingredients most valuable
for agriculture, namely: Soluble silica.
lime, potash soda, phosphoric acid,
nitrogen and vegetable humus. There
is no better soil in the world for gen.
eral farming purposes, and none any
better adapted for the raising of wheat
and other small grains. 1t is easily pull
verified, and after the prairie is once
broken cultivation is done with COM
paratively little labor.
Water
La Moure county is well supplied
with the very best water in the world.
The James river traVerSeS the county
north and south; besides, there are a
number of creeks and many natural
springs. Wells of pure cold water NAV
be secured at a depth of from fifteen to
forty feet. All the water secured in
this county is as pure as any in the
world. In the rivers fish abound in
great quantities.
Stock Raising and Dairyine
Within the past few years the farm
ers of La Moure county have been
gradually turning from grain raising
TO diversified crops, dairying and stock
raising. No section in the northwest
has better natural conditions for such
farming, and that La Moure county
will soon become famous in this line
seems to admit of no doubt There
were but 6,06S cattle in La Moure coun-
~ In 1895, and in 1901 the Dumber had
increased to 9,775. Horses, sheep and
hogs have also shown large increases.
and at this time La Moure county pos
sesses more good horses, cattle, sheen
ana hogs than most any agricultural
county in the state. During the wear
ISOl sales If live stock brought to the
county 100000. Those who have
turned to stock raising find it profitable
because with the nutritious native
grasses growing in abundance. upon
which stock will Craze and thrive in
winter as well as in summer there is
but little cost in maturing it. Dairy
ing is profitable for the same reason.
Ihere are several creameries in the
county doing thriving business. and
others are expected to be built within
the near future. However, the lack of
creameries has not hindered the maxi
ing of much butter, and statistics show
that the dairying business is constantly
increasing. In 1895 La Moure county