The Minneapolis journal., 1905-04-29
Special Correspondence.

Special Correspondence.
farmer nlsaafal and homeseeker n D' % in tie north.
western and middle states has un-
doubtedly. been reading from week to
week, the strong and able articles that
have been prepared by w. G. Gilbreath, ],
commissioner Of agriculture for the
state Of North Dakota. We had the
pleasure Of meeting Mr.. Gilbreath IN
to give us a few facts in regard to the
state, that would appeal to homeseekers
and investors in different sections Of
the west, who are anxious to secure a
new home. I also asked Mr.. Gllbreath
in regard to individual cases of people
who have come into the state with very
little capital but plenty, of energy and
achieved. Mr.. Gilbreath said:
The following regarding the state
of North Dakota is we'll worthy of con-
investor. That this state is receiving a
marvellous growth can be best appreci..
ated by an investigation: Thousands Of
people have made their selection OF
homes in North Dakota, this year and
still there remain millions Of acres
waiting for the Industrious husband
man. It's broad field and open to all:
That it is state where the tiller of
the soil reaps rich reward can be veri-
fed by thousands of new settlers who
came to this state with hopes and fears,
but who have realized far beyond their
fondest expectations. .---
There are no Industrious poor men in
this state. All are prosperous, and why
not, where land is SO cheap and yet SO
fertile and productive that one crop
pays for the land with a sufficient sur
plus to keep the producer until the. next
years yield7 That this is true is at
tested by the fact that there are real
estate dealers offering to sell land and
take in exchange for the payment the
first; years crop You may ask, If the
land is so productive, why is it that
these real estate dealers are willing to
dispose Of it on such liberal termsS My
answer is that many of these propri:
etors own thousands of acres of land
and are willing to demonstrate their
confidence in. the productiveness Of the
soil by making this generous offer
They want. to show the PUBLIC that the
ductive and cannot be excelled for
the same price in any part of the uni.
verse.
The following are a few of the many
letters reproduced showing what mon
have accomplished in North Dakota
This could be supplemented by thou
sands of others which come unsolicited:
W. L. Richards, president of the Da.
kota State bank Of Dickinson, who Or
ganized that institution a. few years
ago: ''I consider this section good for
diversified farming, and am sure if any
man will come here and work as hard
as he would in the older states he will
make more money. I dom know of a
single instance where man came here
and attended to business but what he
has made success
Mr.. Douglas Of New Salem writes:
HAll my oats and about two-thirds of
my wheat crop was on land broken in
the spring. This land I worked thor
oily, threshed- from it thirty-three bush
els of wheat an acre, and from the six
acres of oats received nearly 800 bush
els.'
x Is it strange that men will offer tt
sell land and take the first crop pro
duced in payment for the same?
Henry Lesch came to Oliver county
from Minnesota in 1908, and states
"My first crop was in 1903, and it paic
for the land. My wheat averaged sew
enteen bushels to the acre. This sea
son was considered by old settlers ont
of the poorest years. On my old high
priced farm in Minnesota---one of tht
richest in the farming portion Of south
GIL MluuoSOGd--Luo Iolu Ol WuSdG GQd
season was also seventeen bushels al
acre. ~#.
One acre Of his Minnesota land wa
selling at from eight to ten times tn
amount he paid for his North Dakot;
acres, yet the yield was no greater
The value of land should be measured
by it's producing qualities: Is it goot
financial sagacity to hold land whlcl
can be sold for say $50 an acre whel
11rr f1rkS
ity and productiveness for SIS or $69
Frank Suchy says. II came her.
In 1890, landed in Mandan. Had enough
not enough to file on government land
had to rent for two years before I mad'
enough to file. Poor crop first year
but a fine crop in 1891, and then I flee
on my homestead and from that on
have been raising crops every year
The lowest crop was fourteen bushels
in 1903. ,, :.
IT now s own Ga $40 !; acres sst Of land pait
thirty W u head of Of cattle, Twelve he head o, o.
horses, ten working horses and twl
colts, and all the machinery need ts
farm with. I have 1856 acres broken
the balance is in pasture and hay land
We raise good crops Of corn eyer,
year, and have never known it to fail
raise about forty or fifty bushels to tn
acre. I believe it is a good country t.
raise hogs, better than the eastern
81 have good frame buildings and il
good condition. 7 believe my propert,
is worth $4,000 at least, and I wouli
not sell at that
John Kline Of Richardson states:. 20
course we had very little money whe1