The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-08
DOUGLAS COUNTY
BY JAMES BARDoN.

- i i
and goats do well here; that hogs thrive
as in no other country, the wild roots
and nuts in the woods furnishing album
geese grow to enormous size and that
this seems to the natural home of
hens and chickens.
It has been noted frequently by peo-
pie travelling that our red clay soil,
being retentive, gives to, the crops the
full benefit Of all moisture and fer
tilizers. Strange as it may seem the
productiveness Of the soil is not les
sened by its depth; taken from the
bottom of a cellar or well it will grow
just as good crops Of vegetables, grains
hence our lands cannot wear out; deep
blowing will always restore them.
Our climate and soil grow grains,
finer fiber and better flavor than the
country farther south. Many Of our
productions, especially strawberries and
other small fruits ripening late, will
supply the market after the crop in
the south is exhausted. In many parts
of the country the land on which pine
timber grows is regarded as inferior for
agricultural purposes. This is not the
case with our lands The soil of the
cut is equal to the best, fully as strong
and productive as that producing oak,
maple and other hard woods. III,
These statements are not mere asser-
tions based only upon theory. They
are in every case supported by the
facts, and also by the numerous and
successful ventures in farming, garden
ing, fruit-growing, dairying and stock
raising in this country from it's earliest
settlement to this day. The agricul-
tural: exhibits of this, county at our
local fairs are constant surprises to
visitors and have more than once caused
some Of our newer citizens to express
grave doubts as to the home nativity
Of the big pumpkins, the fine punches
Of tobacco plants and the heavy grain
laden stalks Of buckwheat. The Doug
las county display Of roots and grains,
coming into Competition with every
+ part of our state: have =freely;z,taken
first premiums At the !, Wisconsin, state
fair held in Milwaukee ; The exhibits
Of grains, grasses and roots Of Douglas,
bayfield,, AshlandS and Iron counties at
the IRON River fair. last fall could not
have been outrivaled by any other sec
ton of the union; and the subsequent
tour of the car Grassland containing
these. exhibits through the railroad
towns and cities of lower Wisconsin,
Illinois and Iowa did much to advertise
| the agricultural possibilities of north
| ern Wisconsin and to dispel erroneous
| impressions concerning it,.
It is to be hoped that the move Of
the North Wisconsin, Agricultural asso-
citation looking to the establishment Of
state experimental farm in this dis
trict will, meet with success. Such a
farm would be a pride to our citizens
l. a n fiYio a
state. :; The report, Of the recent survey
Of the soils Of Douglas county by the
United Estates agricultural department
is awaited with great interest. There
are thousands of acres Of good agri:
cultural lands in Douglas county that
can be purchased at 81 to So an acre.
On much Of this there is timber enough
to pay for the land. Lands close to
the city limits can be bought at $50
the city at $12 to $18 per acre. These
lands are all suitable for farming and
market gardening, and those nearest the
city have the possibility of rapid in.
crease in value from the growth and
expansion Of the city.
-. Douglas county outside Of Superior is
not an isolated wilderness, ass many
imagine. While settlements are COM
parativelys sparse :. they are found in
every part OF it's. territory. The county
outside Of Superior is traversed by five
trunk railway lines, along which are
numerous towns and stations, with first
class train service. It has good public
highways, telephone service in seyera
directions, many postoffices and excel
lent public schools. The people arr
progressive and enterprising, and within
the past few years their numbers have
been considerably augmented by e goot
class of settlers from southern Wiscon
sin; Iowa, illinois, Minnesota and tn
Dakotas, who are selling their high
priced lands in those localities sand re
investing the. proceeds here, where fly,
acres can :sbe. purchased for the pric|l
i Of one acre Of the old farm, and whery
tiveness Of soil' sexcellence Of markets
) possibilities Of future advance and gen
= eral wholesome and hopeful outlook NJ
more promising locality can be foun'
, anywhere. -, :, W. - e..