The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-03
SAYS SWAMP LAND
IS FERTILE SOIL
BEMIDJI MAN TELLS OF NORTH
ERIN MINNESOTA CONDITIONS.
Judge Pendergast Finds Good Land
and $4,000 Square Miles Covered
with Dense Growth Of Hardwood and
Pine-strong Argument Made for
Drainage Of Vast Tract In State.
Special to The Journal.

Cass Lake, Mimi, Feb. 81. G. Pendergast Of
Bemidji, who is one of the oldest residents
of the north half of the state, has prepared
an address to the members of the State Drain
age league setting forth some practicable ideas
as to the drainage Of the swamp and other
lands Of this part OF the state. Judge Fender
CAST has personally examined and walked over
nearly every foot Of the lands north OF the
Northern Pacific railway, while acting cruis-
er for several lumber companies, and speaks
with knowledge as to the conditions that have
prevailed. His paper, in part, is as follows:
"By what is termed northern Minnesota, Is
that part of the state. lying north s.of, the
Northern Pacific railway and between the, Red
River of the North and Lake SUPERIOR a
country containing about forty-fye s thousand
square miles of territory, and which, owing
Most people in the southern part Of the state
have the idea that this whole country has a
poor, sandy soil, ft only for pine timber, and
when that crop is taken away Is unfit for agri-
cultural purposes. The reverse Of this is true.
All that part lying between Red lake and
Vermillion lake, and containing about fifteen
thousand square miles, is covered with a dense
growth of hardwood and pine timber. with
thousands OF the most beautiful lakes and
streams, natural meadows and springs Of the
purest water. The soil here exceeds in fertility
the famous Red river valley. This part OF
the state is large enough, and under proper
population Of more than FIVE millions Of people.
BenenCS Ent1re State. 80 T. r
''I know, at first thought, many. lin 1.-THE
southern part Of the state will think that an
appropriation to spend money In this country
Is for the benefit of the few who own lands
here, and consequently do not take kindly to
the proposition. Once convince them that this
scheme is not for the benefit of few men OF
corporationp, but is for the interest of every
citizen of the whole state, and the way II
cas-. The state now owns more than two mil
lion acres designated as swamp lands. Special
indemnity and other lands belonging to the
state and unsold at the present time bring the
six thousand square miles, tract three times
the size Of the whole state of Massachusetts
nearly all of which Is north of the Northern
Pacific railroad. When this land is sold, six
seventies Of the proceeds will go to that par,
of the state lying south Of the railroad as ths
distribution is made in proportion to the schoo
population. The man living in Dakota county
will have more interest in this improvement
the legislator for Dakota county votes for al
appropriation for drainage in this county, b.
is voting to improve his own land, and tina
| Of his neighbors. This property viii only In
crease in value as the country becomes set
| tied, and under present conditions It canno
be settled for the next fifty, years: /
"This county is the height Of land In Min
nesota Water flows from it east into Lax
Superior north to the Lake ef the Woods
The greater part Of this is, swamp, with mar
row outlets draining into the rivers with plent,
of fall, often in few rods enough to drai,
| the whole swamp. ~ - ,,,,*@ -~,s.-..-.s !
Gan Be Made Productive
| "Beaver dams held the water back, and 10
years have been gradually filling up with de
cayed vegetable matter and most Of them ar
| from seven to ten feet deep, and only nee
drainage to make the land so productive tina
no system of cropping will reduce Its fertilit
| in 100 years. The taxes In this part OF til
country for the year 1908, on decided lands
amounted to an average of 25 cents an acre
Now we will suppose the next Legislature wi
say that the state ought to- pay taxes for q
least one year on all unsold lands, at tha
price. Put the money into drainage funt
where 1t will do the most good to the stat
at largei we should have fund Of nearly or
| million dollars, raised in one year. Take TIL
fund to build the main canals and let the cou,
ties thru which these canals run put in til
feeders. Have the state encourage ixnnnigr
ton; sell the lands frequently, on easy term
to- actual settlers. These lands would the
Immediately command price of $40 or $40 a
acre, where now they will not bring S..
quote from the auditors report, t9O3 page Q
1T will cost considerable, but It is safe
reckon that every dollar spent In drainage wi
be returned tenfold.' - Sc.
I'm my estimation, there is no propositi,
before the state OF SO much Importance as drai
age. The government should help it alon
just as 1t helps the irrigation Of the arid bel
The principle Is the same, only In this ca
we haveea surplus of water to dispose Of;
the other case, they need our oYersupply.''