The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-04-30
THE DEBT.RIDDEN FARMER.

The Breeders Gazette, a stock jour
nal published at Chicago, has been
devoting considerable space OF late 10
the question of immigration to this
state, and peculiarly is not only OPP
posed 10 the same, but iistorts the
truth in order to impress the outside
world with the imaginary dangers OF
locating in what it lesignates us the
semiaIid region.
What the motive OF the Breeders
Gazette is in taking this unwarranted
and unreasonable stand would indeed
be difficult TO determine. If it be for
the purpose OF preventing the farmers
of the older states from migrating TO
North Dakota, the Gazette exhibits an
abnormal amount OF ignorance con-
corning actual conditions in this state
Or resorts to prevarication in a man
ner unworthy OF a respectable journal.
claims that the villages in the semi
arid region are poverty stricken. and
without the means or ability 10 pay.
From these false premises it is able
to reason that the opportunities in the
older states OF the middle west are
superior to those of North Dakota, and
that the farmer who is seeking
change OF location would do better TO
invest in the high priced lands of these
states than in the commercially cheap
lands of this state.
1t may be true that many of the
people, especially the farmers of the
state, are in debt during the first few
years of their residence. There is
reason for this, however.
The vast majority of them come here
with but little OF this worlds goods.
They have lived so long on the high
priced lands of the states mentioned
by the Gazette, and have received so
little remuneration above the rents
they We're required TO pay, that they
have nothing left but energy, which
the conditions under which they lived
have abnormally developed. They
could never hope to own foot OF land
did they remain in these older states.
They come 10 North DAKOTA and with
no more money Than ii would require
to pay the cash rent on !, farm in their
old home they purchase quarter or
half section. and begin farming upon
their owD responsibility.
They 90 in debt for seed, for ma
chinery. for stock, and often for their
living expenses. IN this particular the
Gazette is correct
But when the harvest time comes
and the years labor is turned into
money the current debts are paid out
OF the proceeds and a considerable
slice is taken off the farm debt. The
process is repeated for a few years,
the debt against the farm gradually
growing smaller until the last dollar
Is wiped out, and that even around
North Dakota farm fireside is gath
cred the happiest family on Gods loot
stool. The farm is paid for and the
home is their own. The broad acres
that have yielded up their wealth to
accomplish this end belong to them.
They sit beneath their own roof tree
and are the dependents of none
During these few years they may
have lived in house more useful than
ornamental and on the evening of the
lifting of the debt from the farm they
plan for new home where they may
have the luxuries as we'll as the COM
aorts of life. They may not have the
money to build just now, but the land
which cost them ten dollars an acre is
now worth twenty-five and the bank
ers are willing to loan twenty dollars
an acre upon it. Why should they
stint themselves longer in the way of
a home when they can build and pay
the debt while enjoying the property?
The atmosphere of North Dakota does
not contain any germs of the disease
called delay. The money is borrowed
and soon comfortable home is ready
for occupancy. Again the farm yields
up its wealth and in a comparatively
short time the family, which elsewhere
would never have known the owner
ship of the home roof. are surrounded
with every comfort of life.
:. But having once tasted the bitter
ness Of being in debt the average
North Dakota farmer seems unable to
live without it. Just across the road
IL half section of land owned by
someone who lives in one Of the states