The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-04
NORTHERN EMPIRE
IMPRESSES PARTY
DRAINAGE INVESTIGATORS Re-
TURN TO TWIN CITIES.

D $50 + & 4 z - rs :. Il
representatives of Minneapolis, St,
( Paul and Duluth Commercial Bodies
Come Home Enthusiastic Advocates
of Canal and Ditch Work, Thru State
Aid, in Northern Minnesota.
Extending across the entire northern
part Of Minnesota is an empire at
soon be reclaimed and opened to set
tiers. Some of this country, known as
the swamp region Of Minnesota, is
the most fertile in the state. Men Of
northern Minnesota assert that with a
system Of drainage Systematically car
ried out under the supervision of the
state authorities, 100000 acres Of land
can be opened for settlement, capable
of supporting a population equal to the
The conditions existing in this coun-
try, its possibilities and resources, have
been under consideration this week by
representatives of the commercial
bodies Of the twin cities and Duluth;
by congressional representatives., legis-
lators, engineers, railroad men and
others. The result is an awakened in
terest in the question Of state develop
ment, especially in the north. Here
the state owns lands now uninhabitable
and worthless. The national govern
have tracts. At a cost Of from 81 to
$3.50 an acre, engineers say, this land
can be drained with system OF
bitches and canals. It is rich, fertile
country if drained, as has been proven
on small tracts already ditched and
drained by the state and private own
ers. Reclaimed, it is said, it would sell
for from SO to $12 an acre. The land is
especially adapted to grasses and coarse
crops, tho it will produce rich crops in
a wide variety. It is admirably adapt.
ed to stock raising. ~N>
Two Days in the North.
The drainage investigation party
that has visited the sections Of the
| swamp country returned to Minneap
oils last night. Two days were spent
| along the Minnesota & international
railroad, from Brainerd to Big Falls
1874 miles north and forty miles from
| the Canadian line. AS result of the
| trip it is probable that the commercial
interests Of the city will be enthusiastic
advocates Of state development.
Tho hurried, the trip was thoro
Stops were made at stations along thu
line where settlers had displays showing
what can be done under adverse condi
tions. The nature of the land, thu
ures, were explained by the engineer
of the state drainage commission. TIL,
displays were not only credit to tn
small settlements offering them, bu
were revelation to the members O.
the party. Andrew Boss Of the stat
farm school pronounced the vegetable
some of the best he has seen in maxim!
country fairs thruout the state, and de
clared one sample of wheat shown a
Blackjack was the finest sample O.
spring wheat he has seen this year
That the few people who are settle.
in this trackless waste are interested
hopeful, and look to the cities and tn
rest of the state for aid, was show
by the enthusiasm and interest show!
in their preparations and reception
along the line, 10. s.,.ssss,. -.
The Fine Exhibits.
! The FIST stop of the. trip was at 5Bi
Falls, where a small exhibit was showr
At ..Margey, small station south o
Big Falls in the heart Of the wilder
ness, short stop was made. ~ Their
was a! creditable display of product
with some specially fine samples Of &C.
cry grown on the edge of the swampl
Other stops were at: Mizpah, and a
Northome, where q fair was in progress
with displays of grasses, grain an
other products in great variety. Ser
ator Clapp congratulated the people o
their display, and pledged his. infuenc
for reclamation. Then the party VII
tied Funkley and Kelliher,. and the
Blackjack, where there was a remark
able display, and an enthusiastic. NEE
ing: Tuesday night was spent at b
: The country south of ~Bemidji is GU
; side the heart of the swamp regio1
but work must be done in many place
turnout the district and to the eas
| and west. Wednesday the party wi
tied Walker. Backus, Pine River, P
quot and Brainerd. At Pine River
fair was in progress, with another cree
as farm products. After visiting tt
exhibits, Senator Clapp made a sho
address of congratulation and eneou
agement. r.: :.
| r. All Favor Drainage.
There is no doubt that the ireprese;
tatives of the Minneapolis Commerce
club, the St. Paul Jobbers associatio
the Duluth Commercial club and OF
ers in the party are enthusiastical
in favor Of taking up the work of r
claiming and developing by drainag
The exhibits will be carefully zcollectt
and preserved, to be shown before tt
legislature next winter. Tho the sout
ern part of the state is now oppose
to state appropriations for drainage,
is hoped that the campaign will sho
the southern legislators the value
the work and the rich returns it W
| bring the state. With the north f
drainage, and with the delegatio
: from the twin cities and Duluth assis
- ing, the work can be started The gu
port of the south, tho, is wanted, too.
The value Of this northern land. 4
claimed and opened for settlement,
almost beyond comprehension. At pre-
ent the tide of immigration is pouri
I thru Minnesota to the west and mort
l 1t is not stopping here, but with t
north developed, the population of t
! state might be. doubled. with a lare
field for manufacturers and iobbers
the cities. .....;
The value and Importance. Of IL
\ reclamation to Minneapolis cannot
y overestimated, say the Minneapo
y men who were, on the trip. -
/ Ask for Grandma s Breakfast S:
sage-choicest selected meat and pur
spices only. See them made at T
Provision company. ~,
z, ~