The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-12
BANKS SWOLLEN
BY GOLDEN HOARDS
RICHES AND PROSPERITY IN
BROWN COUNTY, 8. D.
Favored with a Matchless Climate and
Fertile Soil, It's Progress Kas Been
One Of the Most Striking In the
State.
BY HERBERT vANpERHooF.

Among the many natural advantages
enjoyed by the prosperous state of South
Dakota, that Of the favorable climatic con-
ditions must be reckoned with as first in
the list. Little snow falls before the holt
days, and cattle and horses find pasture
In abundance until the early part Of
December. Heavy though the white
fakes from cloudland cover, the earth
during mtdwinter, they are neutralized
by the warm glow Of the sunshine.
The native grass of South Dakota
bravely withstands the onslaughts of win
ter, 1t cures into good hay, and affords
excellent grazing the whole year round.
And the soil, kindly treated by the forces
of nature, affords ample scope for the
well rewarded efforts Of the agriculturist.
Situated in the northern tier of South
Dakota's counties, less than a hundred
miles from the Minnesota line.s Brown
county has become an envied goal for the
homeseeker anxious to invest his more or
less limited capital In ground which prom
ises good returns. In common with many
other South Dakota counties. Brown
county enjoys an abundant supply of
artesian water. .,., .}.re@ 80
But Brown county does not depend
upon the artesian wells for the watering
of its crops. The wells are useful, very
useful, in their way. Employed as water
power they furnish force which is in
valuable for Industrial purposes. And their
usefulness does not end in that particular.
Take, for instance, Aberdeen, the coun
ty seat of Brown. No fire engines are
needed in that fortunate city. The great
! artesian mains which flow under the
| town furnish all the ammunition needed
when the god Of flames starts on his
journey to scorch and destroy.
Power Of ArtesIan Streams.
No sooner is the fire alarm sounded
than fame fighters and their hose carts
appear upon the scene. Swiftly the long
lengths of hose are unreeled and attached
to the water plugs which stand at every
other corner. The power is turned on,
and forthwith stream gushes out over
topping the tallest buildings in the city.
It is natures own remedy; human made
machines are drug on the market. The
fire shrinks before the heavy crushing
onslaught from the overlooking mains,
and is finally Kissed into silence.
| Yet this is not the only use to which
the artesian wells can be put. While
the water from this source is not con-
sidered the best in the world for agri-
cultural purposes, 1t Is unequaled in its
tonic qualities and for stock. Animals of
all kinds grow fat and healthy on artesian
drinking water. Its barely perceptible
salt, almost iron, taste acts as an excel
lent stimulant for the appetite, and cat
tie used to its properties will invariably
refuse any other kind Of water.
| AS regards its crops, Brown county is
especially fortunate, in view of the fact
that the rainfall Is sufficient for the fur
nishing of moisture in plenty. Irrigation
Is totally unnecessary. The crops ma
ture without any trouble on the farmers
part. Artificial means give way to the
all providing resources of nature.
| The soil Is Of a kind to delight the eye
Of the prospective settler It is a deep,
black loan, with porous clay subsoil,
| Which serves as a reservoir for moisture,
to be given up in heavy dews when most
needed. Except in limited areas, little
gravel Is found. nor is the land sandy or
stony. :
OF its fertility there can be no question.
| and grain of all kinds tiourlshes in rich
abundance. Wheat. oats, barley, rye,
Hax and speltz yield profitable returns,
ana the hay crop has never been known