The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-04
BY HERBERT vAhDERHooF.

BY HERBERT svANDERHooF.
In Chicago. when it is desired to show
he visiting stranger the sights of inter-
st, a visit to the stock yards is generally
n order. In North Dakota they take
heir siviting strangers and show them
some Of the bonanza farms for which the
state is SO widely celebrated. That was n
now 1 came to visit the great Dalrymple
farm in the Red River valley This Is a
farm of $4,000 acres, and 1t is conducted II
with method and precision that has
made it one Of the most valuable farms
In the world.
I mention this farm simply to show how
fortunes are made in North Dakota, not
alone from the cultivation Of the land,
but also from the latter's increase in
value. Mr.. Dalrymple came here In 1875,
and in connection with some other gentle
men obtained control Of $4,000 acres OF
land. This land was acquired at from 40
to 60 cents an acre, and farming opera
tons were at once begun. the first crop |
being raised in 1875 Since that time the
land has been continually under cultiva
ton. At first wheat was the crop raised
almost exclusively, but Of late years corn,
oats, millet and barley are raised so as
to give rotation Of crops. Some of the
land on this farm has produced twenty
six successive crops of wheat, and at
times from twenty eight to- thirty BUSH
els per acre on an entire section.
Regarding the value Of this land now,
Mr.. Dalrymple says:
"As the farmers OF North Dakota de-
velop. the productive qualities Of the land
they demonstrate it's value. My land
was purchased at from 40 to 60 cents an
acre. It Immediately took on a value Of
IS an acre in 1876 and from that time on
has increased in value a dollar an acre
per annurn, making it's present value
from $50 to $40 per acre, and In my judg
ment it will continue to increase in value
at that rate for the next twenty-fv
years. And if it still continues for the
next fifty years, as it probably will, it
will then have reached a value no higher
| than lands inferior to North Dakota
states, so far as the essential elements Of
the soil and climate are concerned.
Diversity In Cultivation.
II now raise over 1000 acres Of corn
every year, and the crop has matured
every year since 1888. We have developed
ae f9pR by ysda ery that ssadRtory
turn. Wheat has been tho great staple
crop on my farm. But Of late years !
have begun to diversity and now. grow
about 400 horses Clean land and high
culture Is now g, constant aim on my
farm, where in. the beginning to grow
principal object: Bronze grass is found
perfectly reliable and ga tisfactory fo1
both hay and pasture. Timothy and clo-
TED TIED extent. mt" Millet IS grown quite large
much feed ."
I only mention the case Of the Dial.
tkat await atm the farmer p@ ' and Investor Il
North Dakota today. The Dalrymple
case Is not an exception. but 1t Is the
ing into the state every year, abandoning
the high-priced lands Of the older settled
states, in order that they may take w
some Of the free lands that abound In the
| state, or else buy some of the cheaI
lands that are being made accessible by
the great railway extensions that have
been going on: There is nothing of un'
The capacity Of the land has been proved
and one seasons crop generally pays fol
the land and leaves snug sum besides
farm in the Red River valley; today be-
cause that section Of the state Is prett,
well settled and land is held at a fail
value. OF course, there is land for sal,
} there, and always will be, for a price I
) is the most productive land on the west
ern hemisphere, and the Red River Of tn
North has been aptly named the mil
Of the western world" But the new set
tier wants land that is selling for IS a.
acre or upward as rule, and "a does e;u no
priced lands. And at these low price
he can take his pick from a variety Q
lands, adapted to every form Of agricul
! ture, and 1t Is on these lands, which ar
1 mainly in the western part Of the state
!, that the great development is now go
Ling ON. IL ! 49, -----. - ~ = >