The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1907-05-10

Conditions in the "Flickertail" State
were never better for the farmers
than they are this spring. Seeding is
going to be little late, but there is
abundant moisture in the ground, none
TOO much in any section, and the crop
Is insured fine start. The record of
last year was satisfactory, and the
homeseekers who have settled in the
state within the past two or three
years are now we'll satisfied that North
Dakota has made good" Contented
settlers are the best advertisement any
state can have, and the advantages of
North Dakota have been brought to
the attention of the folks back home SO
torcibly that the incoming homeseek-
ers this year are mostly people who
nave friends already on the ground,
settled and prosperous, men who have
made good" themselves.
Land values have naturally ad-
vanced somewhat in the sections
where the settlement has been most
active, but considering it's productive
power, North Dakota land is still
cheap, and one of the few places re-
naming where good land, suitable for
homesteads, is still to be had at low
price. 1t Is still the country of oppor-
tunity, but such an opportunity does
not always remain open. North Da-
kota land is going to strike it's true
price level within the next five years.
The wild land that waits the pillow in
the western counties awakes quickly
to fertility and doubles and trebles in
value under the labor Of the settler,
within two or three years. When that
untitled land is all taken up, the gold
en- opportunity will be gone.
Improved Farms on the Market.
Thousands of farmers in the older
settled portions of North Dakota have
felt the lure Of the west, and have sold
their high-priced farms to buy larger
ones. This has put many fine farms in
the Red river valley strip, and in the
counties just adjoining, on the market,
and more are being offered right along
at reasonable prices. There are some
fine openings to buy improved farms OF
the finest wheat land right in Grand
Forks, Trail, Walsh and Pembina
counties, and no one ever lost out on
such an investment. In fact, men with
capital who don't care to plunge on
margins, are putting some Of their
money into this good Red river valley
dirt this year, feeling that there could
not be better time to buy, and that
1t is good property even for non res.
ident. OF course, it is all the better
for the man who wants to run his own
farm. and there Is quite an active land
movement in these counties, also into
Barnes, Cass and Stutsman, down on
the Northern Pacific main line.
| A fine insurance Of the growth and
prosperity of this country, and of Its
railroads, true barometers of prosper.
! ty, is found in the acceptance Of the
states new passenger fare law. firing
| IL cents mile as the maximum
This puts North Dakota right in line
with as old state as Wisconsin, and
shows growing density Of population
and traffic, in which the people are
sharing the benefit. AS for freight
rates, it is a we'll known fact that the
markets is as low per mile as any
where in the world.
There is decided movement of set
tiers reported into Devils Lake and
surrounding country, especially in
Ramsey and Benson counties, where
new settlements are being opened up
and some fine land brought in reach of
the markets.
Still Coming Into the LOOP"
The Mouse river loop" which has
been leading in advertising and in de-
velopment for the past two or three
years, is still booming. The records
made by new settlers in McHenry,
Bottineau and Ward counties are at
tracing many more, and the influx
into Ward has been phenomenal. It
shows no signs of letting up, either,
till the available land is all taken up.
There are plenty of fine farms in that
reliable territory still to be carved out
and secured for low prices, and the
land men of Minot, Kenmare and the
other thriving towns of the s'loop''
country are busy this spring as cram
berry merchants.
Reports are received of the move.
ment into Williams county, and even
beyond there over the Montana line.
Williams has been making great
record with it's grain yields, and new
settlers have been cleaning up enough
in couple of seasons to practically
pay for their farms. Splendid oppor-
tunities are still to be had there this
year by the man who wants farm of
his own.
Stock raising is still one of the main
industries in the western counties,
though the wheat farmer has been
crowding the ranchman for room late
ly. OF course the eventual arrange
ment will include both, and will see
the slope counties the home of diversi-
fed farming, for it is an ideal cattle
country, and there is money In raising