The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-05-03

Conditions In the "hickertatls 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 set
tied 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 adj
vertisement any state can have, and
the advantages of North Dakota have
been brought to the attention of the
folks back home so forcibly that the
Incoming homeseekers this year are
mostly people who have friends al
ready on the ground, settled and pros
porous, men who have made goOd"
themselves.
Land values have naturally advanc-
ed somewhat in the sections where
the settlement has been most active,
but considering Its productive power,
North Dakota land is still cheap, and
one of the few places remaining
where good land. suitable for home
steads, is still to be had at a low
price. 1t is still the country of OPP
portunity, but such an opportunity
does not always remain open. North
Dakota land is going to strike its
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 golden opportunity will be
gone.
Improved Farms on Market.
Thousands of farmers in the older
settled portions of North Dakota have
felt the lure of the west. and have
sold their higher 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 Of
fered 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 PenIbina counties, and no
one ever lost out on such an invest
ment. 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 bet
ter time to buy, and that it is good
property, even for a nonresident. OF
course, 1t 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 instance of the growth and
prosperity of this country, and Of its
railroads, true barometers of pros
perfty, Is found in the acceptance of
the states new passenger fare law.
fixing 21s cents mile as the maxi
mum. This puts North Dakota right
In line with as old state as Wis
consin, and shows growing density
of population and traffic, in which the
people are sharing the benefit. AS
Tor freight rates. it is l. well-known
fact that the grain rate from North
Dakota to the markets is as low per
mile as anywhere in the world.
There Is a 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 "L0op."
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. 1t
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 new towns of the
''loop" country are busy this spring
as cranberry merchants.
Reports also reach here of the
movement into Williams county, and
even beyond there over the Montana
line. Williams has been making
great record with its grain yields, and
new settlers have been cleaning up
enough in a couple of seasons to
practically pay for their farms. Spleen
did opportunities are still to be had
there this year, by the man who wants
q farm of his own.
Stock raising is still one of the
main industries in the western coun-
ties. though the wheat farmer has
been crowding the ranchman for room
lately. OF course the eventual ar
rangement will include both, and will
see the slope counties the home of
diversified farming for it is an ideal