Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-02-07
After Forty Years.

south Dakota is no longer an expert
ment More than twenty years have
elapsed since the agricultural population
| Ilrst came into the state, and Che entire
portion east Of the Missouri has been
/ settled for more than twenty years,
The pioneer settlers WE'RE confronted by
new conditions. Many OF them who
came to Dakota as homsteaders, We're
factory operatives and tradesmen,
wholly inexperienced in agriculture.
That many should fail and give up in
encouragement was Inevitable And
Too there were periods calculated to try
the hearts OF the most experienced.
Ere flood, drought, seem to be the
portion of pioneer in every section, and
south Dakota has been no exception to
the general rule. But once tried out.
countenance and showers the faithful.
ones with many favors. So it has been
N Dakota The men and woman who
mad the faith and courage to stick it
out have learned the heart secrets of
the mother state and she has given to
them The blessings OF great happiness
aud prosperity. She has taught them
the trick of the soil Inch bytinch she
has yielded to them for fruitful agri-
culture until all of her Astounding do
main blossoms with rich harvests or
nonrshing pastures where uucounted
heards fatten on the lush grasses: and
where once the buffalo and antelope
painted for water there now gushes from
her bosom many hundreds of never
falling fountains, feeding purling
streams and beautiful lakes, about
which springs groves to shade and com
fort the land Even her breath, once
holland screening asa desert wind. has
become soft and humid, bearing fire.
quent showers to refresh the earth.
In other words, forty years of occupa.
zion and experience have taught the
south Dakotan how to await himself of
the natural conditions and adapt his
methods. to the best ends, and in this
age, where material results are the
measure CT all values, South Dakota
passes the extreme test, for she Yields
to her people more per capita wealth
1tian any other commonwealth.
20 summarize in a paragraph the
advantages which South Dakota pre-
seilts to the homeseeker, it may be
SAID that the soil is uniformly fertile,
producing fair returns of all field crops
indigenous to the northern states.
Wheat growing is no longer a chief
though a good crop may
always be counted upon. Corn is fast
encroaching upon the wheat fields with
most advantageous results. Barley
is q sure. aud profitable crop of growing
Importance. Flax is extensively and
protitably grown. Hay and fodder
grow III prodigious quantities and find
9 profitable market for shipment.
'Dairyingg has reyolutlonized many
sections aud is nnquestionably the
coming great industry OF the state,
: S < ~ =
already adding millions per year to her
wealth, Cattle, hogs, sheep and horses
are turning thirtyStiye millions per year
into the Golfers Of our breeders and
feeders. Iii the great livestock para
disc, Tor here
s' IS Is q tioIlara year will keep Il steer.
Is These are some Of the material ad !
yantages offered. On one side south |
dakota .ss offers a highly develop |
ed 8citizensliip, fully organized for all
ltl g 2 School, churches, univer-
sites, hospitals. Intelligence, soLerity.
morality, patriotism. Everything which
combines GO t. make the home congenial.
comfortable and prosperous i
DoANE RoBlNsoN.