The Irish standard., 1908-10-10

most fully realized. The soil has been
proven to be of the very best kind
admirably adapted to grain and stock
raising. Failures of crops. never more
than partial, have been most rare, and.
when such did occur. they were alto
gcther due to very exceptional atmos-
pheric conditions.
The settlers who held to their farms,
and gave evidence of industry and
forethousht have invariably not only
secured to themselves and to their
families the means Of an honorable
livelihood, but have become wealthy,
and are today independent Of all the
whims and chances of fortune.
. The religious life of the settlers is
cared for III Graceville, and it's adta-
cent territory as in few other locali-
ties of the Northwest. Today within
the limits of the original Colony there
are no less than six Catholic parishes,
with resident priests and a. Catholic
population of over five hundred fam
lilies. In the village of Craceville IT.
self magnificent convent and school
buildings have been erected by the
Sisters of st. Joseph, and last year be-
tween day scholars and boarders their
pupils numbered nearly three hun
hat Co. lH~r
the religious interests of the Catholic
people is a guarantee that in the fu-
ture everything else will be done that
those interests NAY require.
The scattered pieces of land, whicl,
for one reason or another are for salo
today in the counties of Big stone and
Traverse, while no longer to be had
for the trifling prices Of the early
years of the settlement, arc offered at
comparatively cheap rates. as is to
be seen from the prices of land in ter.
ritories Immediately south and east Of
Minnesota and in the older districts
of Minnesota itself. Nor are those
counties of Big Stone and Traverse
wanting in any of the advantages of
market or social environment of which
those older regions are the benef1ciar-
les. Farther north or west prices Of
land may at irst sight seem some.
what'lower;- not SO; however. when all
circumstances and surroundings are
properly taken into consideration.
Those in search Of homes on tho
land, whose means at all permit then,
to settle III the vicinity of Graccville,
should not think Of wandering farth.
cr afield., And to those already set
tied there, I am ready to say that to
leave their farms in that region in the
delusion of finding better locations
elsewhere, or of improving their lot IL,
large cities. is an act Of supreme i'm.
providence.
For all who toll for livelihood the
| farm is the place. or this 10 doubt ia
allowed. Tho lessons of experience es.
tablisling this statement arc too MI.
inerous and too significant to be liz.
norcd by any who have really at heart
their own comfort as we'll as the COM
fort and moral safety of their chill
tlrcn. For far beyond a quarter of q
century / have preached the doctrine
OF homes upon the land; and today !
still preach it, with convictions deep.
cninG through years, and with resolve
OF will made stronger by observation
Of the conditions / have known and
studied in cities and amid country life.
A pity 1t is, and for very many most
serious misfortune, that the opportu-
mites Of securing homes upon the LAND
are 50 rapidly diminishing in America.
Yet a few years moro, to own a farm
will be the privilege of the rich man.
While farms still may be obtained,
even at some sacrifice Of labor and pa
tfencc, they should be obtained quick
~; and the men who own farms
should never hcarkcn to the tcmpta.
ton Of departing from them.
JOHN IRELAND,