Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1908-06-11
WHERE THE LAND
Is FREE AND THE
CROPS GROW BIG


The evolution Of the cattle range of
western South Dakota has been so
startling that even the immigration
agent and the land boomer fails to
have kept in touch with the tide of de-
yelopment. Only two or three years
ago the 'cow" men Wore comparatively
few. They we're the most persistent
knockers of the man with the pillow.
But like hypnotized aggregation of
men they have redoubled the efforts of
tho new conner, and today the old sstt-
Ter is the leading farmer, The evil
dences of great agriculture and dairy
Developments in the homestead district
west OF the Missouri river are multi
plying SO fast that an expert mathe-
matician would get lost trying to keep
in touch with the reports.
James Philip is known as the "Buf-
falo King" A few years ago his busi-
ness was all wild cattle. Last year he
put part of his former cattle feeding
ground into potatoes and he raised
twenty-five acres without any irriga-
ton, that yielded 1865 bushels to tho
acre. He has sold over 5000 bushels,
none of them at less than 75c per bu-
shell at the farm. He has also seld
about 800 bushels of seed corn at So
per bushel. and could have sold more
of both corn and potatoes if he had
them to spare He is raising lot Of
hogs, having alfalfa pasture for them,
and is seeding a lot more ground to al
falfa this spring A herd law nosd
have no terrors for the man who works
on this system.
Among the men who worked for him
a few years ago was Peter Joslin who
is now his son-in-law. Mr.. j oslin has
a homestead near Midland and he mas
gone into farming in dead earnest He
had soWn one hundred acres of small
grain before the recent wet spell, which
looked pretty good to him.
Speaking of him the Stockgrowers
! News says: The new settlers will
have to step along some if they get
ahead OF some of the old time cowboys
who are turning their attention to farm
ing"
Thus the evidences of distinct
change are manifest to all who will
simply take notice. The cowboy has
turned to the plowboy. The man who
watched brands on beasts few years
ago is now the most studious observer
OF new brands OF seed.
One Of the best known mon in the
cowboy camps of western South Dakota
is Eb Jones. He has turned agricul-
turist now, and recent communication
from him to the Fort Pierre Stock
growers News is typical of the man,
and shows what type of believers in
the future greatness of western South
Dakota the converted COW man u.s. His
letter is short, but it tells wealth Of
news to the man who is watching the
homestead country change from the
range to the richest land in the richest
state of the Union. 1t is as follows:
"We are pleased to receive letter
this week from our old friend, Eb Jones.
known for years here as one Of the best.
range men in the business. The report
he speaks of shows that Of the hundred
kernels OF corn every one was found
perfect in terminating quality. No
wonder Ed feels little proud Of the
fact that he has taken up homestead
and is leading in the matter Of making
Stanley county over into a farming
county. The letter follows:
"Mr. Hugh ,Jeffries, Fort Pierre, S. d.
"Friend Hugh: Knowing you to ba
one of the most interested men in set
Ting and making farming country
OF Stanley county, you will find enclos-
ed report to me from the United
States Department of Agriculture, Of
100 kernels of corn, one kernel off Of
each ear OF hundred ears picked out
OF my crib last fall, at random; the crib
containing 1900 bushels Of corn. This
corn was raised on 50 acres Of sod. It
was all ripe by the, 10th of September.
| have put the so acres into oats and
speltz this year, and have already brok
en- 60sacres which will put sod corn in.
+ Now there are thousands of acres of
vacant land in Stanley county just rs
good as this. | also raised last year,
speltz, oats, cane, kaflir corn and alfalfa
which is coming fine this spring.
" Hoping if you see fit to print this.
it may bring settlers to Stanley county
also saying that have neither corn nor
land to sell, and am only speaking Of
Stanley county in general.
With best regards, am, yours truly.
5 "Eb Jones'
Our state commissioner Of immiRra-
ton can do nothing better than keen
out guide light to the toiling mil
lions Of the east who have no homes. 4
to light their path to this once great u
cattle range and present scene Of a9ri-
cultural tranRformaki0n.