The Somerset reporter., 1909-02-04
THREE PROPOSITIONS.

4 reader of these notes living in
jefferson county, ILL.,. writes, making
inquiry which would be the best Of
three farming propositions which he
describes somewhat in detail. For the
benefit of some other readers who
may be somewhat similarly situated
and have about the same problems to
solve we take up the alternatives
which he presents somewhat in detail.
Our correspondent lives In a section
in Illinois where the land Is valued
at 500 per acre less than the best
corn belt land farther north, and there
the soil is very much less productive.
He feels that to make a satisfactory
income from the tilling of this poor
land he will have to invest $700 to $500
In commercial fertilizers the coming
year and probably have to spepd more
or less along this line annually there
after. The question which arises in
business standpoint 1t will be best to do
this. remaining In his present location;
go to western Canada, where he has
found an agreeable and bracing sum-
mer climate and where he can buy
good raw land on the crop payment
basis but which will have to be built
up" as 1t were, or move west and take
up land in connection with some OF
the irrigation projects, a type of farm
ing with which he Is not acquainted
from experience, but which he be-
lieves he can get N to if others can.
Important factors affecting the wis
dom Of n choice in our friends case
are that he will have $4,000 If he sells
his present holdings, that his chief
concern for the future is the welfare
of his wife and two little children, who
are willing to accompany him wher-
ever II may seem best to locate, while
two brothers-in-law are ready to go
with him and share his lot Our cor
respondent rightly appreciates both
the difficulty and the responsibility
which one must assume who would es-
say to suggest or advise In such a
case, for it Is no easy matter. How
ever, we would suggest the wisdom
In the present instance of our friends
visiting in the near future several of
the best known irrigation tracts and
get information from others than those
financially interested In the sale Of
land touching climatic conditions,
crops raised and prices to be got, as
we'll as school, social and other priv
ileges which have a vital bearing on
a familys contentment and happiness.
In most western states where these
irrigation projects are located the eli
mate Is nearly ideal, being neither SO
cold in winter nor so warm In sum-
mer as in the Mississippi valley states,
while the soil vitaliZed by the magic
touch of water becomes marvelously
productive. Our inquirer is well ac-
quainted with the Illinois situation.
has visited western Canada. and when
he has sized up the opportunities avail
able in the irrigation sections he should
be able to make a wise choice, having
as basis first hand information. II
the land on which he Is at present To-
Gated is just naturally poor and can
not be rejuvenated by the growing Of
clovers and dairying and If the Cana
dian land Is located in section of un-
certain summer seasons, with bitter
cold In winter, we should by all means
recommend the irrigation project. but
only after one had visited several so
that he may know in advance the ad-
vantages as well as the drawbacks
which may be connected with them.