The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1909-01-15
rhREE pRopoalrIons.

n IG0QGl VI tUGBt uVNE1 LYNX IN
Jefferson county, H., 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 800 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 satisfactory
income from the filling OF this poor
land he win have to invest 800 to $500
in commercial fertilizers the coming
year and probably have tn spend more
or less along this line annually there
after The question which arises In
our friends mind is whether from
business standpoint II will be best 20 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 win have to be ''built
up" as It were, or move west and take
mp 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 on 10 II others can.
Important factors affecting the wis
dom OF choice In our friends case
are that he Will have $1,000 IL 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-lnw ore ready to 20
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
case, for It Is no easy matter. How
over, 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 10 be got, ms
well as school. social and other priv
ileges which have vital bearing on
a familys contentment and happiness. /
In most western states where these
irrigation projects are located the elf 1
mate is nearly ideal. being neither 80
cold In winter nor SO warm I'm sum-
mer as in the Mississippi valley states,
while the soil vitnlized by the magic 1
touch OF water becomes mnrvelously l
productive. Our Inquirer IN well nc. /
quainted with the Illinois situation. \
has visited western Canada. and when I
he has sized up the opportunities avail /
abie 10 The .siSsglon sections he should /
be able to mrke.a wise choice, having 1
as 2 bnsie fit@t hand Information II |
the land on Which he Is at pr,sent To-
ented IL JUST naturally poor and can.
not be rejuvenated by the growing OF !
clovers and dairylng and If the Cana
dian land IN located In n section Of un- I
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 nd |
yantages as well NJ the drawbacks |
which may be connected with them.