Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-11-04
POINTED QUERY PUT
TO UNCLE SAM
WHY BOOM AND ADVERTISE iR-
RlGATED LAND IN SOME
STATES
WHEN MANY OTHERS HAVE ADJ
VANTAGES JUST AS
GREAT.

The federal government is about
to establish an exhibit in Chicago in
which to show products grown upon
irrigated lands out west "Why?"
asks A. D. Campbell Wisconsin com
missioner Of immigration, If irrigat-
ton is provided purely to take care of
the demand for homes, why the need
Of this and other advertising?
Many states, he declares, have
large unoccupied areas in the rain
belt, where irrigation is not needed,
and it is not at all to their interests
to have the federal government get
into the advertising field with displays.
lantern lectures and in other direc-
lions. 1t is claimed in all federal ir-
rigatiOn literature that this work is
carried ON merely to supply a press
ing demand for homes. Then why
this advertising campaign? he de-
mands. States and individuals want
settlers-why should the federal gov
eminent go into the promotion bust
ness? Is it anxious to unload its hold
ings?
If the federal government is solely
concerned in informing the public
where homes may be had, then why
rot provide space where Wisconsin.
Minnesota and Michigan may exhibit
products from their hardwood areas,
the combined acreage of which ex-
Deeds over 100000? Why is the
federal government now for the first
time so anxious to dispose of public
lands? Why is the supply Of irrigated
lands so far ahead of normal demand
as to require, or suggest, an adver-
Using campaign? We have heard of
The conservation of public lands: we
read now of their exploitation.
Why should the prestige Of the fed
eral government be used in one di-
rectiOn while in other directions the
same government has productive
lands? And why should not such an
exhibit, if it is to prevail at all, in
clude exhibits from any large area
of unoccuDied lands?
Wisconsin has 100000 acres of
rich hardwood timber lands, sur
rounded by the best of markets, with
ample rainfall distributed through the
season to produce maximum crops,
with splendid climate and the purest
Of water, where crops are not penal
lied by a lOng-distance freight rate, or
supplies burdened by the natural con
sequences of isolation.
What will these lands produce? All
the cereals in abundance, clover pas
lures and meadows such as are sell
dom seen, corn as high as sixty
bushels an acre, potatoes of the best
quality at from $50 to 200 bushels an
acre ard even more, root crops In sur
pTising proportions, sugar beets bring
from $50 to over 500 an acre, tobac-
co at 500 to 5000 and more an acre,
peas at from $25 to SIS an acre de
livered in the straw at the canning
factory. They will produce all the
small fruits in abundance, in some
sections ap lies up to $500 an acre
cherries upward of $500 an acre.
This land, with the large timber
cut off, may be purchased, close to
live and growing towns. in the very
midst of a splendid market at from
$40 to $40 an acre. And inexpensive
modern machinery will clear this
and quickly; instance the Waukesha
Canning company clearing 40 acres
this year and the partial clearing of
600 acres more, to be completed next
year.
To cultivate this magnificent area
requires no expert knowledge in en-
gineering or agriculture: to locate on
it necessitates no expensive trekktng |
to distant points, nor is the settlel |
isolated from cities. extensive mar
kets, universities and colleges.
Mr.. Campbell says he is not at ali |
but rather favors, an exhibit |
that will enable the homeseeking pub
lie to learn about unOccUpied lands. |
but he desires to point out a larger !
scope and one in which the federal |
government can perform the function |
owed to the people without menacing /
the rights or hazarding the interests !
of any state or section. Certainly !
the average homeseeker is confused as !
to the best prevailing opportunities. !
Surely such an exhibit, covering all |
large areas Of unOccupied lands, |
would be of great value; but the gov |
eminent cannot consistently develop |
irrigation schemes on the claim of a
pressing public demand and then en-
ter upon narrow and exclusive adj
campaign Dredicated on the