The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-05-12
Reflections.

/ TO the TeaIlZitlOn, that In order to
meet the demands of an ever and
rapidly increasing population and
necessity of supplies, IN re land
must be opened up and prepared
for occupation. This is especially
true and obvious in the United
States. Considering the age of this
glorious land, that is, since it was
known as tho United States of
America. we do not hesitate to
prophesy that it will ultimately be
the storehouse and Motherland of
coming generations throughout the
world, from which all other nations
will, in large measure, have to look
to for staple supplies. There are
other virgin territories it is true, as
in Africa, Canada, and even far
distant Alaska, but the u N e d
States is situated in such position
that practically all of her territory
lies within zones which are benefi-
cial to agriculture Then, again,
her magnificent rivers, W hich so
bounteously nourish the soil, fer
tile prairies, ore-laden mountain
systems, expansive forests and null
| titudes of lakes, all com biDe to make
the future prosperity such as no
other continent can equal. If we
compare Africa's possible future
with the future of this country, we
readily note two main contrasts Of
vital Importance to prosperity and
commercial progress, namely, eli
mate and the general geological
formation of the land. While
Africa may possess untold undis-
covered wealth. difficulty imme-
diately confronts mankind in the
transporting Of her products to the
civilized world insofar that Africa's
geological formation is such as
would make 1t very expensive to
the farmer and producer, particu-
larly in the interior, to transport
his produce for shipment to the
worlds markets. Climate. however,
also plays an important part in this
difficulty Of transportation. We
all know, more or less, what Afri-
cas- climate is, generally. Til O S
portions of the continent. such as
he Congo territory, Uganda. the
Upper Nile territory and British
East Africa, of which explorers re-
port SO favorhbly, are, with somt
exceptions in the last named ter
ritory, all situated in higher alti-
tudes than the seaports, and hence
have congenial climates. The sea-
ports are all situated on low land,
those nearest to this promising
territory lie in the torrid zone and
are more affected by the fierce rays
of the tropical sun and attendant
unhealthy climates. Turning again
to the United States we at once see
that the geological formation of the
land and also the climate, alleviate
the problem Of transportation. 1t
Is obvious that her climate is that
which is most tolerable, inasmuch
as thousands of people from all
chimes, have been pouring into the
States and Canada during the last
decades and have no inconvenience
in getting acclimatized. In conse-
quence, therefore, of this demand
upon the United States, vast terri
tories, formerly supposed to be USE
less for agriculture, are being pre-
pared for occupation and cultiva-
ton by means of irrigation. This
new work which the Government
has taken up is of vital Importance
and should be encouraged and
pushed on until all that land, now
lying as God created it, is prepared
for occupation and cultivation.
AT THIS TIME all the world has
it's attention attracted by the press,
to the tour of our noted ex-Presi-