The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1911-05-18
WITHOUT A PAUPER."

Governor John Burke tells of the agricultural re-
sources of North Dakota when he says:
We are just beginning to realize that the soil
is our greatest resource. Until recently it was of
little value Buyers we're few for the that it
was not necessary to purchase. Any one could
acquire title to 100 acres of land by filing it and
living it for five years, or living on it for four
teen months and paying $l25
The time is at hand when the government
will have. no more agricultural lands. 1t is now
opening Indian reservations to supply the demand,
and in little while all the government lands of
the United States will be occupied We cannot
add to the supply, but the contrary we are los
ing thousands of of year from unbridled
floods in our neglected rivers. With the govern
ment land gone and population steadily and
rapidly increasing, it is apparent that while our
exports have helped to feed the hungry in every
land, we look into the future and our every
acre taxed to sustain people. The soil is
our greatest resource for upon its production all
animal life depends. With the increase in popula
ton there must necessarily be increase in pro-
duction consumption and land values Who can
estimate the future value of our rich agricultural
North Dakota lands of which we have TO- 100000
acres, only little half of which is now under
cultivation? Who can estimate the untold riches
their full development and culture will bring to the
state?
We have just begun to develop. A little while
ago our state was called the bread basket of the
world, because of fine quality of No. l wheat
We were known as wheat state, but We have found
from experience that we can grow about any ag-
ricultural product that can be grown anywhere. 1t
may be said that cur seasons are shorter than the
seasons farther south seasons shorter,
our days are longer.
We are now raising all of the tame grasses,
corn and all kinds Of vegetables, well as all OF
the small grains We are rotating crops and
we are dversfying with stock and dairy In 1905
there were ninety-two creameries in operation in
the state that paid out to patrons $510672.70; be-
sides great deal of cream was shipped out of the
state the Twin Cities and other cities that is not
accounted for. TO this list of creameres were
added number during the year 1909; the number
of which is not at hand; but great interest is mani
tested at the present time in this state in daryns
and we have dairy department connected with the
agricultural department CT the state.
The assessed valuation CT the state equazed
by the state board of equalization in August 1863
was $278 400 900. The stenographic report Of the
board of equalization will show that it the
opinion of the beard that the assessment return
ed by the assessors and equazed by the board re-
presented cne-fourh of the value of the property
the state. thus making total value four times as
great. sf113 500 zoe Estimating the population
Of the state at 100000 this gives to each man,
and child in the entire state 1885, and
there is not single millionaire among the
whole 600,0CG people, this shows wonderfully
prosperous people, living under equal opportunities
and is most eloquent tribute to state.
With such boundless resources and unlimited
possibilities, surely North Dakota is entitled to be
known as the without millionaire and
without pauper.'"