Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-01-03
COST OF CLEARING LAND

Undoubtedly the sight of the woods,
brush and stumps deter many who come
to look over the land in northern Wis
consin with the intention of buying and
settling upon the same. True a tract
OF land covered with brush, dead and
down timber and stumps, does look
formidable. But the rubbish is remov-
ed quicker than at first seems possible.
last spring we let contract to clear
up, cut the brush, pile up and burn the
rubbish, to three Merrill men at $6.25
per acre. We thought it impossible for
the men to make wages on the job, but
they did. Mr.. Emil Mas had one man
at work all summer and he has cleared
up over forty-acres.
The Wisconsin Advancement associ
alton has prepared little leafet on
the subject, and the figures and con-
clusions presented, We believe, from
what we actually know of the subject,
to be correct. We quote as follows:
1.-The question of the cost of clearing
upper Wisconsin land is one that cam
not be definitely answered The differ
ent conditions call for varied expense.
1t is probable within limits to say that
the total cost on the average hardwood
lands, from which the large trees have
been removed, is on the average about
$25 per acree, exclusive of the market
able products (many tracts can be
cleared for 500 or less.) This would
mean about $12. so per acre for remov-
al of brush and rubbish and seeding
to clover and $3.50 per acre for the re-
moval of stumps.
However, the homeseekers should
bear in mind that valuable crops may
be grown before the stumps are re-
moved. Many acres of upper Wiscon-
sin land have grown crops before the
stumps were removed where a single
crop would pay for land and cost of
clearing.
"Again the difference between the
interest on the cheap upper Wisconsin
land and the high priced land in the
middle west will in few years cover
the cost of clearing. With the stumps
still standing, upper Wisconsin past
ures surpass those of the 5000 per acre
land of the middle western states-but
we will put them on equal terms and
here is what we get, assuming that
upper Wisconsin land costs SIT so per
acre with a cost of $12. so for clearing
brush and seeding.
5000 land, interest years at
per cent S48O 90
$50 land, interest 3 years at
3 ner cent S7.2O
cit is thus seen that the saving in
interest at per cent in three years
would return the cost of the land, the
clearing of brush and seeding and leave
a balance of $1O.8 80 per acre for clear
ing stumps.
"The saving in interest in the next
three years would supply the balance
of the cost of stumping and erect the
best OF buildings with all mouern I'M
provements.
Gwen at per cent the saving in
interest for six years will accomplish
the above result.
1t should be remembered that ordin-
arily a great deal of valuable stuff is
found on the worst burned over cut
over land. Wood, bolts and Windfalls
that make saw logs, in most cases will
paw in part at least for clearing the
land. 1t is not now as 1t was thirty
years ago, when even the best timber
had no commercial value. The farmers
then had 70 burn the timber on the
land. and that was difficult. Now even
the stumps can be cut into wood and
sold. Merrill Herald