The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1915-05-28
ARE WE RIGHT? OF COURSE WE'RE RIGHT

~ NE of the Enterprise appreciated readers writes to
say he does not agree with US that this country
has future agriculturally that will be realized
during the life of the present generation He it is
a mistake to the impression that this is farm
ing country when is and that while it may be true
that one with ample funds at his command can make
farm the Wilderness Of this section, is not true that
there are here extraordinary opportunities for the poor
who is willing to work and has intelligence enough
to properly direct his effort
The Enterprise knows of better to this
ment than the record of Of the "poor men, who
went into the evidences" of this region not later than
five years ago to make homes for themselves 1t has
concrete example at home In the mechanical department
Of this newspaper is employed pressman of Finnish
birth, who is excellent workman and the head OF
large family His wages during the four years he has
been connected with this newspaper have been from $16
to $50 week. He has bought farm in the town OF
Cotton where his family removed some time ago. ne
owns good of horses thoroughbred Jersey COW
and other stock He has cleared up fine tract OF land
and he is proud of his investment and has found profit
able If he had maintained his family on the salary ne
receives in this city would have required most Of it
to keep them On the they getting ahead,
ing some money despite the fact that their home
recently burned and gradually clearing and bring
ing more under the plow. The Enterprise can
point out dozen who mine laborers who went
to the woods to clear land and make homes within the
past five vars who making progress and gaining an
independence they would have realized without the
most scrupuous thrift had they continued their residence
in this city, 1t show anybody interested clearngs
and cultivated in the ttlefork valley that the
equal of any the state and that not so far removed
from Virginia. 1t bring the testimony of men who
have farmed in of the richest farming districts OF
Illinois and Iowa, residing in this section, who say
this is the finest region in the world for the dairyng
dustry and have backed their opinion by substantial in
vestments.
In view of all this continue firmly of the opinion that
there are hundreds of the Ranges working for
wages day labor in the mines and elsewhere who would
be doing infinitely better tackle the problem Of develop
ing St. county farm of the kind that are typical
of this region 1t is unable to understand how in the
light of the past few years there still remain people
who have doubts about the agricultural future OF this
country However, every community there are people
who ignorant of what is going around then like
skepcs whose pessmsm reards both their own pro-
gress and that of their neighbours 1t is surely fair to
Judge the future by the past in this matter Five
has done wonderful things in this section Ten years
will do at least much if not double what has al
ready been accomplished along development lines Farm
ing is no longer an experiment here 1t is accomplished
fact that is successful and profitable undertaking.