The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-01-09

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jump In land values where mixed
page ; Of today's Issue Of The
Tribune.)
An immense increase IN land val
ues in North Dakota Is predicted by
the Greater North Dakota Associa-
ton in statement today reviewing
agricultural history and farm land
price trend in older agricultural
states. This study reveals that:
Value of land for exclusive small
grain production 10 limited. Land
values do not exceed $50 an acre
while small grain production is the
major enterprise.
Value of land for diversified farm
ing is almost unlimited. Land val
ues increase by leaps and bounds
when mixed farming becomes the
common practice.
North Dakota agriculture today is
in the transition stage from exclu-
sive small grain farming to mixed
farming. North Dakota land values
therefore are due for an increase.
Illinois Prices Reviewed
An examination of the United
States census records shows that in
1850 Illinois farm land was valued
at an average of 50 an acre, $50, in
1860, $28 in 1870, $32 in 1880 and sal
in 1890. About this time, great re-
ductions occurred in the wheat acre
age. and mixed farming became the
vogue. The result was that. the price
Of lland practically doubled during
each Of tae last two decades. In 1900
the average price was $54 per acre,
in 1910 exactly double that amount
nd hn 10 81
available. 1920. showed an average
value Of $l88 per. acre.
Iowa In Same Path
Iowa farm prices show a similar
trend. although the increases are
even more striking. Agricultural de-
vclOpmcnt of the state started about
ten years later than in Illinois. In
1860 the census bureau placed the
value Of Iowa land ut $l2 per acre,
and by 1901 the average value had
increased to $43. The same change
then took place as occurred in Illi-
nois. and the increases in land value
were amazing. In 1910 the value was
set ut SOC per acre, and in 1920 at
1927.
North Dak0ta's Trend
History Of agriculture in North
Dakota is more recent than that in
Illinois and Iowa. In 1880 the Off
cial records showed that North Da-
kota farm land averaged 50 per acre,
$40 in 1890. el3 in 1000. $29 in 1910
and sal in 1920. These values tally
very closely with those for the first
so years in Illinois and Iowa.
In agricultural development, North
Dakota now stands in the same rel
alive position as Illinois did in 1890
and Iowa in 1900. In those states
the enormous increases in land val
ues occurred immediately afterward.
Every indication is that the agricul-
tural history of these states will be
repeated in North Dakota, and that
during the next decade or two, land
values will double or qusdruple.
That great change is occurring
in farming practices in this state was
pointed out in two previous state
ments issued short time ago by the
Greater North Dakota Association.
The best Of testimony is offered by
greater value than the average
value Of the wheat for the past five
years.
Opportunities Offered
Farming conditions are quite SIM
liar in Illinois, Iowa and North Da-
kota. Advantages Of this state far
exceed any Of its disadvantages. A
shorter distance to market and .
slightly longer growing season are
advantages possessed by states in the
so-called "corn belt" However.
North 'Dakota has just the right
amount Of rainfall occurring at just
the right time in the year for opti-
mum moisture conditions. Neither
expensive sub-surface drainage nor
more expensive irrigation is neces-
sary. North Dakota has more hours
of sunshine during the growing sea-
son. North Dakota has more fertile
soil. and application Of commercial
fertilizers is unnecessary. Dozens Of
other advantages for this state could
be pointed out.
The purpose Of this statement, it
concludes, is to show that the same
opportunity offers itself in North
Dakota today as was offered to the
investor in farm lands in Illinois and
Iowa but a few years ago. Today
we have the added assurance offered
by the history of land values in
these other states.
A similar study of farm land prices,
accompanied by graph, is featured
in the new Northern Pacific Rail,