Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1903 — THE WORLD’S “BREAD BASKET." [ARTICLE]

THE WORLD’S “BREAD BASKET."

Diversified Farming Is Developing the Northwest. Minnesota. North Dakota and South Dakota wifi yield about 200,000,000 bushels of wheat this year, which, at present prices will bring a very respectable income for the farmers of the three States. Add to this a barley crop of 05,000,000 bushels, a flux crop of 35,000,000 bushels and 80,000,000 bushels of oats, and you will have the reason why the three States named have been called “the bread basket of the world.” The Dakotas and Minnesota are beginning to adopt diversified farming and are no longer given up entirely to the raising of grain. It is only a question of a few years when cattle, hogs and corn will be an important industry. This condition has been brought about by the immigration of the last few years. For example, take the territorial line between the Red river and Minot on the west, a distance of 200 miles; from the line of the Great Northern Railroad to the boundary will average about sixty-five miles. More than 5,000,000 acres of land within that section has been recently homesteaded by new settlers from Wisconsin, lowa, Illinois, Indiana. Michigan and northern Missonri, who have brought with them change* in methods of fanning. They have all been trained to the habits and customs and the diversified farming of the Middle States. They are accustomed to having cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry on their farms, and believe that the greatest profit is derived from feeding grain to their stock. Whenever you see this you find a prosperous community.

Tliis'tide of immigration has swept on into Montana, Washington and Oregon uptil at the present time most of the homestead lands susceptible of cultivation from natural rainfall have been taken up, and much of the other farming lands have changed handr. The 'newcomers, having sold their homes and farms in the older States nt an advanced figure, are willing to buy out the oldsettlers, who are willing to sell for price* that a few. years ago were thought impossible. This immigration has given a great impetus to Spokane and the coast cities, which is indicated by the great increase in population and in the building of houses and business blocks.