Renville County, Minnesota - Chapter 33: Agricultural Development, 1916

Chapter 33: Agricultural Development

Renville County is situated on the northern bank of the Minnesota river, in the central portion of the state. It is about 75 miles from the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, with which it is connected by the C. M. & St. P. and the M. & St. L. railroads, which traverse the northern and southern portions of the county.

The area of the county is 981.31 square miles. 621,650 acres is land divided into 2,871 farms. The population is about 24,000. The total assessed valuation of Renville county is approximately $18,000,000.

The agriculture of any section is controlled to a great extent by its climate. The main factors which limit the growth of crops are temperature, rainfall and the amount of sunshine. In Renville county these elements are so favorable that a majority of the crops common to the temperate zone may be successfully grown and a failure in the important crops is unknown.

Rainfall is an important factor for most crops, because the amount of water in the soil at the critical period of development of the plant is necessary to produce a large crop. The length of the growing season is also very important and probably no other factor from the standpoint of the farmer should be given more consideration.

Renville county is favored with these factors which help to make successful production of crops. The following statistics on the climatic conditions of the county are from the reports of the United States Department of Agriculture Weather Bureau from observations taken at Bird Island over a period of twentytwo years.

Average precipitation (rainfall), 24.57 inches; average precipitation (snowfall), 25.8 inches; highest temperature recorded, 105 degrees : lowest temperature recorded, - 38 degrees ; prevailing wind direction, northwest ; average date of first killing frost in autumn, September 25; average date of last killing frost in spring, May 9; earliest date of killing frost in autumn. September 9; latest date of killing frost in spring, June 7 ; elevation of county above sea level, 1,000 feet.

the full development of crops. The most rainfall from the reports is shown to be in the months of April, May, June, July and August. The average date of the last killing frost in the spring and the first in autumn are May 9 and September 25, respectively. This gives an average length of growing season of 139 days which is ample for the growing of corn.

The soil of Renville county is very uniform, being a black clay loam with a yellow clay subsoil carrying an abundance of lime. On account of the very high content of nitrogen and organic matter in the surface soil and the abundance of lime in the subsoil, it is properly regarded as an unusually fertile type. There are many shallow depressions in which the water at present remains until late in the season and which are at present used for meadows. When these are drained they will soon become as productive as the remainder of the land. Technically the soil is a till or boulder clay brought from the northwest during the last advance of the continental ice sheet.

Most of the early settlers located along the Minnesota river or in the ravines of the streams flowing into that river, though a few came down from the "Big Woods'" and located in Boon Lake and Preston Lake. Some of the settlers came up the river in boats. Others had made their way from Fort Snelling, St. Paul, or St. Peter and New Ulm. Through the dense forests, across the sweeping prairie, or over a winding trail they had made their way. fording brooks, passing through swamps, cutting away fallen trees, and swimming rivers until they reached their chosen location.

The parts of Minnesota over which the last continental ice sheet passed is characterized by many depressions which hold water until late in the season, making in some sections considerable wet areas. Renville county lies within this portion of the state. Here are found these conditions, though not to the extent that is found elsewhere. The farmers and officials of the county realize the value of this land once drainage is provided and are making the necessary effort to secure this. Up to the present time $462,000 have been spent in county and judicial ditches, while drainage projects which will involve the construction of 600 zniles of ditch and afford outlets for six townships are either under way or being petitioned for. These new projects will cost approximately $1,400,000, and will bring the total number of districts up to sixty-nine county and eighteen judicial ditches. In the new system tile is being used where the cost will permit, wherever such large tile is required as to make the cost too great, the open ditch is put in. These ditches provide outlet only for

Of the old open ditch systems in the county, many are still operating in a satisfactory manner. Some are found, however, which were either not properly constructed in the first place, or have been made useless by filling in or injury to the ditch. Portions of the old systems have also been incorporated into new systems so that some of these have lost their identity. The new systems will prove much more satisfactory than the old as tile is used wherever possible. An ideal system of drainage is adequate, permanent, not a hindrance to cultivation, and uses the least possible land. The open ditch system does not fulfill the requirements. Valuable land is occupied and the ditches become filled, requiring much time and money to keep in condition. The money being spent now in the county for drainage purposes should prove to be a very paying investment as they fulfill the requirements. Besides the making of more land available for cultivation, roads are also being improved by these systems.

The county drains naturally in two directions, the largest portion to the Minnesota river through the several creeks in the county, the other portion, the north central and east end through Buffalo creek into the Crow river.

The farmers of Renville county are beginning to realize fully that a one-crop system of farming means the running down of the soil with a minimum return per acre. In the past wheat was the only crojD raised. Corn is gradually taking the place of the wheat field so that Renville county is now recognized as distinctly in the corn licit both in the quantity and quality of the corn raised.

corn has been emphasized along with the growing of corn for feed. Renville county seed corn is shipped in considerable quantities to surrounding counties. Of the seed corn breeders of the county, E. Gr. Enestvedt with his Minnesota 13, and Jos. Keinholz with his Silver King have attracted the most attention. There are many other breeders with very excellent corn of these two varieties which are the most popular varieties in the county. Many farmers have their own seedcorn breeding plots for their individual use. These conditions are bound to give the county a state wide reputation for good seed corn in a short time. In fact, this year corn from Renville county was the only new corn exhibited at the Minnesota State Fair.

Corn, wheat, oats and barley are the predominating crops, while flax and buckwheat are grown to a lesser degree. Timothy, clover, red top, and alfalfa grow abundantly and yield large crops. Sugar beets have been grown extensively around Ren-

The county is blessed with two good uurserys, Dunsmore :s at Olivia, and Flagstad's at Sacred Heart, which supply the farmers with good home grown nursery stock. Operating in connection with these uurserys, are commercial orchards which with G. A. Anderson's Glendale Fruit Farm and Pat O'Brien's Orchards at Renville are possibly the largest orchards in the county. All of which dii business on a commercial scale.

Renville county soil is well adapted to the growing of clover and alfalfa. Of this fact the farmers have taken advantage. Only a few years ago clover was considered an impossible crop. Now most farmers consider it a very necessary step in their cropping systems. In fact, the plant has become so common and well adapted to the county that road sides, fence rows, and such places abound with it. This means the keeping up of soil fertility with increased crop yields. As to alfalfa, in 1913 the acreage amounted to between 75 and 100 acres. This has been increased until in 1915 there are over 1,500 acres in the county.

Of the pioneer alfalfa growers probably E. O. Oppegaard of Hawk Creek is the oldest successful large scale grower. On this farm there are at present fields of Montana and Grimm alfalfa of ten and fifteeu years standing. It was seed from the latter field which won first prize at the Corn ami Alfalfa Exposition at Ortonville in 1915. ('has. Kenning, Bird Island, is also a pioneer with this crop. The Largest acreages in the county are on the farms of A. O. Skrukrud and Ed. O'Connor, both of Sacred Heart, and Fred Pfeiffer of Morton. On all of these farms more than 40 acres of the crop are growing at the present time. .Many of the growers this year have saved their second crop for seed, so for the first time in the history of the county a quantity of homegrown alfalfa seed will he for sale.

Each year also sees an increase in the number of live stock, both beef and dairy cattle, and hogs. In 1914 there were 1,900 horses, 35,000 cattle. 21,000 sheep and 100,000 hogs. The swine industry has been especially favored by the Government work on hog cholera control. From May 8, 1914. when the work commenced, to December 31, 1914, 13.689 hogs were vaccinated and 91 per cent were saved. Estimated at $10.00 a head this means a saving of $124,570. From January 1, 1915. to October 31. 1915, 2,813 hogs were vaccinated and 93 pel' cent saved. The work as carried on has been worth at least $20.00 to the farmer for every dollar spent. This hog cholera control work has been under the direction of Dr. G. S. Weaver, of the U. S. Department of Agri- culture, assisted by three veterinary inspectors. The State Live Stock Sanitary Board has Looked after the enforcement of sanitary and quarantine measures. This work has been done by Dr. H. Evfiisuii. The Minnesota State Agricultural College has conducted the organization of the county and the necessary educational work on hog cholera control. For this work their representative, W. E. Morris, is the county agent for Renville county.

The greater interest in the cattle industry is shown by the increase in the number of silos erected this year. At present there are 138 silos in the county. Thirty-seven of these have been built this year, which is an increase of nearly 27 per cent.

The first silo in the county, a wood stave, was built 11 years ago by George Forsyth of Franklin. This silo is still in good condition after continuous use. Ensilage has been fed to beef as well as dairy cattle in the county. Barnard & Daly of Renville have topped the market at South St. Paul twice in the last two years with baby beef, which were fattened with silage as the principal roughage. John Kern of Olivia, another big feeder, turns off two to fours ears of cattle each year, fed heavily on corn silage. Many other farmers are doing the same thing on a smaller degree. The townships having the most silos are Palmyra, eighteen, and Camp, thirteen. Wood stave silos predominate with solid concrete, panel, cement panel and cement block comprising the remainder. More silos, corn, and clover means more live stock, better cropping systems, increase in soil fertility, and maximum returns per acre. The increased interest in dairying is shown by the new creameries being built and the old ones in operation. Seven old cooperative creameries are in operation at the following places : Olivia, Brookfield, Franklin, Fairfax, Eddsville, Melville, and Lakeside, and the Bird island and Hector farmers are now building new ones. Private creameries take care of the cream at Puffalo Lake, Hector. Danube. Renville and Sacred Heart.

Pure bred live stock is growing in favor. Numerous herds of pure bred cattle may be found in the county. Holsteins and Short Horns predominate, although pure bred herds of Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Jersey and Guernsey are present. Pure bred hogs are raised extensively while a few farmers breed pure bred horses.

Renville county ranks first in the poultry industry. The 1914 census shows the total number to be 292,788. There are many fanciers in the county and each year the Renville County Poultry Association holds a show, which ranks with the best, in the state. Birds of high quality of practically every breed found at ordinary shows are exhibited here. In the production of eggs Renville county ranks highest in the state.

Fine house and barns with good other buildings show the prosperity and advancement of the county. Furnace heat, electric or gas light for both house and barn, and water systems are not infrequent. Renville county farmers have early recognized the desirability of good groves and wind breaks with which most farms arc now well provided.

The .business men and farmers work together showing community spirit. O'Connor Bros.' State Bank of Renville has loaned money without interest for the building of silos. The same bank and the Olivia State Bank each offered free money for community live stock buying. The People's Bank of Olivia annually holds a corn show at which very liberal premiums are paid. Every banker in the county, in fact, is working in a similar manner such as assistance in hog cholera control work, loaning money on cattle, etc.

The county has taken advantage of the aid given by the state and the United States to secure the general adoption of the best agricultural practices. At the present time five high schools in the county employ agriculturists whose duties are to teach agriculture in the school and to carry on extension work among the farmers. The latter consists of surveying wet lands for drainage, testing seed corn, pruning orchards, and being of any similar service. The high schools employing such men are Renville, Olivia, Bird Island, Hector and Fairfax.

An agricultural agent is also employed by the county. The largest portion of the funds necessary for the maintenance of such an office is provided by the state and U. S. Government. This office was opened first in Renville county in August, 1913, with W. E. Morris, as county agent. On August 30 the same year a Farm Bureau was organized. The purpose of this organization is the bringing of farmers together for mutual cooperation who wish to investigate the fundamental problems that are involved in production on their farms. The county agent, working with this Bureau and its members, may be of assistance in investigating these problems and demonstrating accepted agricultural practices.

One feature of the work in this county has been the introduction of alfalfa. Prior to 1914 less than 100 acres of alfalfa were growing in the county. The Farm Bureau secured a quantity of seed at a reasonable price which was distributed to farmers at cost. Through these efforts the acreage of alfalfa has increased to about l,f)00 acres. Most fields are doing well and demonstrating thoroughly the value of the crop.

Organization is an important part of Farm Bureau work. Since the work started in Renville county, five live stock shipping associations have been organized. This has meant a considerable financial saving to the members, as their stock has brought them actually what it was sold for, minus the expense of marketing.

Sixteen farmers' elnbs have been organized in the county. Most of these are very active and improving themselves, their homes, and their community by associating, exchanging ideas and working together.

Numerous demonstrations have been carried on. such as treatment of seed grains for smut, spraying orchards, pure seed, seed corn selection, selection of breeding stock, farm management, drainage, silos, and others. The work now is meeting with favor and should develop more as time goes on.

The future of the county, agriculturally speaking, is bright. Possibly there is no section in the state which is as uniform in soil conditions and topography as this county.

The soil, typical of western Minnesota, is shown by analysis to be one of the richest in the world. This, combined with the existing climatic conditions, which are plenty of rainfall and sunshine and a long growing season, offer wonderful advantages for diversified farming, and situated as it is, in close proximity to the good markets of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and with ten live towns within its borders, this industry should develop to the fullest extent. Diversified farming with a good system of crop rotation with corn, clover, alfalfa and live stock is bound to increase with the advantages offered in the county. These mean the upkeep of soil fertility, maximum crop yields, and prosperous, contented communities.

Renville county is acknowledged as being among the best and most prosperous stock-raising and agricultural counties in Minnesota. Its people are wideawake and keep step with the progressive march of the times in all that pertains to a civilization of happiness, industry and culture. The first permanent settlers of the county were farmers, and their object in coming was to till the soil.

All had many lessons to learn. Many of the pioneers were from foreign countries, and all the conditions were new. Some were farmers from the eastern states, and they, too, found circumstances absolutely changed. Some were men who had previously been engaged in other occupations, but who saw in the opening of Minnesota an opportunity to secure a farm, together with the health and longevity that come from outdoor life. All of them, regardless of their previous circumstances, were able and willing to work; they had industry and courage and they were determined to win.

In the face of obstacles of which they had previously no knowledge they started to carve their fortunes in the wilderness. The country was new, there was no alternative but that success must be won from the soil, which was their only wealth and their only help. There were among the early comers a few moneylenders, a few speculators and a few traders, but everyone else, even the lawyers, the doctors and the ministers, must wrest their living from the earth. And in spite of all the obstacles and inconveniences, and notwithstanding the fact that in the face of many disasters hundreds of the pioneers left the county, those who stayed, and those who have come in since, have met with unbounded success. Nor is the end yet reached, for the county has in its agricultural and dairying resources a mine of wealth yet undeveloped, which, when the years roll on, will grow more and more valuable as the people become, through scientific methods, more and more able to utilize it.

The farms of Renville county are similar to the farms of any other county having a rich soil. It has its good farms and its poor farms. Or, better stated, it has its good farmers and its poor farmers. Agriculture, like every other trade or profession, has its successes and its failures, but perhaps not as many complete failures.

The high altitude gives to Renville county an ideal climate. Its mean temperature for summer is 70 degrees, the same as middle Illinois, Ohio, and southern Pennsylvania. The extreme heat that is felt in these states is here tempered by the breezes of the elevated plateau. Its higher latitude gives two hours more of sunshine than at Cincinnati. This, with an abundance of rainfall, 26.36 inches annually, on a rich soil, accounts for the rapid and vigorous growth of crops and their early maturity. There is a uniformity of temperature during the winter season in southern Minnesota, with bright sunshine, dry atmosphere, good sleighing and infrequent thaws that make life a pleasure in this bracing, healthy climate.

There was a time in Renville county when, like all new lands, the first consideration was to build good barns for the housing of the flocks and herds, and the home was the most inconspicuous object in the landscape. As the farmers prospered, the log house disappeared, and now there are few log houses in the entire county. Now the farmer's house vies with the city residence, and has many of the modern conveniences. "Where electric light and power cannot be secured, gasoline engines furnish power, and a number of farm houses are lighted by their own gas plants. By the use of elevated tanks in the house or barn, or pneumatic tanks in cellars, farm houses often have all the sanitary conveniences; of a house in town. Farmers realize the value of keeping their property in the best of shape. Houses and barns are well painted, lawns are carefully kept and flower gardens show that the people recognize that the things which beautify add a value to life as well as to property.

The rural telephone reaches practically every farm house, which, with rural mail delivery and the newspapers, places the farmer in close touch with the great markets and with the cur- rent of affairs of the outside world. There is no longer any isolation such as existed in the early days when pioneering meant privation; no longer any need for the denial of many of the luxuries as well as the comforts of life. The farmer can have his daily newspaper and his daily market reports; he can have the advantage of the circulating library, and his table can be supplied with whatever the village or city market may have to offer. The changes of the half-century have been more marked in scarcely any direction than in the conditions which surround life on the farm. The plodding ox which did the field and farm work has disappeared; the gang plow, the mower, the seeder, the harvester and the steam thresher are doing the work so laboriously and imperfectly done by the scythe, the cradle, the hand-sower, the flail and the horse-power thresher. The buggy, the carriage and now the automobile are almost universal among the conveniences of the farm, while the sewing machine, the organ and the piano are familiar objects in the inner life of the farm home. The future doubtless holds still more in the way of conveniences and comforts, but it can give nothing beyond what the great service the farmer has rendered and is rendering the country in the way of its development merits. There cannot but be deep regret, however much it is in the nature of things, that so few of those who bore the heat and burden of the day in the years of beginnings, have survived to enjoy the fruits which their labors produced. "Their epitaphs are writ in furrows

"Deep and wide The wheels of progress have passed on : The silent pioneer is gone. His ghost is moving down the trees. And now we push the memories Of bluff, bold men who dared and died In foremost battle, quite aside."

Government Report

The following report of Renville county agriculture, issued in connection with the thirteenth census of the United States, speaks for itself in regard to the present-day agricultural conditions in the county :

Number of farms classified by size : Under three acres, 0 ; from three to nine acres, 31 ; from ten to nineteen acres, 14 ; from twenty to forty-nine acres, 51 ; from fifty to ninety -nine acres, 219; from 100 to 174 acres, 1,113; from 175 to 259 acres, 805;

Land and Farm Areas. Approximate land area, 625,920 acres. Land in farms, 589,798. (Land in farms in 1900, 584,659 acres.) Improved land in farms, 513,520 acres. Improved land in farms in 1900, 500,199 acres Woodland in farms, 19,150 acres. Other unimproved land in farms, 57,128 acres. Per cent of the whole county in farms, 94.2 per cent. Per cent of farm land improved, 87.1 per cent. Average acres to each farm, 205.4 acres. Average improved acres to each farm, 178.9 acres.

Average Values. Average value of all property per farm, $11,733. Average value of land and buildings per farm, $10,050. Average value of Land per acre, $40.89. ($23.20 in 1900.)

Degree of Ownership. Number of farms operated by owners, consisting of owned lands only, 1,671. Number of farms operated by owners which also include with the owned land, some hired land, 344. Of the men in the county owning and operating their own farms, 813 are native born Americans and 1.202 are foreign born.

Farms Operated by Tenants. Number of farms operated by tenants, 833. (652 in 1900.) Of all the farms in the county, 29.0 per cent are operated by tenants. (21.6 in 1900.)

Form of Tenancy. Share tenants, 559. Share-cash tenants, 34. Cash tenants, 79. Tenure not specified, 161. Of the people renting farms in the county, 500 are native born Americans, and 333 are foreign born.

Mortgage Debt Report of Farms Operated by Their Owners. Number free from mortgage debt, 1,012. Number with mortgage debt, 986. Number on which no mortgage report was made, 17. Mortgage debt report of farms consisting of owned land only. Number reporting debt and amount, 745. Value of their land and building's. $7,506,707. Amount of mortgage debt. $1,954,084. Per cent of value of land and buildings mortgaged, 26.0 per cent.

Farm Expenses. For labor. Number of farms from which reports were obtained, 2,118. Cash expended for labor on these farms, $394,666. Rent and board furnished for labor, $111,667.

Hay and Forage. Total, 80,945 acres ; tons, 127,692. Timothy alone, 8,247 acres: tons, 15,748. Timothy and clover mixed, 5,957 acres, tons. 11.289. Other tame or cultivated grass, exclusive of clover alone and alfalfa, 2,922 acres ; tons, 3,893. Wild or prairie

Assessment Rolls

The assessment rolls of Renville county for 1915 are most interesting, as they tell in unadorned figures the agricultural conditions that exist in Renville county at the present time.

Horses, Mules and Asses. Under one year old, 1,044; one year old and under two years, 1,855; two years old and under three years, 1,640; three years old and over, 16,494; stallions, fine bred mares and race horses, 68.

Cattle. Under one year old, 11,320; one year old and under two years, 9,394; two years old and under three years, 5,683; cows, 17,276; bulls, 964; all other cattle three years old and over, 509.

Horses. There are 68 stallions, fine bred mares and race horses in the county. They are distributed as follows : Bandon, 2 ; Birch Cooley, 1 ; Beaver Falls, 1 ; Bird Island township, 1 ; Bird Island village, 1; Boon Lake, 3; Brookfiekl, 1; Cairo, 1; Crooks, 1 ; Danube, 3 ; Emmet, 1 ; Ericson, 3 ; Franklin, 2 ; Flora, 4 ; Hawk Creek, 5 ; Hector township, 1 ; Hector village, 1 ; Henryville, 1; Martinsburg, 1; Melville, 4; Morton, 4; Norfolk, 2; Olivia, 4 ; Palmyra, 8 ; Renville, 1 ; Sacred Heart township, 1 ; Troy, 1 ; "Wang, 2 ; Winfield, 5 ; Wellington, 2.

There are 3,407 sewing machines. The largest number in a city or village is in Olivia, where there are 174. The smallest number is 43, in Danube. The largest number in a township is in Sacred Heart, where there are 112. The smallest number, 42, is in Crooks. There are 4,443 watches and clocks assessed.

The county has 907 pianos. Renville leads among the villages with 79. Among the townships, Brookfiekl leads with 28. The smallest number is 3, the number owned in Camp and Henryville each.

Buffalo Lake. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 3 ; one year old and under two years, 2 ; two years old and under three years, 1 ; three years old and over, 72. Cattle, under one year, 3 ; one year and under two years, 5 ; cows, 39. Swine, 112. Number of dogs, 20. Automobiles, 34; motorcycles and bicycles, 1.

40. Cattle, under one year, 9 ; one year and under two years, 6 ; two years and under three years, 2 ; cows, 29 ; bulls, 1. Swine, 30. Number of dogs, 2. Automobiles, 13.

Bird Island. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 10; one year old and under two years. 15; two years old and under three years, 12 ; three years old and over, 166. Cattle, under one year, 44 ; one year and under two years, 66 ; two years and under three years, 18; cows, 114; bulls, 1. Sheep, 2. Swine, 187. Number of dogs, 54. Automobiles, 43; motorcycles and bicycles, 1.

Fairfax. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 2; one year old and under two years, 6; two years old and under three years, 3 ; three years old and over, 84. Cattle, under one year, 4; one year and under two years. 4; two years old and under three years, 3 ; cows, 53. Swine, 22. Number of dogs, 40. Automobiles, 64; motorcycles and bicycles. 10.

Franklin. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 11; one year old and under two years, 12; two years old and under three years, 7; three years old and over, 91. Cattle, under one year, 57 ; one year and under two years, 42 ; two years and under three years, 24; cows, 101; bulls, 6. Sheep, - . Swine, 125. Number of dogs. 28. Automobiles, 41 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 3.

Hector. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 9 ; one year old and under two years, 1 ; two years old and under three years, 3; three years old and over, 128. Cattle, under one year, 20 ; one year and under two years, 38 ; two years and under thivr years. 29; cows, 75; bulls, 2. Sheep, 4: Swine. 45. Number of dogs, 46. Automobiles, 47 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 12.

Morton. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old. 4; one year old and under two years, 10; two years old and under three years, 13; three years old and over, 112. Cattle, under one year, 36 ; one year and under two years, 114 ; two years and under three years, 57; cows, 108: bulls, 1; all other cattle three years old and over, 64. Sheep, 28. Swine, 591. Number of dogs, 32. Automobiles, 43; motorcycles and bicycles, 2.

Olivia. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 1; one year old and under two years, 5; two years old and under three years, 2; three years old and over, 142. Cattle, one year and under two years, 15; two years and under three years, 14; cows, 84 ; bulls, 2 ; all other cattle three years old and over, 5. Swine, 42. Number of dogs, 30. Automobiles, 76 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 3.

Renville. Horses, mules and asses. One year old and under two years, 7; two years old and under three years, 8; three years old and over, 134. Cattle, one year and under two years, 6 ; two years and under three years, 2 ; cows, 75 ; bulls, 1. Sheep,

Sacred Heart. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 2; two years old and under three years, 1; three years old and over, 58. Cattle under one year, 1; two years old and under three years, 3; cows, 56. Swine, 12. Dogs, 12. Automobiles, 44; motorcycles and bicycles, 4.

Bandon. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 31; one year old and under two years, 84; two years old and under three years, 54; three years old and over, 616. Cattle, under one year, 528 ; one year old and under two years. 350 ; two years old and under three years, 197; cows, 688; bulls. 43; all other cattle three years old and over, 20. Sheep, 20. Swine, 749. Dogs, 18. Automobiles, 25 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 10.

Birch Cooley. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 12 ; one year old and under two years, 75 ; two years old and under three years, 69 ; three years old and over. 542. Cattle, under one year, 219 ; one year and under two years, 335 ; two years and under three years, 227 ; cows, 480 ; bulls, 15 : all other cattle three years old and over, 37. Sheep, 102. Swine, 944. Number of dogs, 57. Automobiles, 26.

Beaver Falls. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 22 ; one year old and under two years, 46 ; two years old and under three years, 50; three years old ami over. 457. Cattle, under one year, 349; one year and under two years. 300: two years and under three years, 248; cows, 474; bulls, 3. Sheep, 167. Swine, 619. Number of dogs, 63. Automobiles, 36.

Bird Island. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 28; one year old and under two years. 67: two years old and under three years, 47; three years old and over. 437. Cattle, under one year, 425; one year old and under two years, 294: two years old and under three years, 140 ; cows, 479 ; bulls, 28 ; all other cattle three years old and over, 13. Sheep. 7. Swine. 727. Dogs, 112. Automobiles, 8 ; motorcycles and bicycles. 2.

Boon Lake. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 68; one year old and under two years. 91: two years old and under three years, 79 ; three years old and over, 624. Cattle, under one year, 409; one year and under two years, 394; two years and under three years, 348; cows, 1.003; bulls. 77. Sheep. 2. Swine, 187. Number of dogs, 54. Automobiles. 24: motorcycles and bicycles, 4.

Brookfield. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 53; one year old and under two years, 68; two years old and under three years, 52 ; thi-ee years old and over, 473. Cattle, un-

Cairo. Horses, mules ami asses. Under one year old. 28; one year old and under two years, 91; two years old and under three years, 86; three years old and over, 519. Cattle, under one year, 320; one year old and under two years, 314; two years old and under three years. 214; cows, 579; bulls, 29. Sheep, 102. Swine. 350. Dogs, 97. Automobiles, 33; motorcycles and bicycles, (i.

( 'rooks. Horses, mules ami asses. Under one year old, 53; one year old and under two years, 55; two years old and under three years, 60; three years old and over, 600. Cattle, under one year, 517; one year old and under two years, 320; two years old and under three years, 168. Cows. 588; bulls. 22. Sheep, 51. Swine, 1,965. Dogs, 82. Automobiles, 11; motorcycles and bicycles, 3.

Camp. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 39; one year old and under two years, 56; two years old and under three years, 63; three years old and over, 516. Cattle, under one year. 536; one 3'ear old and under two years, 375; two years old and under three years, 254 ; cows, 628 ; bulls, 30 ; all other cattle three years old and over, 67. Sheep, 69. Swine, 695. Dogs, 28. Automobiles. 32; motorcycles and bicycles, 11.

Emmet. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 65; one year old and under two years, 83; two years old and under three years. 59; three years old and over, 569. Cattle, under one year, 480; one year old and under two years, 331 ; two years old ami under three years, 206; cows, 520; bulls, 28. Sheep, 102. Swine. 1.311). Dogs, 81. Automobiles, IS.

Ericson. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 64; one year old and under two years, 46; two years old and under three years, 44; three years old and over, 627. Cattle, under one year, 488; one year old and under two years, 286; two years old and under three years, 120 ; cows, 605 ; bulls, 43 ; all other cattle three years old and over, 15. Sheep, 61. Swine, 1,570. Dogs, 103. Automobiles, 22; motorcycles and bicycles, 4.

Flora. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 48; one year old and under two years, 59; two years old and under three years. 58; three years old and over, 614. Cattle, under one year, 468 ; one year old and under two years, 240 ; two years old and under three years, 290 ; cows. 656 ; bulls, 37. Sheep, 56. Swine, 1,764. Dogs, 121. Automobiles, 35.

Hawk Creek. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 42 ; one year old and under two years, 46 ; two years old and under three years, 33 ; three years old and over, 513. Cattle, under one year, 367 ; one year old and under two years, 225 ; two years old and under three years, 120; cows, 515; bulls, 42; all other cattle three years old and over, 25. Sheep, 55. Swine, 1,881. Dogs, 84. Automobiles, 35 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 1.

Hector. Horses, asses and mules. Under one year old, 4; one year old and under two years, 48; two years old and under three years, 51; three years old and over, 522. Cattle, under one year. 448: one year and under two years, 236; two years and under three years, 150; cows, 624; bulls, 38. Sheep, 144. Swine, 839. Number of dogs, 80. Automobiles, 19 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 2.

lleiiryville. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 86 ; one year old and under two years, 71 ; two years old and under three years, 31; three years old and over, 578. Cattle, under one year, 539 ; one year old and under two years, 391 ; two years old and under three years, 220; cows, 568; bulls, 29; all other cattle three years old and over, 9. Sheep, 13. Swine, 1,537. Dogs, 101. Automobiles, 29; motorcycles and bicycles, 5.

Kingman. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 13; one year old and under two years, 63; two years old and under three years, 70; three years old and over, 525. Cattle, under one year, 177; one year old and under two years, 261; two years old and under three years, 156; cows, 588; bulls, 37. Sheep, 10. Swine, 1,032. Dogs, 74. Automobiles, 11,

Martinsburg. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 32; one year old and under two years, 60; two years old and under three years, 57 ; three years old and over, 556. Cattle, under one year, 416; one year and under two years, 344; two years and under three years, 181; cows, 585; bulls, 42. Sheep, 155. Swine, 982. Number of dogs, 80. Automobiles, 25; motorcycles and bicycles, 3.

Melville. Horses, nudes and asses. Under one year old, 28; one year old and under two years, 57; two years old and under three years, 50; three years old and over, 536. Cattle, under one year. 241 ; one year and under two years, 276; two years and under three years, 183 ; cows, 620 ; bulls, 42 ; all other cattle three years old and over, 16. Sheep, 20. Swine, 687. Number of dogs, 92. Automobiles, 20; motorcycles and bicycles, 7.

Norfolk. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 21; one year old and under two years, 82; two years old and under three years, 98; three years old and over, 541. Cattle, under one year, 297 ; one year and under two years, 406 ; two years and under three years, 248 ; cows, 431 ; all other cattle three years old and over, 28. Sheep, 131. Swine, 696. Number of dogs, 85. Automobiles, 19 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 1.

three years, 38; three years old and over, 549. Cattle, under one year, 370; one year and under two years, 287: two years and under three years, 194; cows, 649; bulls, 27. Sheep. 9. Swine, 1,846. Number of dogs, 99. Automobiles, 9; motorcycles and bicycles, 11.

Palmyra. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 24; one year old and under two years, 56; two years old and under three years, 32; three years old and over, 760. Cattle, under one year, 577 ; one year and under two years, 393 ; two years and under three years, 233 ; cows, 741 ; bulls, 56 ; all other cattle three years old and over. 179. Sheep, 33. Swine, 2,132. Number of dogs, 50. Automobiles, 42 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 7.

Preston Lake. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 42 ; one year old and under two years, 67 ; two years old and under three years, 53 ; three years old and over, 550. Cattle, under one year, 459 ; one year old and under two years, 365 ; two years old and under three years, 243 ; cows, 47S ; bulls, 66. Sheep, 249. Swine, 1,334. Dogs. 104. Automobiles, 28: motorcycles and bicycles, 1.

Sacred Heart. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 36; one year old and under two years, 68; two years old and under three years, 74: three years old and over, 972. Cattle, under one year, 566; one year and under two years, 435; two years and under three years, 200 ; cows, 848 ; bulls, 29 ; all other cattle three years old and over, 5. Sheep, 68. Swine, 677. Number of dogs, 114. Automobiles, 35.

Troy. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 38; one year old and under two years, 65; two years old and under three years, 56; three years old and over, 562. Cattle, under one year, 513 ; one year old and under two years, 379 ; two years old and under three years, 212; cows, 680; bulls, 36; all other cattle three years old and over, 5. Sheep, 60. Swine. 608. Dogs. 88. Automobiles, 24.

"Wang. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old. 23 ; one year old and under two years, 67 ; two years old and under three years, 66 ; three years old and over, 605. Cattle, under one year, 299 ; one year old and under two years, 282 ; two years old and under three years. 148; cows, 646: bulls, 16. Sheep. 24. Swine, 913. Dogs, 61. Automobiles, 33.

Winfield. Horses, mules and asses. Under one year old, 10; one year old and under two years, 77 ; two years old and under three years, 78 ; three years old and over, 582. Cattle, under one year, 388 ; one year and under two years, 376 ; two years and( under three years, 189; cows, 653; bulls, 61; all other cattle three years old and over, 18. Sheep, 62. Swine, 760. Number of dogs, 99. Automobiles, 13 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 1.

Wellington. Horses, asses and mules. Under one year old, 53; one year old and under two years, 90; two years old and under three years, 82; three years old aud over, 522. Cattle, under one year, 342 ; one year and under two years, 401 ; two years and under three years, 253 ; cows, 674 ; bulls, 50 ; all other cattle three years old and over, 3. Sheep, 20S. Swine, 723. Number of dogs, 110. Automobiles, 26 ; motorcycles and bicycles, 2.

Farm Names

Many of the progressive farmers in Renville county have given names to their places, thus adding to their value and winning distinctiveness for their products. Some have taken advantage of the opportunity given them by law to register their names with the register of deeds at the court house. Those thus registered at the present time are :

G. A. Anderson, owner of "Glendale Fruit Farm." located on the northeast quarter of section 24, town of Sacred Heart ( 115, 37), January 28, 1910.

Elbert W. Van Ornuni. owner of the "Midway View Farm," located on tin- northwest quarter of section 30, town of Norfolk (114. 34). October 4, 1910.

Ole R. Erickson, owner of "Sunny Meadow Farm." located on section 36, town of Winfield (116, 35), and section 31. town of Kingman (116, 34), February 7, 1913.

Pedar Gulbrandsen, owner of "Fieldhammer Farm," located on sections 31 and 32, township of Erickson (116, 37), and section 5, town of Sacred Heart (115, 37), May 26, 1913.

Philip Johnson, owner of "Willow Park Stock Farm," located on the northeast quarter of section 36. town of Bird Island (115, 34), October 4, 1913.

Elwin Borden, owner of "Pleasant View Stock Farm," located on section 31, village of Buffalo Lake (Town of Preston Lake. 115, 31), February 26, 1915.

Early Difficulties

The privations and disasters through which Renville county has passed to its present peace and prosperity would of themselves make an interesting history.

In the earliest days of settlement the county seemed at once about to become one of the most prosperous regions in Minnesota. Along the river and the ravines there was an abundance of water, the soil was rich and not hard to cultivate, there was plenty of wood with which to build cabins, work could be obtained at the agencies not far away, supplies could be purchased from the traders there, and there was more or less traffic on the Minnesota. There were schools at the agencies and there were physicians at the agency and at Ft. Ridgely. The winters were cold and real comforts were few, but nevertheless the people did not undergo the suffering that they did at a later date. The people had cows, poultry and swine, with many oxen for their work. There were also sometimes horses to be found in the settlers' pastures. Drawbacks existed it is true, but little of the acute suffering that came later.

On such a scene of prosperity broke the Indian outbreak, and in a day the county was depopulated. From this blow the county was long in recovering. But gradually some of the settlers came back and others came with them. With the years, the prairie regions began to be settled.

The people on the prairies had a much different experience from those in the ravines and along the bottoms. A sod house or a dugout was their only shelter. If after a while they desired a cabin of poles or logs they had to go to the bottomlands and the ravines. It was quite difficult to obtain timber. The dugouts wi'if crude, but sometimes afforded a better shelter than the cabins, for ofttimes the cabins were filled with holes and chinks through which the winter winds whistled.

Ofttimes an axe and a grub hoe were the only tools of the pioneers. The cabins were usually erected without nails or metal of any kind. Sometimes the windows were covered with paper, sometimes there were no windows. The doors consisted of split poles nailed to a cross strip usually swung on leather hinges. The fireplace or the stove was in one end, and as the ventilation was not always good the cabin was often filled with smoke.

The floor was of trampled earth. Furniture was home-made, bunks and tables usually being crude contrivances swung from the walls. A loft overhead or a trundle bed was usually provided

Wild game was the principal food, corn was made into meal in a coffee-grinder, pork and bacon were luxuries, coffee was almost unknown, and flour was obtained only with the greatest difficulty. Often the pioneers walked to New Ulm, Willmar or other places, and brought provisions home on their backs.

A few fortunate ones owned the oxen and the wagons with which they came. Some of them, however, hired some one to bring them here. Many of the men walked here, and lived alone until they had erected a cabin, and then hired some one to bring their families. Some were single men who, as soon as their homes were established, went back after their brides. Some continued to be bachelors, and kept house as best they could.

Those who had no oxen had a difficult time in getting poles and logs. After a year or two some of them bought oxen, others bought calves and raised them until they were able to help with the farm work. Sometimes a cow and a steer would be hitched together. The people who had cows were fortunate in that they had a supply of milk for their children, and an opportunity to make butter. Some had a pig or two, and a few' brought chickens. Sometimes in the winter the animals had to be brought into the cabins to keep them from perishing in the cold.

There were all sorts of difficulties in raising crops. Insect pests of various sorts came, blackbirds, crows and pigeons ravished the fields, gophers and prairie chickens spoiled the crops, wet seasons rotted the seed, and dry seasons withered the plants, the cattle did not relish the rank grass gathered in the swales.

The winter weather, cyclones, blizzards and tornadoes made life almost unbearable, and many perished. Others who survived moved away, never to return.

In 1873, when the county was beginning to be fairly well settled, there came the great blizzard, beginning January 7. In this blizzard some of the coiuity's best citizens perished and others suffered injuries from which they have never recovered. Possibly this is the greatest blizzard that the county has had, but it is not the only one nor is it the only one in which human life has been lost in the county.

Later, in the same year, 1873, there came the grasshoppers, whose ravages extended until 1877. Renville county is among the counties which suffered each of these years. Some years a small crop was reaped but other years everything in sight was destroyed. On July 1, 1875, a number of farmers from Nicollet, Sibley and Renville counties met at Fort Ridgley for the purpose of considering the grasshoper raid and devising some plan of obtaining bread and seed for the coming winter and spring.

Resolutions were passed, requesting the representatives to try and obtain a loan from the state for three or five years at seven per cent interest. A motion was carried that each farmer desiring aid should file the amount he wanted with the town clerk before the first day of August, 1875.

For many years prairie fires were a serious menace to Renville county farmers. Now the danger is largely passed, for the county is cut up into farms and the farms into fields, and ditches abound everywhere. But for many decades there was little to stop a fire once it got started, and the farmers lost heavily. Stacks barns, sheds, crops and even sometimes houses were burned when these fires swept the country. Backfiring, digging, and other expedients were resorted to as means of stopping the flames when they were started, and sometimes all the men in a large neighborhood would be out with shovels trying to keep back the devouring element which threatened their homes and crops

Spring freshets brought many dangers, too. The flat country, without ditches to carry off the water or tilled fields to soak up the moisture, became covered in the spring with big swamps and sloughs. The small creeks became raging rivers, and travel became almost impossible.

Hail and windstorms and droughts during the growing season have at times caused loss, and in the early days late frosts in the spring and early frosts in the fall were a menace to crops not yet acclimated, and whose seed had been brought from regions where different climatic conditions existed.

In 1894 the chinch bugs caused much damage to the farmers. Methods of relief were taken, and since then, while they have done more or less damage, there have been no general ravages on the part of these destructive bugs.

But in spite of these drawbacks, Renville county has become one of the most prosperous in the state. Cattle and swine are found in large numbers, horse breeding is here a fine art, and all the crops usually found in this climate grow in abundance.

One of the features of the Renville county landscape is the great number of domestic groves. Every farm has a good wind-' break and a grove from which fuel is obtained.

All in all, there are few places in the United States more desirable as a place of residence than Renville county; settlers mi' coming here in large numbers, and the value of land is increasing yearly.

The Renville County Agricultural Society and its predecessors have held thirty-five annual fairs, for the most part at Bird Island. The society was organized Dec. 13, 1879, as the Renville County Agricultural & Live Stock Association. The incorporators were :

F. E. Wolff, Norman Hickok, George H. Megquier, W. A. Bump, Charles C. Ladd, J. S. Bowler, L. L. Timies, Albert Brown. J. K. Salisbury, John King, W. M. Holbrook, J. S. Niles, James Brown. E. I). Stone, and J. J. Sterns. J. K. Salisbury was president; J. S. Niles, first vice-president ; Albert Brown, second vice-president; J. C. Ladd, third vice-president; J. S. Bowler, secretary, and F. E. Wolff, treasurer. The first fair was held at Bird Island in 1880. For a time the fair was held at Hector, but for the most part it has been held at Bird Island, where the present splendid fair grounds are permanently located.

Dec. 12, 1895. the Bird Island Fair Association was incorporated by J. M. Bowler, F. L. Puffer, A. N. Stone, H. H. Gokey, Charles Kenning, L. L. Tinnes, I. S. Gerald, J. A. Johnson and Philip Johnson. For some years one association conducted the fair and the other controlled the grounds.

Jan. 1, 1912, the Renville County Agricultural Society was reorganized, having on Dec. 9, 1910, secured control of the stock of the Bird Island Fair Association from which it had previously rented the grounds.

The fair grounds and the exhibitons conducted there have given Bird Island wide note. The track is excellent, and the buildings arc ample and sightly. New improvements are made each year. At the entrance is the ticket office. The agricultural building houses the school exhibits, the women's exhibits, the Farm Club exhibits, and the general agricultural exhibits. The poultry building, the cattle building and the horse exhibit buildings stand in a row. The swine exhibit building is admirably adapted to its purpose, and south of this are the race horse barns. It is possible that the race horses in the near future will be accommodated at the other side of the tracks. The grandstand seats some 1,600 people. There is a splendid half-mile race track, with the usual judges' stand, and the like. Bleachers have been erected and here are staged many exciting games of the Renville County Baseball League. Not far away is the building of the Bird Island Gun Club and the grounds where the members do their trap shooting. The grounds and buildings are a monument of all who assisted in the development of the project. Old settlers recall the erection of the first building, its destruction by a cyclone, and the many discouragements which were overcome by the few devoted souls who in the early days endeavored to keep the fair alive. It is generally acknowledged that the Bird Island fair is now one of the best, and possibly the very best, local fair held in the state.

The present officers are : J. M. Olson, president ; D. S. Hall, first vice-president; Timothy O'Connor, second vice-president; Fred Foesch, third vice-president; Paul Kolbe, secretary; H. A. Puffer, treasurer; directors, C. F. Neitzel, Chas. Kenning; Joseph

The superintendents of exhibits in 1915 were: Division A, Horses, Ed. Kienholz and Jos. Sester; Division B., Cattle, William Korrect; Division C, Swine and Sheep, C. E. Dahlgren and R. V. Prakes ; Division D., Poultry, Henry Sing ; Division E., Farm Produce, Chas. Glesener and George Hess; Division P., Domestic Products, Mrs. H. A. Puffer and Mrs. Ben Korkemeier, assistant superintendent; Division G., Supplementary, Henry Broderius; Division H., Miscellaneous, H. V. Poore.

The Renville County Poultry Association, which name was adopted Feb. 14, 1911, was organized Oct. 16, 1909, as the Bird Island Poultry Association. The first officers were: President, Joseph Kienholz; secretary, Paul Kolbe ; treasurer, Ben. Korkemeier. The first exhibition was held January 5-7, and annual successful exhibitions have since continued to be given. The present officers are : President, Joseph Kienholz ; vice-president, Ben. Korkemeier; secretary and treasurer, Paul Kolbe; directors, Ed. Kienholz, Joseph Ziller and Gus. Ninow.

The Minnesota Valley Agricultural and Live Stock Association was organized April 5, 1891, the incorporators being W. G. Bartley, J. H. McGowan, John M. Clancy, J. M. Farisy, Don. Mc- Nevin, Andrew MeCormick, George Welch, W. W. Miller, M. Dooly. T. J. Treadwell, John Mcintosh, Fred Morgan, of Morton ; 0. L. Dornberg and Joseph Tyson, of Redwood Falls. The first officers were : President, J. H. McGowan ; secretary, W. G. Bartley ; vice-president, S. A. Greenslit ; treasurer, Andrew MeCormick. Forty acres were purchased, various buildings were erected, and successful fairs were held for four years. The Birch Cooley monument was erected on the grounds and the fair became widely known. In 1894 the grandstand was erected. But the fair of that year was the last held. The legislature passed an act which deprived the Morton, Renville and Olivia fairs of state support, leaving the oldest fair, the one at Bird Island, the only one so supported. Mr. McGowan has acquired the fair grounds and, to a certain extent, trains his standard bred horses there. A few race meets have also been held there and various celebrations are given from time to time on the grounds.