AGRICULTURE. Although only a little over one half (51.8 per cent.) of the land area is in chided in farms, the State has attained the first rank in the cultivation of certain crops. Every decade since 1850 has witnessed a large gain in the Brun acreage, the largest being made from 1890 to 1900. The percentage of improved farm land has also constantly increased, reach ing 70.3 per cent. in 1900. The land not included in farms is found mainly in the extensive forest areas of the northern part of the State. From 1891 to 1901 an annual average of about 375, 000 acres of homestead lauds were entered. The recent expansion of the farming area has been greatest in the Northwest. The limitation of many large farms in that section tends to increase the average size of farms for the State, notwith standing the division of farm holdings going on in the southern part of the State. In 1900 there were 365 farms containing cavil 1000 acres or more. The average size in 1900 was 169.7 acres, as compared willi 139.4 acres in 1870. The rent system is becoming very common, the percentage of rented farms having increased from 9.2 in 1880 to 17.3 in 1900. About four-fifths of these were rented according to the share system. it is in this region—partieularly the Red River Valley—that wheat-growing has been so exten sively developed. For a number of years there was little indication that the crop would attain much prominence in the State. The processes of milling then in use could obtain only an in ferior quality of flour from the 'spring wheat' such as was raised in the State. With the in troduction of modern method:, however, this difficulty was obviated and the State mills be came famous for the high quality of their prod net. The cultivation of wheat then inc•ea.sed rapidly, and in 1890 the State had become first in both acreage and production. From 1890 to 1900 the increase was unprecedented, the acreage for the latter year being 94.5 per cent. greater than for the former, and constituting, 5S.5 per cent. of the area devoted to cereals. The per acre production is high. and the State easily holds first rank in the production of this cereal. In parts of the State the sowing and harvesting of wheat are done with the large type of ma chinery which performs a number of processes. Oats has about a third as great an acreage as wheat, and ranks next. to it in importance. it has always been a prominent crop in the State, and continues to increase in acreage. Owing principally to the shortness of the season, corn has never been a favorite crop, and in this respect the State stands in striking contrast with Iowa and most of the other Mississippi Valley States. Both corn and oats are grown most extensively in the southwestern part of the State. In barley
and flaxseed raising also, the State takes a high rank, and increasing quantities of rye are pro duced. Hay and forage crops cover about one half as great an acreage as is devoted to wheat. Of this, 69.6 per cent. (1900) consisted of wild, salt, and prairie grasses. Large quantities of Irish potatoes are raised, and the cultivation of the sugar beet has been introduced. Fruit cul ture is mainly confined to the southern part of the State and is not yet extensively developed.
The little attention given to the raising of corn is largely responsible for the poor showing of the State in the raising of stock. Most of the Mississippi Valley Slates far excel Minnesota, in this respect. Xevertheless. every decade since 18:10 shows an increase for all varieties of farm animals. except sheep. and mules. and asses, for the decade 1890 1900. The relative gain in the number of dairy cows was greatly excelled by the increase in the dairy produce. Of a total value of $16023.100 for the year 1900, 069 per cent. represented the amount derived from sales. The value of poultry products for the census year 1900 amounted to $7.364.865.
The following tables show the relative impor tance 44 the leading varieties of c•t•ops and farm animals for the census years 1590 and 1900: .1innesota has won much re nown by virtue of its manufacturing enterprises. The success of these is mainly attributable to the abundance of its grain and forest products. and the excellence of its water power and transporta tion facilities. Lake Superior. touching the State on the northeast, gives access to the whole sys tem of lake transportation. while the 'Mississippi River and the railroad development in the south give superior advantages to that section. In but few. if thy, States has the industrial development been so rapid. The value 44 the manufactured product in 1900—$262.655,000—was eleven as lune as in 1870. The absolute gain was greatest between 15S0 and ISileb Itt 1900 the in dustry elllphoyed 77.200 wage-earners, or 4.4 per cent. of the population. This was a higher abso lute figure than for 1890, but a smaller per cent. of the population than in 1590. The beginning of the ainnufactta•ing industry in the State was prophetic of tile course of its development. In 'y•'•' n saw-mill was erected at the Falls of Saint .Anthony, and two years later was fitted up for the grinding of flour. In 1900 the value of the products of these and certain allied industries was over one-half of the total for State. and around the Fails of t'''"11 tat nt itOrlY had grown 1111 the twin vitt of :Minneapolis-Saint Paul— one of tile three large industrial centres located On the 'Mississippi River.