120 tons and 336,002 tons respectively, and in 1889 and 1890 the Pioneer mine, also at Ely, shipped 3,100 tons and 12,016 tons respectively. This production has returned to the state treasury directly, in lieu of all other tax on the mining properties (Gen. Laws 1881. An act to encourage mining, etc.) a revenue of thirty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-four dollars and forty-seven cents, being at the rate of one cent per ton on all shipments. By law one-half of this is returned to the counties. in which the mines are situated. The development of such an iron production in so short a time is an event of more than local significance, and demands the attention of all who are interested in the iron industries of the country. It has called a large amount of capital to the state and has caused the growth of four considerable communities, Two Harbors, the shipping point on Lake Superior; Soudan, the mining point on Vermilion lake; Tower, the trade entrepot for Soudan, about a mile and a half from Soudan, and Ely, at the present terminus of the railroad. It has, besides, quickened all other industry and trade in the northern part of the state, and attracted numerous explorers and capitalists who have made such discoveries of iron in other parts of the region north of lake Superior that it is not unlikely that the next seven years will witness the doubling of the present annual output. As to the extent and value of this iron ore in a state of nature, so far as it exists in the state of Minnesota, it is impossible to give it any reliable expression in dollars and cents. This is due to the conditions of valuation, which are so constantly fluctuating and fictitious, and to the uncertainty that always . enters into the costs that should or should not be charged to legitimate mining. There is no difficulty, however, in conveying an idea of the net profit that accrues to the miner at the present time on a ton of iron ore. It may be set down at not less than three dollars, making an aggregate profit, at that rate, of over ten millions of dollars on the ores that have thus far been produced. Secondly, as to the probable geographical extent of these deposits of iron ore, no positive statement can be made in detail. We can only state positively, in general terms, that there are known to be two important iron "ranges," known as the Vermilion and Mesabi. The exportation thus far has only been from the Vermilion range, and from but a small portion of the known area included in that range. This belt extends, by way of Tower, from Hunter's island on the international boundary, to the upper waters of the Little Fork and Bowstring rivers, and there is no known reason why there may not be taken from this belt, in every township crossed by it, as large an amount of ore as has lately been mined at Tower. The Mesabi range extends from near Pigeon river, on the international boundary, to the Mississippi river, crossing it near Grand Rapids. Ore has long been known in this range, but since the great development in the Vermilion range, less attention has been given to this. Recently, however, important discoveries have been made, and it is not too much to expect that the Mesabi range will, in the near future, vie with the Gogebic, of which it is the northern counterpart, in the amount and quality of the ore mined. The location and extent of these ore belts are delineated on the geological map accompanying the special report on the iron ores of the state, prepared by Prof. Winchell, state geologist, and just published. In this elaborate report full particulars are given, with numerous illustrations, of the discovery, development, geology, quality and prospects of the iron ores of the state. It is intended that this report shall be presented to the present legislature. AGRICULTURE. As an agricultural state Minnesota with its favorable climate, rich soil, and abundant water, cannot be surpassed by any state in the west for successful diversified farming. The statistics of 1890 indicate that there are 95,500 farms in the state, with a cultivated area of 6,474,662 acres, and in addition thereto, natural meadows, which yielded in 1889, 1,791,663 tons of wild hay. The wheat crop of 1889 figures 42,334,570 bushels, from 2,736,519 acres, being an average of 15.5 bushels to an acre. During the year 1889 the ruling prices of farm produce were quite low, but with a conservative estimate of values for the year, the productions will aggregate in money value, $64,000,000, independent of the value of the surplus stock of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and other live stock. The reports for 1890 are not yet gathered, but, considering the improved prices for the year, the aggregate of values, based upon an equal pro duction, will probably equal one hundred millions of dollars. We have no data from which to estimate the receipts from the sales of live stock, but the following table shows the number of animals in the state, reported for taxation in 1890: Within the past two years a great increase has been made in the establishment of creameries and cheese factories; and Minnesota is now occupying a front rank for the quality of its butter and cheese productions. The following comparative table has been prepared by the dairy and food commissioner, as bearing upon this subject: No. of cows in the state in 1886. Increase since 1886.... No. of creameries in the state in 1886. No. of creameries in the state in 1890. Increase since 1886..... No. of cheese factories in the state in 1886. No. of cheese factories in the state in 1890 Increase since 1886... No. pounds of butter made in 1886 No. of pounds cheese made in 1886. Value of butter produced in 1890. MANUFACTURES. 392,536 994,794 630,391 82 235 153 44 131 87 27,953,028 44,791,160 16,838,132 1,303,329 9,950,658 8,647,329 .$6,718,674.00 $995,065.80 While the leading industry' of the state is agricultural, the manufactures of flour and lumber, being almost entirely the production of the state, are worthy of particular note for their great extent; that of flour alone being nearly equal to the entire output of all other portions of the United States. The daily capacity of the merchant flouring mills in the state is equal to 53,000 barrels. The total output for the year ending August 31, 1890, amounts to the magnificent showing of over nine millions of barrels, of which amount the city of Minneapolis is credited with 6,871,985 barrels. The lumber statistics for 1889, as reported by the surveyors general, give the manufactured lumber at 661,074,505 feet, shingles 300,660,375, and lath at 140,877,210, and at a conservative estimated value, amounting to over eight millions of dollars annually. The successful manufacture of beet sugar in the state of Nebraska is now attracting the attention of citizens of Minnesota, and it is affirmed that the soil and climate of Minnesota will produce the sugar beet in its greatest perfection; and that in the near future beet sugar will be a large additional factor in the agricultural products of the state. Manufactures of agricultural machinery, wagons, barrels, firkens and furniture, largely supplied by material from our hardwood forests, are scattered in different sections of the state. Also some new industries are being started in the manufacture of flax fibre, which will doubtless increase the raising of flax throughout the state. EDUCATION. By the organic act of Minnesota, two sections of land in each township were set aside by the general government for the support of popular education in the state; and the state constitution provides that the proceeds of this land shall remain a perpetual school fund for the state, only the income of which shall be used to pay for the schooling of its children. This fund for the school year ending July 31, 1890, was $8,955,920.46. In accordance with a law passed by the legislature in 1887, а tax of one mill is annually levied on the property of the state for the support of common schools. The total receipts from interest on the permanent fund and the one mill tax for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1890, amounted to $890,139.70, and the number of scholars entitled to the apportionment was 221,186,* giving the sum of $3.68 for each scholar. RAILROADS. On the 30th of June, 1890, there were 5,409 miles of railroad in operation. The general government has granted to railroads within this state 12,151,527 acres of land, and the state has given 1,811,750 acres of swamp and other lands, making a . total of 13,933,277 acres of land within the state given to railroads, valued on the average at $5 per acre, making $69,666,385 thus given them. In addition, local, county and state bonds. bonuses, etc., have been given to them to the amount of $6,680,000, making, in lands and cash, a total gift of $76,496,385, or about $19,344 per mile, completed. The capital stock, bonds and debt of all the railroads in the state June 30, 1889, amounts to $231,973,866, showing a debt equal to $43,697 per mile. For the year 1890, the taxes to be paid were certified to the state auditor to amount to $698,229. The total gross earnings of all the roads for the year ending June 30, 1890, were $27,193, 168, and the net income amounted to $10,882,106. *In the manual of 1889, the number of scholars entitled to apportionment was placed at 245,875. The decrease is caused by lengthening the time necessary for scholars to have attended school, from thirty days to forty days. In 1889 when the law went into effect the number entitled to apportionment was 214,568. |