1884


The Wisconsin Land, Emigration

and Colonization Company.   


 RING, YOUMANS & CO.

THOROUGH, PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION IN AMERICAN FARMING, INCLUDING GRAIN RAISING, STOCK GROWING, DAIRYING AND ALL

BRANCHES OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.


A PLAN SUPERIOR TO ALL OTHERS.

Pupils Under the Constant Surveillance and Tuition of an

Eminent Practical and Scientific Agriculturist.      

A FARM FURNISHED TO EACH PUPIL.

Instead of placing pupils promiscuously among ordinary farmers, as   is usually done, this Company keeps ALL PUPILS TOGETHER upon its large farm, and gives them daily instruction and experience in the best systems and in all branches of   

AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.   

Rare opportunities to acquire an honorable and profitable occupation in life for Gentlemen's sons and others desiring to engage in American Agriculture and to acquire farms in the most desirable parts of the United States.  

 Read and consider the following points of advantage:

THIS company takes pleasure in presenting to such Persons as are interested in the subject of American farming, and all such as may be desirous of visiting the United States of America. Either to remain permanently and engage in any of the various branches of honorable and profitable business which are open to young men, or to spend a year in study and observation of American modes of business, including farming in all its branches a brief outline of the main features of their plan, which it is confidently believed commends itself as superior to all others intended to accomplish a similar purpose--in fact the only plan which experience proves broad and comprehensive enough to insure the complete accomplishment of the desired end.      

OUR PLAN  

This company takes its pupils in charge at London or Liverpool, and furnishes an experienced conductor who accompanies them direct to the company's large farm in Clark county, Wisconsin, stopping a few days at New York, Chicago, and the chief metropolitan cities, in order to give the pupils an opportunity to view such objects of interest as may be desired. The passage, both by water and rail, is secured and paid for by the conductor, from the time of starting to the end of the journey, and only first-class accommodations are provided.  

The company's farm is provided with large, commodious and comfortable buildings sufficient to accommodate fifty pupils, and supplied with all the modern appliances for successful practical farming, including the raising of grain, stock-growing and dairying, and is in charge of a thorough practical agriculturist.  

The pupils are conducted direct to this farm and immediately placed under the care and instructions of the agriculturist in charge. Good wholesome food, and clean, comfortable sleeping apartments are furnished to each pupil. In case of sickness, experienced nurses and the best of medical attendance is furnished by the company free of charge.

An opportunity is given to each pupil to participate in the daily labors of the farm, indeed all are urged to do as much as their strength and experience will reasonably permit. Except in cases where the request or direction of the parent is otherwise. Each pupil is permitted, within certain reasonable limits, to decide for himself, how much labor to perform.

Experience has shown that too much manual labor is not beneficial, and retards rather than promotes the acquisition of the most valuable knowledge which comes largely from instruction and observation. The daily association together of the pupils and the discussion of matters and theories pertaining to agricultural subjects, stimulates a laudable rivalry and healthful interest which seldom, if ever exists, when the pupils are placed singly among ordinary farmers, so far apart frequently, that they can meet only at long intervals, and are expected to labor more than the good of the pupil demands. Our plan obviates the difficulties incident to that of placing pupils singly among ordinary farmers in numerous ways, as will be at once observed, not the least important among which is the frequent and quite natural feeling of loneliness and discouragement that comes to the pupil during the first few months when entirely alone among strangers.

Conveyance to and from the little city of Neillsville, about two miles from the farm, which is the county seat and nearest post office, is furnished by the company free of charge.

When the year of instruction is over, the company furnishes to each pupil who desires it, a clear title of forty acres of the rich land described in the accompanying pamphlet, which is covered with valuable hard-wood timber, and continues its surveillance over the pupil so long as he requires it. The richest of improved farms will also be furnished if desired.

These valuable lands in their natural state are worth on an average, one thousand dollars per forty acres, and the company furnishes them at that price. While the company desires that each pupil shall take the land, and become a resident of this fertile and prosperous locality, it is optional in each case with the pupil, either before or after the year of instruction.

The company can, if it is desired, place pupils with thrifty American farmers, in the same locality where they will receive proper instruction, care and attention; and if there are those, who from preconceived ideas of their own, or from motives of economy, prefer this plan, they will be conducted to and located with good responsible farmers, and the company will take pleasure in extending its watchfulness over all such.

OUR TERMS.

1st. For conducting pupils from London or Liverpool to the farm in Wisconsin -defraying all the necessary expenses, furnishing board, lodgings, instructions, medical attendance and nursing (if needed), conveyances, etc. as specified in the foregoing, for one year, together with Forty Acres of Rich Farming Land (either timber or prairie as desired), five hundred pounds.

2nd. For conducting pupils from London or Liverpool to the farm in Wisconsin--defraying all the necessary expenses--furnishing board, lodging, instruction, medical attendance, conveyance, etc., all as above specified without land, three hundred pounds.

3rd. For conducting pupils from London or Liverpool to Clark county, Wisconsin, defraying all expenses of the journey, including first class passage and accommodation and locating them with good thrifty responsible farmers, to be practically taught American farming, and furnishing board and lodgings with bed and room to each, etc., for one year, the pupil to properly conduct himself and diligently aid in the work of the farm, and the general care and oversight of the pupil by the company for that time, one hundred and twenty pounds.

Pupils may change from the third to either of the other two specified places at any time during the year, payment to be made proportionally for the unexpired portion of the twelve months.

Payments under the first and second plans above specified, are made as follows:

Not to exceed eighty pounds to the company's conductor or its authorized London or Liverpool agents when the contract is executed. The balance is deposited in a Bank at London or Liverpool to be designated by the company and by that bank remitted to The Bank of North America, New York City, U. S. A., to the credit of the Clark County Bank of Neillsville, Wisconsin, to be paid by the latter to the company, at the end of each quarter in even and equal parts. The certificate of the bank in which the deposit is made, specifying the foregoing particulars, is delivered to the company's conductor or agents when the deposit is made.

In case the company fails to fulfill its agreements or in case of dissatisfaction from any cause on the part of the person signing the contract on behalf of the pupil, the contract may be terminated by him, at the end of any quarter, and he may thereupon draw from the bank at Neillsville, the remainder of the amount deposited for the unexpired portion of the year, and such remainder shall be payable to his order.

Payments under the third plan are made when the contract is executed and delivered. If desired, one-half this amount will be accepted when contract is executed, and balance deposited as under ether plans, to be paid over by the Clark County Bank when the pupil is satisfactorily placed with the farmer.

Having first determined upon one of the several plans submitted, a contract in duplicate is entered into between the parties.

Due notice is given to all parties of the time and place of starting.

A compliance with these requirements insures perfect security to both parties, and the fulfillment of the agreement on both sides.

The foregoing constitute the leading features, and most important details of our system and modes of operation, without the arguments in favor of their great superiority to all others, and it is confidently submitted that the simple statement without exaggeration or embellishment is the strongest argument in favor of our plans.

Some persons engaged in placing young Englishmen singly in America among so-called " practical farmers," write books and pamphlets to prove the superiority of that system, and hence quite naturally deprecate the plan of keeping the pupils together as this company does; whether they do so from a lack of practical knowledge themselves, or because they have not the means and appliances for keeping their pupils together, is immaterial. Their plans, as well as their arguments, are open to serious objections, among which may be mentioned the following:

In any given county or locality there are but very few really "practical farmers" who are qualified to teach or instruct young men in farming with any degree of intelligence, so that of necessity the youths are placed very far apart, so that a quite natural feeling of loneliness and discouragement almost invariably comes over them, in which condition, even if the pupil remains with the farmer, he can neither learn nor labor to advantage; or else they are placed with farmers who are neither sufficiently practical nor intelligent to render to the youth even a modicum, not to say the largest amount of practical knowledge and experience obtainable within the specified time.

Under the system of placing young men singly among the farmers, the pupil is required to do the same work, and has substantially the same food, lodgings and treatment as an ordinary farm laborer who, although he may have spent twelve years instead of twelve months in the employ and under the so-called "instruction" of these ordinary "practical farmers," earns and receives but from twenty-six to thirty dollars per month, while the pupil is required to pay for the privilege of doing the same things.

 If to live with and labor for an ordinary "practical farmer" fits and qualifies a young man for a desirable and honorable position in life, surely the man who has lived with and labored for the same farmer for ten years, is qualified for the most exalted place; but experience has fully demonstrated that such are not the results in a great majority of cases. The laborer generally continues to labor for the same wages, and the pupil at the end of his year leaves the farmer with a kindly feeling perhaps, but generally without any more knowledge of, or experience in that thorough, practical and scientific agriculture which qualifies him to successfully and profitably manage a farm for himself, and become a real American farmer than he had at the beginning. The foundation of success in American farming is not ability to perform physical labor, but a broad comprehensive and practical understanding of, and experience in, the best means and methods of producing desired results. This involves, in grain-raising, an understanding of the rotation and adaptability of the various crops, how to prepare the soil, when to sow and plant, when to harvest, thresh and market the various kinds of grain--the use of the various labor-saving agricultural implements and the making of plans for the coming season--in stock-raising an understanding of the characteristics, habits, and manner of selecting, breeding and crossing the most desirable breeds of the various kinds of stock; and in dairying, all that pertains to that important and profitable branch of American farming. These and many other items every successful farmer must understand, and to claim that a year's experience of a young Englishman, placed alone with an ordinary farmer, by the side of the ordinary farm laborer, furnishes him a fair opportunity to gain such necessary knowledge and experience, is to assert that which neither the reason nor the facts in the case will justify.

When the pupils are placed alone, there is usually nothing to stimulate that interest, and rivalry in the acquisition of useful knowledge and intelligent practical experience, or the discussion of the various subjects and theories which is desirable and is always observed among those associated together for a common purpose.

Under those systems which require the youth to labor for the farmer as a part of the contract, the pupil who is interested in becoming proficient in a business which requires a cultivation of the brain quite as much as the brawn, is in a measure retarded rather than aided in the acquisition of that valuable fund of information which can only be derived in the specified time from intelligent, practical instruction by a skilled agriculturist, whose whole time and attention are devoted to the business, and from personal observation and experience upon the largest and best of farms, where all branches of American farming are practically and intelligently carried on, and the best farm machinery and appliances are in daily use in all the leading branches of the business.

Residing with and laboring for an ordinary farmer qualifies a young man to earn ordinary wages, while a course of instruction at one of our great Agricultural Colleges qualifies him for almost any station he may desire; he can command a salary of from fifteen hundred to three thousand dollars per year, or become the intelligent proprietor and successful manager of his own farm.

The system adopted by this company obviates the difficulties inherent in the plans of other similar organizations, and at the same time the danger that exists in the colleges, to-wit: a tendency toward too much theory and too little practice.

This company is purely American, and is in a better situation to know the practical workings of the various systems than any foreign company, and with a thorough knowledge of the practical workings of the other plans, they have adopted and confidently recommend their system to all persons at all interested in the subject.

Our field of operation in America is the State of Wisconsin, and we would respectfully refer our readers to the annexed description for full and reliable particulars concerning the size, wealth. population, industries and wonderful resources of this young and prosperous commonwealth.

In addition to her wealth of agricultural, mineral manufacturing, and other resources, the forests, lakes and rivers of Wisconsin abound in an endless variety of large and small game and fish, including wild deer, foxes, rabbits, squirrel, prairie chicken, grouse, partridge, pheasant, wood-cock, snipe, pigeons and wild duck, and of fish, the speckled trout in the small streams, and pickerel, pike, bass, catfish and other varieties in the lakes and larger rivers, which furnish the most delightful recreation to those who enjoy fishing and hunting.

This company is a private undertaking composed of gentlemen well known throughout Wisconsin. Its location is at Neillsville, Clark county, Wisconsin. Its objects are to promote the settlement in Wisconsin, of intelligent young Englishmen, and to furnish them the land on which to settle and begin life, and to befriend them and lend them a helping hand until they have become self-sustaining.

Not only is the business of American farming open to such young men, but all the avenues of life--all business, literary, social and political circles are open to every respectable young man, and this company will do all in its power in any and every way to assist those whom it has brought here to become American citizens, and to possess and enjoy all the rights and privileges to which they are entitled.

Neillsville, Wisconsin, is located on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad, about one hundred miles from the wonderful cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and within a few hours' ride of Madison, the capital, and Milwaukee, the metropolis of the state, and about eleven hours' ride from Chicago.

Neillsville is a thrifty, bustling, prosperous little city, situated in one of the finest portions of the state, and enjoys the advantages of electric lights, railroad, telegraphic and telephone connections with the outside world. It has good churches and excellent public schools, and all the various branches of business are represented. The population of Clark county is nearly twenty thousand, and of Neillsville about two thousand, while both the city and county are comparatively young.

 The company sends its agent from Neillsville to London, and also appoints and authorizes responsible agents and representatives, residents at Liverpool and London, who will cheerfully furnish to those desiring, more of the details and particulars than can be given in a pamphlet of this kind.

Parties may address inquiries to the company direct. All communications should be addressed to

RING, YOUMANS & COMPANY,

Neillsville, Clark County,

Wisconsin, U. S. A.

The following are the forms of contract used by the company, which can be filled out or modified as the case requires:

 

THE WISCONSIN LAND, EMIGRATION AND COLONIZATION

COMPANY.

..................................................................188........

RECEIVED of........................................................................................................................................................................

the sum of..................................................................................................................................................................the same

being the advance payment out of the total sum of ....................................................................................................................

for which we undertake and agree to conduct from.....................................................................................................to our farm near Neillsville, Wisconsin .......................who is now ................................................................................................ Years of age, as a student of American Agriculture and to defray all necessary expenses from the time of starting to the end of the journey, including first class passage by water and rail, hotel and omnibus fare, furnishing board, bed and bedroom to himself, instructions, medical attendance, nursing and conveyance, at our farm, under a thorough, practical and competent American farmer, for one year from.................................................................................and to furnish to said pupil a clear and perfect title to.............acres of rich farming land. (Either timber land or prairie as desired.) The pupil is to receive daily practical instruction and be furnished an opportunity to participate in the labors of the farm. The amount and kind of labor to be performed by him to be determined by himself or his guardian, parents or friends. While this company will not be responsible for any consequences resulting from accident, intemperance or misconduct on the part of the pupil, it agrees to use its utmost endeavors to prevent such consequences. The balance of said total sum is to be deposited in a bank in England, I to be designated by the company amid by that bank remitted (less ex- change) to the Bank of North America, New York City, U. S. A., to the credit of the Clark County Bank of Neillsville, Wisconsin, to he paid by the latter to this company at the end of each quarter in even and equal parts, and the certificate of the bank where such deposit is made, specifying the foregoing particulars, as near as may be, delivered to this company, where the deposit is made. In case the company fails to fulfill its agreements or in case of dissatisfaction from any cause, on the part of the person signing this contract on behalf of the pupil, the contract may be terminated by him at the end of any quarter, and he may thereupon draw from the bank at Neillsville the remainder of the amount deposited for the unexpired portion of the year, and such remainder shall be payable to his order.

...................................................................188..............

No...................................................

 

 

MESSRS. RING YOUMANS AND COMPANY.

THE

Wisconsin band, Emiuration and Colonization Company,

By permission, respectfully refer to the following gentlemen and banks, to whom one or more of the members of the firm are personally known.

CLARK COUNTY BANK, Neillsville, Wisconsin.

Hon. F. D. LINDSAY, Mayor of Neillsville, Wisconsin.

Hon. R. J. McBRIDE, Member of Legislature for Clark County, Wisconsin.

HON. J. R. STURDEVANT, County Judge, Clark County, Wisconsin.

H. N. WITHEE, County Treasurer, Clark County, Wisconsin.

GEO. A. AUSTIN, President Agricultural Society, Clark County, Wisconsin.

Hon. JEREMIAH M. RUSK, Governor of the State of Wisconsin.

HON. LUCIUS FAIRCHILD, late American Consul at Liverpool, and ex-Governor of Wisconsin.

HON. ANGUS CAMERON, United States Senator for Wisconsin.

HON. ROMANZO BUNN, Judge United States District Court. Madison, Wisconsin.

CLINTON BABBITT, Secretary Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. Madison, Wisconsin.

PROF. CHARLES J. VANHISE, University of Wisconsin.

COL. L. J. RUSK, Private Secretary to the Governor of Wisconsin.

R. G. DUNN & CO., Mercantile Agency.

BRADSTREETS Mercantile Agency.

LEVI ARCHER,

PRESIDENT

JAMES HEWITT, 

VICE-PRESIDENT

Clark County Bank.

CAPITAL STOCK, - - - 925,000.00.

Incorporated A. D. 1875.

NEILLSVILLE, Wisconsin, January 2, 1884.

MESSRS. RING, YOUMANS & CO.:

Gentlemen--In reply to your communication of the seventeenth ult., we would say, we have examined your prospectus for 1S84, and do not hesitate to pronounce your system superior to all others for the introduction and thorough, practical education in the American mode of farming in all its varied and important parts, of the young men who desire to become proficient in that business, and settle in the United States. We are acquainted with your Agriculturist, Mr. Austin. You have indeed been fortunate in securing the cooperation of so thorough, practical and painstaking an instructor for the youths committed to your care.

You may refer any persons who desire information concerning your business and financial standing, to us, and we will gladly furnish all information desired. We will also furnish our correspondent in New York City with full particulars regarding your standing, responsibility, etc., as you suggest.

{ Clark County Bank Seal }

We shall be pleased to act as custodian Clark County of such funds as may be deposited in or remitted to this bank, under agreement between yourselves and the young men, Bank. subject to the conditions of such agreements.

 

W. G. KLOPF, Acting Cashier.

 

LEVI ARCHER, President.

 

 The following statement from His Excellency, the present Governor of Wisconsin, who was six years Member of Congress from Wisconsin, and to whom the other systems and modes of teaching American farming, have been submitted for his approval, authenticated by the Executive Privy Seal of the State, is appended as evidence from one having the best of opportunities for knowing the practical workings of other systems, as well as of the character and responsibility of the company.

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,

          MADISON, WISCONSIN.

          January 5, 1S84.

To Whom Tlhis Shall Come:

I have examined the system of the Wisconsin Land, Emigration and Colonization Company, and I believe theirs to be the best method yet adopted for successfully teaching American farming. I have known Mr. M. C. Ring, one of the company, for a number of years and have always known him to be a trustworthy, energetic and reliable gentleman.

{Executive Privy Seal

State of Wisconsin}

Witness my hand and Privy

Seal, at Madison, Wis-

consin, this fifth day of January, A. D. 1884.

 

J. M. Rusk.

By the Governor:

 L. J. Rusk,

Private Secretary.

 

Wisconsin, U. S. A.

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS AS TO ITS ADVANTAGES FOR

AGRICULTURAL AND STOCK RAISING PURPOSES.

SOIL.

No state in the Union contains a more varied surface, or lands better adapted to the necessities of all branches of agriculture than Wisconsin.

The southern portion of the state is made up of rich, rolling prairies, dotted here and there with groves of timber, and supplied with abundance of water -while the central and northern portions are more heavily timbered with all the various kinds of hard wood-and along the large streams, vast quantities of white pine are found. Tall, straight hardwood trees of such varieties as white oak, ash, hickory and maple, never grow on sandy lands. The soil of the timber lands of central Wisconsin, where Clark County is located, is, for the most part, a rich, heavy loam, and under laid by a heavy clay subsoil. In the valleys and low lands we find a heavy, black loam, like the soil of the most fertile prairies of Illinois, but which has the advantage of being better protected because of the timber and surrounding hills. A peculiar feature of these lands is the thick' layer of mould which everywhere covers the surface. These lands do not appear to have ever been burned over. As a consequence, the leaves, acorns, grass and other debris of the forest, have accumulated in a decaying mass for centuries, leaving a rich, black mould of wonderful richness. It is so mellow, porous and fertile, that as soon as the trees have been felled and removed, it is customary to simply harrow over the land and sow the grain upon it without further preparation, for the first two years or more, by which time the decay of the smaller roots in the ground has added still further to the richness of the soil, and left it ready to plow.

Another notable feature of Wisconsin soil is its durability. Long after the prairie lands have yielded to successive croppings and have to be strengthened by phosphates and guano, the lands of the timbered portions of this state are producing heavy crops without the aid of any artificial fertilizer whatever. Lands which have been cropped successively for ten years, show scarcely a perceptible diminution of strength. Instead of spending money for fertilizers, the farmer in northern Wisconsin needs only to plow a little deeper or plow under a crop of red clover (which of itself is one of the most profitable of crops), in order to give the land back the strength it has lost.

The capacities of such a soil are wonderful. On the clearings, forty bushels of wheat to the acre have been produced. Some of the common white varieties of oats have weighed forty-four pounds per bushel, while the standard weight is thirty-two pounds.

The report of the Department of Agriculture at Washington shows by its official statistics, that Wisconsin is the best state for the farmer. Success in farming depends on two things: Large crops and high prices. The western states which claim preeminence as agricultural states are Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, but let us see how these states compare with Wisconsin. According to the statistical reports at Washington, the average income per acre in dollars and cents would be as follows:

Wisconsin, wheat, $8.04; corn, $10.73; oats, $7.60; barley, $15.08; total per acre, $41.45.

Average total for the three states above named, according to same report, $26.63.

This advantage in favor of Wisconsin is due to the fact that it possesses one of the great primary markets of the world, in the city of Milwaukee, while Chicago lies near its borders. These two cities, which ship grain by millions of bushels to the east and to Europe, are connected with the farming lands of Wisconsin by a complete net-work of railways, and in addition to this the numerous great lakes and rivers, extending to the east and south, give the farmer every opportunity to get his products to market at a small expense. Farmers in Nebraska, Kansas, Dakota and western Iowa frequently lose half the price of their grain, because of the expense of transporting it a thousand miles to market. The agricultural products of northern Wisconsin embrace all the grains, vegetables and fruits peculiar to the temperate zone. Not only is every kind of European grain grown here successfully, but also Indian corn, flax, tobacco and fruit. Wild raspberries, whortleberries, cranberries, blackberries, etc., are found in great abundance, and the harvesting and shipment of them every summer constitutes quite an important industry.

TIMBER.

No finer forests of valuable woods can be found in the United States than those in northern Wisconsin. The great timber regions of Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan, which have supplied the country with building materials for so many years, are nearly exhausted, and, as the demands of the country are increasing in more than inverse ratio to the diminution of the supply, it is apparent that the wood lands of northern Wisconsin will become more and more valuable.

Wisconsin now exports lumber to all parts of the United States and England. Even Maine, that great lumber-producing state, has made calls for the products of the Wisconsin forests. Consider for a moment the value of the pine timber alone; over 1,800,000,000 feet of pine timber was manufactured during the year 1880 in the state of Wisconsin.

It is estimated that to convert 1,000,000 feet of logs into lumber requires the consumption of 1,200 bushels of oats, 9 barrels of pork and beef, 10 tons of hay, 40 barrels of flour, and the use of two spans of horses or two yokes of oxen. Before the lumber is ready for market over $6,000,000 are expended in producing it.

Thus it comes about that the farmer in northern Wisconsin has a market for his produce right at his door, and, strange as it may seem, he can often sell his hay and grain for a better price than he could get if he had it in New York city.

It is estimated that there are 35,000,000,000 of feet of pine timber standing in the forests of Wisconsin today, to say nothing of other timber. To get this pine timber to market will require an expenditure of over $150,000,000 and the men who are to receive the most of this money, are the men who first settle in the lumber districts. So much for the pine timber.

The hard woods-of which there is an almost endless quantity-are in great demand. Already factories, employing thousands of men and millions of capital have been located along the line of the Wisconsin Central Railway, which traverses the entire length of the eastern part of Clark county, for the purpose of manufacturing spokes, hubs, barrels, pails, furniture, etc., and thousands of other articles for which the hard wood of the forest is specially adapted. And these, like the pine, are rapidly increasing in value, so that the farner finds the timber on his land an immediate source of profit, instead of an obstacle.

The advantages of a timbered country over the prairie are many.  The forest trees keep the soil moist and rich, break the force of the winds, augment the rainfall, and purify the atmosphere. In the winter, the settler on the prairie is without employment, is consuming what he has earned during the summer, and is trying to withstand the rigor of the terrific prairie winds, and at the same time economize the scanty supply of fuel which he has had to buy at an exorbitant price. The settler on a timbered land, during the winter months is earning good wages, clearing off his own land, or working in the lumber camps, in which there is always a demand for men and teams.

CLIMATE.

Wisconsin has the true temperate climate. It has no long spells of exhaustingly hot weather, and in the winter the air is so dry, and there is so little wind that the cold weather is not to be dreaded. Owing to the dryness of the air and other causes, a temperature of 10 degrees above zero, Fahrenheit, does not produce the discomfort that 30 degrees above brings in the Eastern States. There are none of those damp, easterly winds that bring vapor from the Atlantic and make unendurable a relatively high temperature. The average annual temperature is 46 degrees, Fahrenheit; the average temperature of summer being 72 degrees, that of spring and autumn 47 degrees, and that of winter, 20.  In the woods, the snow lies evenly upon the ground, and protects the grass and winter wheat from severe frosts, while upon the prairies large portions of the fields are swept bare by the fierce winds, and the grass and grain are found black and lifeless in the spring, instead of fresh, green and juicy as in Wisconsin.

It is on account of its cool and even temperature that Wisconsin is never visited by the grasshopper plague. These swarms of insects, which have devastated the prairie farming lands of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and southern Minnesota, have never yet crossed the Mississippi river to this state, and never will, so long as the state retains its present climate and magnificent forests. Closely connected with the subject of climate is that of

HEALTH.

Wisconsin is the most healthful state in the Union. This, we are aware, is a very broad and sweeping assertion; but it is fully substantiated by the official statistics of the last Census Report of the United States, and by the testimony of thousands of invalids who annually visit our state for the benefit of their health. The proportion of deaths in Wisconsin is only 94 hundredths of one per cent less than one for every hundred of people. and only about 9 out of every 1009. This remarkably low rate has never been reached by any other well settled state.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.

There are over five thousand public schools in Wisconsin. There is a large, fully equipped State University, and four fine Normal Schools, at all of which scholars are educated free of charge. The schools are supported in part from a school fund, amounting in September, 1878, to $2,680,703.27, which sum has been derived chiefly from the sale of public lands granted to the state by the United States for that purpose.

PERSONAL RIGHTS.

In Wisconsin all men are free and equal before the law. Every man is at liberty to express his opinion upon any subject, and can have a speedy and ample remedy for any injury to his person, his reputation or his property. Perfect freedom of religious belief everywhere prevails. The emigrant may hold property whether he is a citizen or not, and in case of his death, it will descend to his heirs, wherever they may reside.

WISCONSIN WEALTH.

Not only is Wisconsin a growing state, but it is already one of the wealthiest of western states. The actual value of the real and personal estate in Wisconsin is greater than that of California by sixty million dollars. Wisconsin is five times as wealthy as the great state of Texas, four times as rich as Kansas, three times as rich as Minnesota, and twice as rich as Virginia. And not only is Wisconsin wealthy, but the average wealth of individual citizens is greater than in most other states. Here the average wealth of each person is $765.90, in Kansas it is $515.36, in Michigan it is $607.45, in Iowa $601.03, and in Texas $194.30. And it must be remembered that Wisconsin is yet a new state. Only a very small fraction of its resources have been developed as yet.

The Wisconsin Land, Emigration and Colonization Company owns and controls the sale of a large amount of the above described land, upon which it is desirous of locating English speaking people.

Within about two miles of the city of Neillsville the company has a farm of 360 acres, a large portion of which is under cultivation. This is a mixed stock. grain and dairy farm, and is under the direction of a thoroughly competent American agriculturalist. The company desires to place upon this estate under the tutorship of its manager, a number of young and middle-aged English gentlemen, and so instruct them in all branches of American farming. After a thorough course of instruction here, farms of any size and for prices ranging from $10 to $100 per acre-according to location an improvements will be furnished to those desiring to purchase and locate here.

The pupils will be instructed in the three principal branches of American farming-stock and grain raising and dairying. After leaving the school, and locating upon their own farms, the pupils will still be kept under the supervision of a competent person, who will instruct, at any time, those in need of his services. They will be located near the school and the headquarters of the company, so that in case any difficulty should arise in the management of their farms, questions in regard to the same may be asked at either of these places and the pupil will be instructed promptly the easiest way out of his trouble.

The company will also act as an employment bureau and supply headquarters for its pupils and those desirous of employing farm laborers, purchasing horses, cattle, wagons, farm implements, etc., etc., may do so through the company or its agents.

For further particulars, premiums, references, etc., see accompanying circular.

RING, YOUMANS & CO.,

The Wisconsin Land, Emigration and Colonization,, Company,

NEILLSVILLE, WISCONSIN, U. S. A.

Office: Clark County Bank Building.  

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Responses

I hadn't heard of this venture of M. C. Ring and Youmans' before, so apparently it didn't materialize to a great extent. Noting the mention of the farm being two miles from Neillsville, means it could have been either M. C.'s or Youmans' farm. M. C. had a stock and crop farm that was located two miles east on the Ridge Road, or what is Fifth Street that goes past the 1897 Jail Museum. M. C. imported a purebred stock of sheep and Hackney horses from England, which he raised and sold. He also imported a variety of wheat, which impressed those who saw its harvest. M. C. was an attorney by profession, but held an interest in the farming venture also, hiring a manager of the farm. His brother, L. B. Ring was editor of the Neillsville Times for several years. He also had a farm located one mile south, on the right side of now Highway 73, but wasn't into farming such as his brother. Youmans owned a large acreage located two miles east of Neillsville, along what now is Highway 10 where all buildings are gone except the barn, as the Ring barn is still standing. Youmans was into dairying, having a purebred milking herd and the first milking machine about 1909-1910. He also raised purebred sheep and some other livestock. After news got out that Youmans was using a milking machine for his dairying, tours were offered from Neillsville with people riding on wagons out to the farm, so as to witness the new invention in operation. I will try to find some info on the venture. I would guess that it was to be out on M. C.'s farm, as he had connections with importing stock from England and didn't live out there, ran it with hired manager, but that is only a guess. The two miles indicates that it could have been on either of the farms. Also, will try to look at the mid-1890s plat book pages, to see if there was any other acreage owned by Youmans and Ring.  Dee Zimmerman

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Merritt (M.C.) Ring and Clarion (C.A.) Youmans were law partners with fingers in a lot of pies. I think the connection with England was established by a cousin of Ring's (Melville Trux of Sparta); but haven't established exactly how. But, in 1884, on M.C. Ring's front porch in Neillsville, his sister Gertrude met and fell in love with Lionel Prescott, a visiting Englishman--who probably was there in connection with the prospectus. Prescott was a young entrepreneur and also son of the Archdeacon of Carlisle Cathedral in Cumbria, England. Lionel married Gertrude Ring in 1887 at her brother's home on 4th & Hewitt (later site of the Masonic Lodge).


I don't have information about whether any Englishmen took advantage of the farm program, but at least one got himself a wife!  In 1891, Lionel Prescott and his British partners invested $250,000 in a stock farm on George Austin's land on Pleasant Ridge; and M. C. Ring managed it.  And, 1905-1909: A steel fence post invented by Emery Bruley was marketed both here and in England by Lionel Prescott; Prescott eventually bought a controlling interest in the company when Bruley retired ca. 1909.  So that's a bit of England in Neillsville!  Cecily Ring Cook, (great-great granddaughter of M. C. Ring).
 

 

 


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