“ The unusual facilities for water transportation afforded by the large number of streams and lakes have been of advantage to the industry. But recently railroads have been extensively used for timber transportation, especially in the shipments to Minneapolis, where nearly half the lumber of the State is sawed. The State has displayed a greater interest in forest preservation than have most other States. The three elected town supervisors are fire wardens, and have the authority of impressing men into service to prevent forest fires. ”

“ The rank of the State has risen every decade, standing nineteenth in 1900. The largest absolute gain was in the decade 1880-90. From 1890 to 1900 the increase amounted to 34.5 per cent., as compared with 20.7 for the United States. During that decade every county in the State shared in the increase, but it was generally greatest throughout the northern ones, where the population is still very sparse. The movement of the population turned toward Minnesota at a period when the German immigration was still great and the Scandinavian peoples were just beginning to come in large numbers. ”

“ 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—particularly the Red River Valley—that wheat-growing has been so extensively 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 inferior quality of flour from the ‘spring wheat’ such as was raised in the State. ”

“ No other State contains so large a number of Swedes and Norwegians. In 1900 the foreign-born population numbered 505,318. The colored population numbered only 14,358, of whom 4959 were negroes, 7414 Indians taxed, and 1768 Indians not taxed. As is common in newly settled States, there is a large excess of the male sex. At the last census there were 22.1 inhabitants to the square mile. The State contains the two large metropolises of the Upper Mississippi Valley—Minneapolis and Saint Paul—and the per cent. of urban population is therefore high for so new a State. ”

“ A law was passed in 1901 for the creation of a Board of Control, consisting of three members appointed by the Governor and Senate for the term of six years, and having full power to manage and control the State charitable and penal institutions, and authority in financial matters in certain State schools, including those for the deaf and blind. Under the new system each institution has but one head, the superintendent. ”

“ The climate on the whole is rigorous in winter, though mild and even occasionally hot in the southern counties in summer. But the nights are always cool, and the air dry, making the whole State a favorite summer resort. ”

“ The State public school is for dependent and neglected children. The Reformatory, at Saint Cloud, is for criminals within the age period of sixteen to thirty years, while the older age group is sent to the prison at Stillwater. The convicts at the State prison are worked under the piece-price and public account systems, and also manufacture supplies for the use of the public institutions. ”

“ Voters must have resided in the State six months and in the election district thirty days and have been citizens of the United States for three months. Women may vote for school and library officers, or upon any measure pertaining to schools and libraries, and are eligible to school and library offices. ”

“ The Supreme Court judges cannot exceed five in number, and are elected by the electors of the State at large. The State is divided into districts, in each of which one or more judges are elected for a term of six years. There is a probate court in each county, elected for two years. Justices of the peace are elected for a term of two years.
Local Government. New counties may be organized or old ones altered (subject to their own consent) , but not reduced below 400 square miles in area. Cities of 20,000 inhabitants may be organized into separate counties. ”

“ Other important industries are those required by the growing railroad interests of the State, the manufacture of boots and shoes, and the printing and publishing of newspapers and periodicals. The table on the following page covers the eleven most important industries for the decade 1890-1900.
Forests and Forest Products. Minnesota is one of the richest States in forest resources, having in 1900 a woodland area of about 52,200 square miles, including stump-lands. The forest area extends well over the northern two-thirds of the State, excluding the Red River Valley. ”

“ In 1862 the Sioux Indians, under Little Crow, angered at the continuous inroads made upon their lands, attacked and destroyed many of the frontier settlements. Over 500 white settlers and soldiers were killed and 25,000 people were driven from their homes. ”

“ The average velocity of the wind is 8 miles per hour in the east, and almost 11 miles per hour at Crookston, which is the highest inland average velocity recorded in America. The average path of the northwest cyclones passes through the southern counties. ”

“ The formation of many large farms in that section tends to increase the average size of farms for the State, notwithstanding the division of farm holdings going on in the southern part of the State. In 1900 there were 365 farms containing each 1000 acres or more. ”