THE BONANZA FARMS. 41 



gether neglected, and vegetable gardens and poultry 

 were scarce. 



I was informed that the large farmers on the road 

 obtained special rates for their transportation, and 

 that those rates were fifty per cent, below the rates 

 charged to the small farmers ; and that their farming 

 implements were obtained at thirty-three and one- 

 third per cent, discount from published prices, which 

 the small formers were compelled to pay. 



The buildings of some of the small farmers who 

 have been there located for some four or five years, or 

 more, had a quite comfortable appearance ; but the 

 new settlers were generally without a sign of comfort. 

 So far as I could learn, in conversation with them and 

 upon inquiry, there was the same distress that I had 

 found in Kansas and other places. In speaking of 

 this matter with the superintendent of the Kock 

 County farm, he told me of an incident in his farm 

 business that illustrated their poverty. Having occa- 

 sion to find board for some of his men who were at 

 work at a distance too far from either station to be 

 there boarded, he made application to one of the small 

 farmers in the neighborhood, who had a comfortable 

 appearance, to board the men. Yes, he would be glad 

 to do it ; but before he took them he must get some 

 wood, as he had none ; he had not more than enough 

 flour for one day, nor had he groceries, and the store- 

 keepers would not give him credit. The superinten- 

 dent then applied to another farmer who had wood, 

 and flour enough to last for a few days, but neither 

 coffee, tea, sugar, lard, nor other groceries, and the 

 traders also refused to credit him. But the superiu- 



