90 RAILWAY LANDS. 



with a stock of horses and implements, and the whole of his 

 original capital in his pocket. He may continue to crop his 

 farm with Indian corn, from which he will reap very large re- 

 turns on his capital. 



The foregoing example has reference to a capitalist pur- 

 chaser, not a working farmer. The 100 acres may be multi- 

 plied by any number for which there is adequate capital, and 

 the results ought to be the same in proportion. There appears 

 to be thus a very ample surplus in the way of annual return, 

 whilst the value of land itself will probably treble within ten 

 years from the mere growth of population. 



But a working farmer will not only receive the same an- 

 nual dividend from his capital, but will also take to himself the 

 full rate of wages which is allowed for hired labour in this es- 

 timate. And he may, moreover, avail himself of the credit 

 given by the Illinois Central Eailway Company to the purcha- 

 sers of their lands. 



That Company have still 1,300,000 acres of land to sell. It 

 is situated along their line of railway, chiefly within five miles 

 on either side, and affords every variety of soil, climate, and 

 situation to be found in the State of Illinois. They offer their 

 lands at prices which, considering situation, quality, and terms 

 of payment, are the cheapest I met with in America. Every 

 facility for the transport of produce to market is at the com- 

 mand of a settler on their lands. At every nine or ten miles 

 there is a station, with an electric telegraph, where the latest 

 news of the markets may be learned ; while there is usually a* 

 store at the station for the sale of produce, and the purchase of 

 necessaries. Their terms of payment for the land are either 

 cash with a proportional discount in the price, or a long credit 

 with a low rate of interest. So confident do they feel in the in- 

 creasing value of their land, that they readily leave the entire 

 price of it as a mortgage to be repaid by annual instalments 



