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radius of 100 miles, taking Wallace as a center. All this great area lies in what has 
been known as the Great American Desert. It is not desert, hut the very richest of 
soil, and possesses the finest climate in America. As yet it is undeveloped. Only one 
thing is surely known of it : that is, it is a fine stock country. 
Nearly one-fourth of all this land (not including the railroad grant) has been taken 
up under the timber-culture act. One-half of this portion will be ready for planting 
by the spring of 1888, the other half by the spring following. Nearly all of the re- 
mainder has been taken up under the other acts of Congress governing the public 
domain. There is but little of it left to be taken. These homesteaders know but 
little of what the country will produce. A farm of the character contemplated would 
greatly aid them. 
