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SETTLEMENT AND COLONIZATION IN GREAT LAKES STATES ra 
the balance payable in ten equal installments. Of the $5,000 cash, 
the settler was thus required to pay down $1,600. The company as- 
sumed that the buildings would cost the settler $1,600 more, and that 
he would need the remainder of his money, $1,800, to buy additional 
equipment and stock and pay the expenses of running his farm for 
the first year. The rate of interest was 6 per cent, payable annually, 
and in nearly every case the settler was given a deed and mortagage 
as soon as he had paid $10 per acre. The methods employed, there- 
fore, resemble those of the regular colonization companies in many 
respects. Naturally the land had to be sold at prices considerably 
higher than cut-over land prices, hence only settlers of considerable 
means could buy. 
A RAILWAY COMPANY REQUIRING PURCHASERS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS 
One of the largest landholders in the Lakes States was a railway 
company which was not attempting colonization but which had been 
engaged in a rather active campaign to dispose of its landholdings 
to farmers. Naturally, as a carrier, the company was concerned not 
merely with the sale of its land but also with establishing settlers 
who would contribute to increased traffic. It had made no attempt, 
however, to provide “ ready-made” farms, or to sell the land in 
compact blocks. It was offering its land for sale at various prices, 
letting the purchaser buy wherever he wished. No attempt was 
made to guide the purchaser in the selection of his land, but he must 
always make an inspection. 
The most characteristic feature of the company’s policy was that 
it required purchasers to settle on the land within a reasonable time 
after purchase, to clear about 2 acres per year for each 40 acres pur- 
chased and to build a substantial dwelling house within two years 
after purchase. These requirements were made a part of the con- 
tract, and were “in consideration of the fact that the company was 
selling its lands at prices somewhat lower than were generally being 
charged for lands of similar quality.” Just what measures the com- 
pany took to enforce. its requirements of improvements was not clear. 
They could, of course, close out the contract. 
The company was not carrying on an aggressive selling campaign, 
but advertised widely and depended on reasonable prices, easy credit 
terms, and the quality of the land to effect sales. The sales were 
made by local real estate agents throughout the territory who were 
commissioned by the company to dispose of its lands. These agents 
were not authorized to sign contracts for the company. 
LUMBER COMPANIES SELLING LAND WITHOUT ASSUMING MUCH RESPONSIBILITY 
FOR SETTLERS 
A considerable number of lumber companies were engaged in sell- 
ing land without any particular concern as to its settlement. _ In 
some cases no active selling campaign was being carried on, the firm 
merely selling to such prospects as appeared of their own accord. 
Sometimes most of the sales were in comparatively large blocks to 
dealers or speculators, but in other cases to prospective settlers. It 
is fair to state that there were some large lumber companies having 
land of unusually low quality who frankly recognized that their 
holdings were not adapted to settlement and were unwilling to en- 
