FARM ORGANIZATION IN SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA 5 
duction are the result of changes in economic conditions which affect 
the profitableness of different enterprises. Such changes may he 
only temporary or they may be of a more permanent nature. A 
proper appraisal of the significance of these changes as they occur, or 
in advance of their occurrence, is essential if the right adjustments 
are to be made. Too often changes from one enterprise to another 
are made just when the relative advantage of these enterprises is 
beginning to be reversed. 
A brief historical study of this area shows how these adjustments 
have led to the present type of farming and emphasizes the importance 
of quickly making such adjustments as will permit a more profitable 
utilization of the factors of agricultural production. 
SETTLEMENT AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT 
The agricultural development of Cottonwood and Jackson 
Counties, Minn., is typical of a large area at the northern limit of the 
Corn Belt bordering closely the region of scanty rainfall. In general 
the trend has been for wheat to displace grazing on the open prairie, 
and later for corn, oats, livestock, and a more diversified type of 
farming to replace wheat. The development of this part of the State 
took place about two decades later than the development of south- 
eastern Minnesota. 2 
Cottonwood County was created in 1857 but was not organized until 
1870. One settler was found in 1853 by the surveyors. Two fami- 
lies were living in the county in 1860. These settlers were of foreign 
birth but came directly from neighboring States. All who settled 
in the county prior to 1862 were driven out or killed during the Sioux 
outbreak of that year. By 1870 there were 535 inhabitants in the 
county. At this time there were 6,377 acres of land in 143 farms, 
but only 782 acres of improved land (Table 2). Many of these early 
inhabitants came directly from Norway, Sweden, and other European 
countries. Others came from adjoining States, particularly Wiscon- 
sin and Iowa. Later a colony of Mennonites came to the eastern 
part of the county. Many of these or their descendants are still 
farming in the county. 
Table 2. — Population, number of farms, land in farms, and value of land, Cotton- 
wood County, Minn., 1860-1920 
Year 
Farms 
Total 
land in 
farms 
Average 
per farm 
Total 
farm land 
improved 
Value of 
land and 
buildings 
per acre 
Popula- 
tion 
1860 
Number 
2 
143 
1,082 
1,142 
1,568 
1, 580 
1,801 
Acres 
260 
6,377 
171,413 
208, 078 
370, 715 
371, 496 
3S0, 043 
Acres 
130 
45 
158 
182 
236 
235 
211 
Per cent 
23 
12.3 
40.6 
59.8 
92.2 
91.2 
90.7 
Dollars 
10.00 
6.54 
14.86 
13.49 
26.33 
50. 11 
153.11 
Number 
12 
535 
5, 533 
7,412 
12,069 
12, 651 
14,570 
1870 
1880 
1890 
1900 
1910 
1920 
2 The statistical study of the history of this region is confined to Cottonwood County. The development 
in Jackson County was not different in any important respect. 
The period of most rapid development in Cottonwood County was 
from 1870 to 1900. The railroad reached the county in the summer 
