FREE GRANTS OF LAND IN THE UNITED , STATES.- [To THE
mnaou OP THE "EIPBOTATOB.."] Slit,—Referring to the remark is the Spectator of April 14th, as to the United States being the only country where free grants of land can be had, allow me to say that the only land now to be had is in the arid regions, whieh is- useless for cultivation. The Washington Land Office is practically with- out anything to do beyond issuing grants for lanai containing minerals, and most of the clerks are transferred to other departments. The rush on to the Cherokee strip, September 16th, 1893, indicates the scarcity of unoccupied) fertile land. Two hundred and fifty thousand persons contended for an area amounting to twenty-five acres each, and most of it very wretched land, half of it being in a semi-arid region. Great strain exists in the United States, and much trouble probably- lies ahead. The reduction of the wheat area of 16 per cent.. since 1884, and the increase of the area under grass and oats, indicate that the wheat-exporting power of the Unite& States- is declining or is about to decline, a fact that would long beforethis date have been seen and felt, had it not been for- the extraordinary crop of 1891, which: was fully 60, per cent..
over an average one.—I am, Sir, &c.„ Moto.
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