y  |   167-1/2
          w        |   "   White Bear to Stillwater          |    13
          x        |   "   Winona to western State line      |   288-1/2
          y        |   "   Junction to Mankato               |     3-3/4
                                                             +----------
                                                             |  1978

Since the publication of the report of the railroad commissioner as
given above, showing 1978 miles of railroads in Minnesota; there have
been 216 miles built in 1877, and 350 miles in 1878--total, 2544 miles
now operated in the State. In 1862, we had but ten miles of railroad in
Minnesota; in 1878, sixteen years afterwards, two thousand five hundred
and forty-four miles.

This past year, the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad has extended its line to
the British Possessions in Manitoba, connecting with a road there and
giving us direct railroad communication with the vast country lying
north of us; while the Southern Minnesota, the Hastings & Dakota, the
St. Cloud branch of the St. Paul & Pacific, are extending their lines,
like arteries, through the heart of the State. In much less than ten
years, Minnesota will have the most perfect railroad system on this
continent.


                           POPULATION.
                                                        Number.
  Population in 1870                                   439,706
  Population in 1875                                   597,407
  Population in 1877                                   750,000


HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION LAW.

We are proud of the Homestead Law of Minnesota. The State says to its
citizen: you may be unfortunate, even culpably improvident, nevertheless
you and your family shall not be left homeless or without means to
enable you to retrieve past misfortunes or faults.

The law reads--

     "That a homestead consisting of any quantity of land not exceeding
     eighty acres, and the dwelling house thereon and its appurtenances,
     to be selected by the owner thereof, and not inc