Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-12-05

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the support Of a college. Salt is made
near Shawneetown in great abundance.
which now sells for 81 IS per bushel.-
Twelve miles south of Us is salt lick,
at which much salt is made. know Of
no country where a plantation can be,
commenced and managed with greater
/ facility than on these prairies; nor
where the agriculturist is more richly
rewarded for his labor. Not foot Of
land needs to be cleared. In first break
ing up our prairies, three yoke of stout
oxen, or four stout horses are needed
We plough once and plant our corn with
axes struck through the sod, and with no
other culture, obtain from 90 to 40
bushels of good corn per acre, which
makes much better bread than the
northern corn. A first crop Off wheat is
raised by ploughing the prairie, say in
May, or June, and in the latter part Of
September following, cast on the seed
and harrow it in, passing lengthwise of
the burrows, or, by sowing the seed
among the standing corn, and plough it
in with che stout horse, and crop is OBJ
tanned from 90 to 40 or SO bushels per
acre. The subsequent crops of corn
and wheat, are much more abundant
This part of the state is settling very
fast Very many have come on since
last fall. Though we have had severe
drought this season, the wheat Harvest
has come in pretty well. Corn, alter
FIRST crop, grows very high have seen
much already from 10 to l6 feet high,
and this is still in rapid growth. Many
ears are set too high for me 10 reach
them and hang my hat on them. | adj
wise ray northern friends, who wish to
improve their worldly interests, to come
on with their families and good northern
habits think they will not be disap-
pointed As to health, those who build
in the timhers, too near the bottom lands
on the creeks, are subject to the fever
and ague; but those who build on the
edge Of the open prair;es, arc generally
blessed with health. 1t is found that the
people who have come from the north
and settled in this state, do generally en-
10y better health than those do who have
come from the south. | do not find the
heat in this country much different from
what it is with you. We have had some
very hot days. Bat the breezes which
daily sweep across the prairies are very
refreshing.
In commercial view, am sanguine
in the belief. that the steam boat naviga
ton of the Mississippi, which is already
very considerable, will progress in pro-
portion to the increase Of population in
these trans-a!legany states, and continue
to give US good market at New-Or-
leans. Newly ork, &c. With the moral
state of society in Illinois, l am agree
ably disappointed. have already found
many very fine people, and morals are
improving. Missionary labors are much
desired and greatly needed. | am stated
" supplying a congregation at Shoal
Creek, where about three years ago,
there was not white person lived, where
now there is a Presbyterian church OF
about 80 communicates. AS yet we
meet and worship under the shade of
trees in the woods; and / hope enjoy
the presence Of Him that dwelt in the
bush. This congregation are expecting
soon to build meeting house for wor-
ship.
l have guarded in this letter, against
exaggeration, and stated, as far as my
knowledge ofthis country extends, such
things as will bear examination.
Yours with esteem.
JESSE TOWNSEND.