The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-07-10

emigranis as can he found any whore IN
the West. And, i presume, that all,
who have seen Morgan County, will a.
gree with me that il is equal if not supe'
rior to any other part of the Stnte, m all
the requisites of an agricultural country.
In, this county nature has combined
beauty nud utility more strikingly than
in any other place that have ever seen.
No where else is there n,more delightful
of prairie and Woodland
the prairie land forms the largest pro-
portion, bnt the groves are so regularly
interspersed as to afford ample supplies
of timber to all parts. The praires are
mostly high and gently rollng--io many
pllces elevations are formed, ny an al
most impercepiible ascent. from which
there is a charming view of the surroun-
ding scenery for many miles. Timber
is usually found Oh the low grounds and
along tho margin of water courses,
sometimes however the finest groves are
situated on high, unduIating land. In
many parts ofthe State the prairies are
so large and the appearance of the coun-
try so little diversified, TINT travelling
becomes extremely irksome, but in Nor
gan County the numerous groves are so
various in size and shape, aud the brooks
aud rivulets so abundant, that the trav-
eIler meets with a constant succession OF
obiec.s, agreeaby to the eye and pleas
ing to the imagination. There IS not
much grandeur or magnifcencc in the
scenery, but there is every where to be
seen all that beauty and simplicity OF
the works Of nature, that the amlable
Addison was so fond of describing. At
this season of the year all the face of the
country is covered with luxuriant ver-
dure, and hundred kinds of flowers be-
gin to scatter their sweetness to the gen.
tie breeze while the innet, the lark, and
an innumerable tribe of fea,hered song
sters swell their notes and bill the air
with music, There are, it is true many
places along the Illinois bluffs that pre-
sent sublimity of appearance very sell
dom surpassed in any part of the "Great
Valley. Large, abrupt, lofty mounds,
destitute Of tree and shrub and covered
with thick growth of tall grass, nll be-
spangled with blossoms ofevery hue, are
spread about in the most fantastic dis
order. A small share of poetic ipspira-
tion would enable a person, at little
distance off, to meta,norphose number
of those mounds into the enchanted cas-
Ties of ancient days.
In going from the river there is gen
orally timber for about a mile, aud then
prairie about three miles to the bluffs,
and from the bluffs the timber extends
back about four or five miles, to the re-
opening of the prairies. The timber
consists Of the different species of oak,
ash, walnut, soft and sugar maple, back
berry, chorry, lynn, and variety OF
others. Morgan county is abundantIy
supplied with never failing streams of
water. The Illinois river circles around
its western limits for nearly do miles
the Sangamon river bounds 1t on the
north for about twenty miles. Its prin-
cipal creeks are Indian, Mauvalseterre.
and Sandy, besides IA great number OF
other smaller streams IN all parts of the
county. Many valuable springs are
found, and well water is any where OBJ
tanned by digging from fifteen to thirty
feet. The waters the rivers and creeks
as we'll as the spring and well water, IL
clear and pure. There is no where any
lack of water for stock or domestic pur.
poses.
The soil, which is based on yellow
clay, varies from two and halfto five feel
in depth. 1t consists of rich, black
loan, similar in nearly all respects Ia
tn the soil of the far famed valleys ofthe
Miann, in State Of Ohio. It is always
loose and remarkably easy of cultivation
after the first breaking ofthe heavy sod
Some strangers have supposed the sol
to be too mellow and not sufficiently pos
sessed Of the qualities of consistency
but our farmers universally represent
that such is not The case. Its fertility rs
beyond all calculation. Wheat produces
from 20 to 40 bushels per acre Of the
finest quality. The average crop is a
bout 30 bushels. Corn produces from
40 to 80 bushels per acre--average croI
about 60 bushels. In the American bot
tom, where the soil is precisely like ours
the Frencl, Inhabitants have planted corr
on the same fields for 90 or 100 years,i Z
succession, and crops of between 90 anc
S0 bushels per acre of the best corn are
still produced. Oat, barley, hemp nne
all the products of the middle States are
grown with as much success as the farm
er could desire. The range for stock j.
Extremely good aud those who have pait
any attention to that interest have beer
amply rewarded. For beef cattle and
sheep it is thought, that no other section
of the United States can rival this. In
Il IL al ihia ..nrf 1,c 1,nr 81 IN hns haan nro,