Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-11-09
OUR TOWN AND COUNTRY.
(COntinued from No. "a

WIN regard TO the country round Du Buque,
concerning which, you desire information, assure
you tnat twill surpass your expectations. Per-
maps cannot do better than apply to it the Ian
suage OF Lieut. LEA, in his notes OH Wisconsin,
and what was designed by him as a description OF
the whole territory is equally applicable to this part
| of it. r.
"lhe SOIL Is generally about two feet deep, and
Is composed OF clay, sand, and vegetable mould.
INtcl OF 1t is too tenacious of water for the most
convenient production of such grains as are planted
III the spring. 1t is of dark brown color near the
surface, ana gradually becomes lighter and lighter
III descending, till il imperce ptbly passes into
yellowish clay, which, in turn, is based upon a
blue mari, containing pebbles, aud which always
affords good water when penetrated This latter
stratum is found from fsen 10 thirty feet below the
surface in the upland praries so that it is only ne
cessary to sink well to that depth to obtain ex-
ceneht wafer Wherever 1t may be wanted. This
is the general character of the soil of the higher
| res.
In the bottom lands along the rivers, the soil is
more sandy, and is little affected by excess We rains.
except such portions as liable to b. overaowed
The low grounds are peculiarly adapted to the
growth OF Indian corn, and the elevated lands to
| the growth ofsmall grain; though the yellow maize
OF the north eeds markably well on the cold
| est soils of our dry prairies.n
ne general appearance ofthe country is one of
great beauty. 1t may be represented as one grand
rolling prairie, along one side of which flows the
mightiest river in the world, and through which nu-
| merous navigable streams pursue their devious way
rds the ocean, In every part ofthis whole die
trict, beautiful rivers and creeks are be found.
whose transparent waters are perpetually renewed
by the springs from which they flow. Many ofthese
streams are connected with lakes; and hence their
supply of water is remarkably Uniform throughout
tho seasons All these rivers, creeks, and lakes,
are skrted by woods, often several miles in width,
imais that may there take refuge from the contgu
GUS pfalres. These woods also afford the timber
necessary for building houses, fences, and boats
lno probably three-fourths of the district is with
out trees, yet SO conveniently and admirably are
'ns water and the woods distributed throughout, that
nature appears to have made an effort to arrange
mem III the most desirable manner possible. Where
mere IS no water, isolated groves are frequently
louno to break the monotony of the prarie or to a
ora 'ae necessary timber for the enclosure of the
.afmer. No part of the district is probably more
.nah tnree miles from good timber: and hence it is
..a!ceiy any where necessary TO build beyond the
oIthe woods 70 be convenient to farming lands
'o .aost distant from them, as the trouble of hau-
's e simoer necessary for farming purposes, dis
81 one, two or three miles, is triHing. Taking
is district all in ALL for convenience Of navigation
wafer, uel, and timber; for richness of soil; for
oeauty OF appearance; and for pleasantness of eli
mate' surpasses any portion Of the United States
with which am acquainted.
LOUD present to the mind of the reader that view
q TINS country that il now fore my eyes, he would
not aesm my assertion Snfounded. He would soc
the broad Missieippi with ia ten thousaud isands