The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-02-14
Paradise 81 the Far West-Rock River
Country or Illinois


have had much pleasure finding that very
brief communication in the columns of the Tribune
q inc Sist nut, Ut, regarding favored section Of
tentlon. especially of persons Of means, some yerv
rich, several OF whom have decided to visit Crock
River country" the coming summer, with view
70 verifying the description of that nearly perfect
region, ana investing IN its SOIL if only moieiy Of
me inducements alleged are found. am sure that
the parties and all others of taste for beautiful see
aery, richness OF soil and productions, variety OF
surface, and perfection Of climate in all respects,
more especially in brightness, delicious temporal
ture, and healthiness beyond any other in the Unit
ed States, and perhaps in the world. Yes; such
uded to, find the writer has not teld the halt Of
what might in truth be said OF its many capabilities
and attractions.
Twill premise that this division of Illinois had
few in the then village of Chicago. But at present
It contains nearly half the population Of the State,
which. as will be seen below, amounts to about
76O, 900.
One thirty-sixth of each township. conse.
quently one thrty-sixth Of all the lands in
the State belong to the school fund.-, and there are
now accumulated, proceeds of lands sold, over
100000 the interest on which, at six Ger cent. "a
appropriated for promoting education. MANY wears
will not clapee ere their systems Of schools will
parale with that Of New York in proportion to the
number of inhabitants.
Lands are not liable to taxation until they have
been sold, OF entered five years, and an express
provision Is made in the constitution that real estate
and other rights az to property, suits at law, &c.
may pc held ana enjoyed by aliens, as by citizens
Below add statement OF the population and
the agricultural productions of Illinois, and in the
mean time would remark that her natural resour-
ces, though developed to very limited extent,
will be found OF value equal at least TO apy other
Territories or States in the Union. The lead minds
are extensive and rich. At present they are worked
TO a very limited extent, yet over IL 900 900 lbs
Of lead were sent to market from them last year
Tho nIo anti fu ut 0naI lC rrrr~1a
stated in work by an English geologist. who
made researches over the west,) all there Il in
England and Wales. 1t lies in beds of fifty fee,
earth, and extending in fields Of thirty, fty. and
eighty miles. These minerals, however excellent
and vast 10 extent are but of limited comparative
s Su1 1a wS s soc tor F5.1
er, deeper. or more inexhaustible; and for
many years to come the cultivators will have
40 occasion to be at any expense or labor
tor msnurlng their land, and when change is re.
CURED. it is only necessary to use the sub-soiI
plough. and run the burrows few inches deeper
than formerly.
There is no part of the United States more favor.
tobacco, hemp, and madden; also for fruits gene
rally, the mulbury tree, and for silk. Hemp Yields
much more returns than in Kentucky, and quality
1t least asgood-I think better. Tobacco Yields Il
berally, and OF quality equal to that Of Missouri
Thus tar madden has been produced to very limi-
ted extent, but the quality is excellent and auanti-
ty per acre very large The yield Of grains is large,
md OF the various sorts immense. The wheat
brings In the New York market four to seven cents
more per bushel than that from other sections Of the
State. The meadows for the prairie and tame
grasses are not surpassed, and the blue grass Of
Kentucky thrives well, and is admirable for winter
cropping, keeping green through the winter. For
example. will state that farm of say FIVE hum
dren acres, taken IN a state Of nature, in April
the following August or September, and crop be
harvested the next summer, say thirty-two to
thirty-six bushels per acre. This, with fencing.
will cost only about $5l per acre, of which the
breaking up and fencing costs about SO per acre
and those once done need not be repeated tor many
years; other culture In proportion Sheep may be
bought in Ohio at prices so thaS delivered on your
farm in "Rock River Country" they will stand in
about $l3 Tor ewes two and three years old. Their
feeces will and do sell the spot at over one dol
lar EACH and their lambs when six months old. and
improved as they should be by good bucks, will
sell at VI 90 each: The entire cost of keeping
the animals year is less than forty cents per head
and there is no disease among them in those high
rolling prairies The reader may estimate the re-
suit, and how long 1t will take to get flock in ag
yregation OF TO- 900, commencing with say l,5OO
ewes, and adequate bucks. The wcthers tor nut
ION will brlag 81 rs each.
will say nothing of other stock, except that the
cost of keeping It is in proportion to Sheppard
when the blue grass springs, Gas it will the second
year after sowing0 sheep may be kept through the
year At twenty-five cents per head, every expense
try alluded to, there is an institution for the edu-
cation Of youth, that will tavorably compare with
any in the State OF New York. At present there
are over three hundred pupils. The modern lam
s9ages, with the classics form part of the course
OF studies.
:, A plank road j. about being laid down from
Rock River to Chicago.
There is abundance of water power, adequate to
driving all the machinery in England, which at
very small expense may be brought to bear on any
description Of mills. At present there is about
sufficient number OF f1suring and saving mills
In operaton-but as the population increases,
many more will be required within one to five
years. The writer would be glad to point out, to
parties desirous OF undertaking to establish mills
atcd in all respects. The Mormon charter has
been cancelled by the Legislature, in session,
and that class OF people must now merge, as do
other sects, into the mass Of course, no further
troubles are likely to arise from their absurdites
Chicago, the commercial capital OF Illinois, is
fast increasing in population and trade. In 1874
there we're built in that city over five hundred
houses, and they are all rented, at rates giving
about ID per cent. 10 20 per cent annually on the
outlay. medical college is established there,
aNi course OF lectures are now being delivered;
bades, there are two institutions, rather extern
slve, for education, and many schools
Are there not many individuals and families in
this eastern part OF the United states who would
greatly improve their incomes and happiness by
going into Northern Illinois, buying a farm and
stocking II with sheep, &c, besides owning land
as much so as in Western New York twenty seDS TO
forty years since. Land that may now be bought
at from Sll TO 81 per acre, will (rtasonns from
the movement in other States) be worth, five, ten
or fifteen years hence, ten, twenty and forty
dollars, or more. per acre Why not The land
in Illinois is far, far richer than ever was found
Ia New York, Pennsylvania, &c.--and may be
put under cultivation the very season II 10
ooughi-no heavy dense timber TO clear away,
but the bosom Of the country is at once ready
Tor the plough. Are there not many who have come
property, but not enough TO yield an income ade-
quate to maintaining the race OF feverieh, foolish
rivalry In ostentaiious display Of exravssant es,a
bshments, and the traia OF attempts 10 Guido each
other, who might escape from modification, and
secure conte ntment, with income equal 10 their
wants, and. In the end, leave rich inheritance to
their heirs
And are there not young men who have property.
more or less in amount, that Is disappearing under
their expenditures here; will not they, or some Of
them, gather what may remain, and seek, else.