Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-11-01
ORrGox CRY,
April l. 1915.

| Dear Sir:--It is now two years since
left Iowa; but have at last reached the
promised land, and am doing well-never
was in better health in all my life-and as
for my spirits, they are fourth proof, / do
assure you. like the country very much.
The prairies lie principally in the valleys,
and, though the country is somewhat bro
ken, yet great deal Of it can be cultivated
to good advantage. The wood land is not
hard to clear, and the soil is rich and good.
Our timber is Of the best kind for common
use. II consists Of ash, oak, red and white
cedar, soft maple, dog wood, yew, hemlock,
spruce, pine, red, white, and yellow fir,
Balm of Gilead, and hazel. Our cedar
grows larger and will make better shingles
than any white pine the States can pro-
duce; while our spruce pine is the largest
and best timber we have. Our Balm Of
Gilead grows on the Islands in the Column
bia river, and stands as thick. and is as
heavy as the cotton wood on the banks of
1.-THE Mississippi, and we use our hazels for
fhocp-poles and withs. Il is as tough as
hickory. As for our other productions,
we can beat the universe in all kinds of
grains and vegetables excepting corn, which
yields us bat forty or fifty bushels to the
acre. But if might be allowed to speak
tof wheat as I would Of sseven up," |
should say that we could give any State in
the Union three in the game and vet be
sure of coming off victors; for, if wheat is
a trump card, we hold in our hands high,
low, jack and the game. Anaverage crop
OF wheat is from thirty to sixty bushels to
the acre; and the average weight Of il is
sixty-seven lbs. to the bushsl. Our far
mers prefer 10 sell BY weight-but our
merchants will buy only BY MEASURE
Wheat is now selling AZ 81 per bushel.-
We get two crops Of oats from one sowing;
and the second crop is the best.
Labor is worth $3.50 per day. A good
yoke Of cattle is worth from 800 10 $3.50.
Cows are selling at from $40 to So
Horses command ready sale. A good
American mare will fetch 5000 quick sale.
Our currency consists Of wheat and store
pay. We have but little or no gold and
silver in the country; but we have large
supply OF surplus grain enough to feed
all Iowa for three years to come. A yes
sci sailedfrom this place last week for the
Sandwich Islands, loaded with flour. We
supply the Sandwich Islands and the Rus
sian Possessions with all the flour they Get,
but this is done through the Hudson Bay
Company, who, like regular bred Berk-
shire, are not contented with their part of
the swill, but must get right into the trough.
But if Uncle Sam will lend us helping
hand, It will be root hog or die;' and doubt
not but they would soon be cut out Of the
trough. Should any Of our friends con-
clude to come to this country, l would ad-
wise them to start early, with a light but
. strong wagon, and not less than six yoke
of steers, aged from three to five years.
Take no unnecessary baggage, for il is ru-
nous to the wagon, and death to the cattle.
BE sure and have plenty of provisions
not less than $50 lbs. Of flour to person.
The road is good-mnch better than ex-
pected to find it. You will find the fol-
lowing scale of distances not far from cor
rect
FROM Mrr.gs.
Independence to Fort Laramie, $50
Fort Laramie to Bridges Fl, $50
4 ~