New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-02
The Great West-soiI, Climate, Fencing, I'm.
proyements, &c.

Correspondence OF The Tribune.
SALEM. lows, Wednesday, June - 1850.
DEAR FRIEND GREELEY: Although have no
assurance Of the probable acceptance Of my
scrawls, it good to me to send another, hop
ing that it will aid some little in some way in 70.
lievipg human suffering.
An important consideration relating to emf
grants is the matter Of health. The country
through which have passed is considered healthy
by those who live there, but foreigners are more
liable to sickness than those who are born in tire
country Still, my opinion s, that they, could
they be induced to take a correct physiological
course, could avoid pretty much all the sickness of
the country. The land is mostly high and rolling
occasional "sloUgbs" but generally dry and of
the most fertile quality. We commenced boring
the soil In different places as we passed over IT, to
ascertain the quality of the subsoil, &c. On the
eastern part of Grand Prairie, the soil is a rich
vegetable deposit, mingled with slight quantity
Of sand, rendering it very warm and light. The
subsoil is of a stiff yellow clay, generally feet
under the surface.
As we went west, nearer the middle OF the
State. the soil was much the same, the only varia.
ton being greater or less portion ofsand. The clay
in this portion contains little more sand, which
renders the land dryer by permitting the water to
pass through it.
After we crossed the Illinois River the land was
more rolling or broken, sometimes cut into deep
rsypes. and covered for 20 miles Westward with
hale bushes. This is military land and there is
unch difficulty in getting titles, &c. which has kept
the country back unaccOuntably. The corn. wheat
and oats through this section were more flourish
ire than any we had passed. There Is less sand
in the soil, and more vegetable deposits IN the
subsoil there is also less sand, and in general it lies
nearer the surface-say, from to Is inches. The
water all through is hard, but cold aud clear where
ever wells are dug Those who get water from
the "sloughs,' or by sinking a well few feet
deep. into which the slough water is drained, i'm
meoiately have the ague, while those who dig
their wells on the highest elevation, get good clear
water and almost as invariably escape; and should
they observe other physiological duties food,
cleanliness and ould their houses high up from the
ground, have no doubt but the prairie country
would be the most healthy country in the world as
it is the most fertile
In the vicinity Of the Peoria they are building
fences with sod and It seems to bid fair 10 be OF
great service. The ordinary mode Of digging with
the spade, by cutting up the sod into small par
cells prevents its solldlZIbg and becoming strong.
deep and eighteen inches wide, lays it along on
the fence without turning it over or breaking il.
Three strips are laid the bottom then on these
two side and side, up to five, six or eight feet
high; then one for the top binder.
By sowing blue grass seed on this it soon be-
comes solid and when designed To enclose stock,
by topping it off with stake and rider, it makes
a fence that wild buffalo cannot Jump. T~omen
with FIVE or six yoke Of oxen make from so 70 100
rods per diem The cost to the farmer is 25 cents
rod.
1t is admitted by all that it Island eight years
land see no reason why it should not and even
longer, and by that time the Dosage Orangec be
reared in the channel whence the turf is taken. aud
thus permanent fence is secured. The following
Counties comprise the Military District mainly
Adams. Brown, Bureau, Fulton, Hancock, Henry,
Kpox. McDonOugh, Mercer, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler
and Warren.
Here is a great place for those who come single
and want labor. A hundred thousand men could
find employ ment within a few days travel Of the
illinois and Mississippi But il j. not the place Tor
those to come who desig IN to purchase OF u make
permane Mt settlement
Suppose 500 OOO men were directed into the Wa
bash Valley and fom that on To the center portion
of Grand Prairie. In few years, should they be