Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-06-06
BEYOND BURLINGTON.

!
After rising t Bluffs on the west of Bur-
lington, we enter again upon a prairie coun-
try interspersed with numerous groves or
openings. The soil is Of the richest and
most productive description, and for some
miles out is highly cultivated. Great atten-
ton is paid to fruit growing. There are in
the neighborhood large number of ex-
tensive nurscries-the largest of which covers
seventy-fve acrcs-besides several smaller
ones. From these FIVE hundred to six hum
dred thousand trees are annually produced
one alons budding some three hundred thous-
and. Great attention as we have before re-
marked, is paid to horticulture and fruit
growing, and in this respect Burlington is
far ahead Of Chicago, as the innumerable
quantities Of the finest boquets collected and
presented to the Chicago ladies on the recent
excursion bear eloquent testimony.
But to return to the country. A ride of
several miles into the interior gave US pref
ty good opportunity of judging of what this
part of Iowa is. And we were nearly ready
to subscribe to the remark Of Counsellor
Starr that as regards Iowa, God had almost
removed the primeval curse, that by the
sweat of the brow, &c.
There is plank road constructed west
ward. The first considerable town that is
reached is Mt. Pleasant, twenty eight miles
distant from Burlington. 1t is the county
scat Of Henry County, and contains Q popu-
lation Of 1000. The most noticeable feat
ure Of the town is the Wesleyan University,
of which the newly elected Senator Harlan is
the President. 1t is q fine large building
situated on the west side Of the town. There
is also quite an extensive Female Seminary, "a
little out on the prairie. In both these insti-
tutions there is large number Of students,
and they are both in Aourishing and pros
porous condition.
Twenty-Five miles further west we come to
Fairfield, the county seat of Jefferson county
with a population Of about eighteen hundred.
Here is branch Of the State University, oc-
cupying large brick building in the west
end of the town, on a beautiful site contain
ing twenty acres. There is Likewise Fe-
male Seminary, and the Public Library,
which though recent, contains over one thou
sand volumes.
Both Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield have pub
lie squares containing about two acres each,
around which are located the stores and 9th.
er business establishments, in which q large
trade is carried on.
In twenty-five miles more we reach Ottum-
va, the county seat of Wapello county. 1t is
situated at the head Of the present lettings
For tn, slack-water navigation on the Des
sloines River and contains population Of
something over 1000. The river has been
low this season, and at TINS point
here is large quantity of grain awaiting
Use. We heard Of one farmer alone, who
had Il, 200 bushels of corn on hand ready
Tor shipment. Here is where the railroad
rom Burlington is to strike the Des Moines,
consequently connecting this region with
Chicago.
There are some lesser towns, such as New
London l6 miles from Burligton, Libertvvllle
10, and Agency City 6S. This latter ace
is the old Indian Agency ground of Gen.
Sweet, who resides there still
Southern Iowa is well wooded--there be-
ng an abundance of timber for all practical!
purposes. 1t grows principally along the
streams. There is u great restitution of
Touring mills, and the inhabitants are often
put to much inconvenience to get -four for
heir ''daily Bread notwithstanding they are
N the midst Of granary.
The counties Of Henry, Jefferson, and Wa
ocllo, contain about 30 1000 inhabitants-b
ng nearly equal in this respect.
There is fair prospect of the railroad be-
ng completed from Burlington to the Des
lones next season. large portion Of the
grading is already done. The Board of D;-
'ectors We're in session on Wednesday and
contracts were entered into to complete tie
Dad forty miles this fall, and to the riy-
II next season. This is an important enter
rise not only to Burlington but to Chicago,
Is it will "open up" to both rich section
whose business relations are now, to great
xtent with Keokuk and st. Louis. Ali the
he produce exported and all the groceries
Merchandise and lumber imported
for the section which is within striking dis
ance OF the Desmoines-has to be transport
d in the primitive way. e. by wagons.
The navigation of the Des Moines is preca-
ious and uncertain, boats not having been
BILE to ascend for over year. The improve
nents will mend the matter some. The con-
racts we understand, have been let. The
ocks are to be two hundred feet long, being
feet longer than originally con.
emplatted by the State of Iowa, and large
nough to pass the largest class of boats usu-
lily navigating the Upper Mississippi, to be
ompleted to Fert Des Moines "a distance Of
O4 miles above the connection Of the Des
loines with the Mississippi,) on the lst Of
uly 1858; but a considerable portion Of the
york will be navigable for steamboats, and
n immense amount of water power created
t a much earlier period.
But from the want of sufficient supply Of |
7ater, during good portion Of the year,
aese locks, as large as they are will not
ender the go Moincs = "navigable streams
steamboats, cannot pass through dry locks or
1hen there is but little water in them
here was no time, after the spring freshet
ast season when a boat Of any considerable
onnage could have got up the river at oil
nth the aid even Of these improvements
md as the country becomes cultivated up
n the head waters Of the river. the volume