Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-01-12

ry, where good stone could not be OBJ.
tanned within, at most. two or three
miles. Almost all the channels and
streams were bounded at least on one
side with banks or bluffs Of stone. and
the high points Of land were filed
with Ii.
But, on the other hand, there arc
some material objections 10 the coun-
try. The first and important one Is
the great scarcity Of timber. Except
on the large water courses, Il exists In
narrow strips and small, scattering
groves. and these generally low and
scrubby. There might have been a
supply at least for many years. had
not the Indians been foreseeing enough
TO reserve nearly all the best timbered
lands for themselves. Besides this,
they have destroyed great deal
Of valuable timber. by barking the
trees for their huts. We saw forests OF
Walnut and Bur.oak that were dcs-
troyed In this way. II is fact, how
ever, that has been tested in prairie
countries. that farms really do not
need near as much timber to keep
them up as those accustomed 10 wood.
en- countries would suppose; and the
free access Of the sun and wind keep
ing them dry. renders them much
more durable. The difficulty Of OBJ
tanning timber might be somewhat OBJ
Waited for the present. by several
neighbors uniting TO keep up only one
fence around their farms, until they
could ditch or hedge. or where stone
Is plenty. build stone wall.
There is another fact Of importance.
By breaking up the sod anywhere
through the Territory, and keeping
the ERE out Of IL. Il viii soon be filed
with cotton-w woods. which in six or
eight years, will be ft for use rs tim
Der. II is said that sixteen acres
would be amply sufficient TO fence a
quarter section Of land, and afterwards
by It's sprouting again. TO keep fam
lily pretty well supplied with fuel
The suggestion Of Greedy Is doubtless
a good one. Some eight or ten acres
OF peach trees, closely set together.
will. in few years. besides the profit
from handsome yield Of fruit. fun.
ish q pretty good supply Of fuel for a
family. II Is Of quick growth, and
after the tree Is cut, the roots will
sprout again. and soon be ready for
another cutting. Both Of these plans,
il Is said. are being tried successfully
in in Illinois and Missouri. The abun-
dance Of coal will also make up great
ly for this want Of frewood.
Another difficulty arises from the
scarcity Of water. Among the high
bluffs OF the Missouri, and in several
places along the Santa Fe road, we
passed some fine. bold springs, and
some lively little rills; but with these
exception, though throughout our
whole journey we crossed great num-
Der Of channels, there were but few
running streams, and scarcely one sus-
ceptible Of being used 10 drive machin-
cry. This was doubtless owing in
part TO the drouth that had prevailed
there during many months. yet water
is not plentiful, and this want san only
be, in some measure, remodied by cis-
terms and artificial pools.
Another difficulty arises from its
geographical position. II is SO far
from those great eastern outlets for
surplus produce. The Missouri is
navigable during the entire year, ex-
cept when blocked up with ice: the
Kansas half the year, and many towns
are springing up along these streams.
When tho St. Joseph and Hannibal
railroad is completed. and they are
now working on il. a direct railroad
communication will then be had with
the lakes by way Of Springfield, or
with the eastern cities. by way Of In
dianapolis. Yet the produce for the
eastern market must find its way eth
or by the circuitous rout by the gulf or
by vast overland carriage.
With regard to claims, almost all
good ones for many miles back are al
ready taken, and expectations are rails
ed SO high that you can scarcely pur-
chase a good claim now, for what the
land itself will probably be considered
worth in FIVE years hence.
On the whole, should we hazard
giving advice, we would say to all
those comfortably situated here, you
would do well to remain at home
This opinion was expressed by an in
telligent missionary. You viii almost
certainly be somewhat disappointed.
Perhaps not one out Of ten realizes
his anticipations. Those settling there
must expect to encounter many priva-
tons and hardships, and unless they
have q considerable amount of capit-
al, they must be content with very
small beginning. Yet am free TO
say could see it my duty to leave my
present charge, that would certainly
be the place Of my destination.
But purposing TO enter more into
detail in my next letter, / subscribe
myself
Yours, with much esteem.