The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-02-01
Few Inquiries from a southern
Friend.

Agentlemsn writes us from Macon, Geor.
gia, making several inquiries concerning the
soil and climate in this region. Having left
New England in his youth and spent long
period in the South, engaged in rural avoca-
tions, be comes to the conclusion that ssto
farm satisfactorily in this latitude, and with
negroes, is almost impracticable,. and in
company with some OF his neighbors he is
looking to the great West as field of enter.
prise and promise therefore the inquiries
which he propounds. For the benefit Of 9th.
ers who might desire the same information,
and that he may have copies to present to
his friends, We reply to his inquiries in thi.
public manner, instead of doing SO by private
communication. He asks:
/. How does the climate (winter and sum
mer) OF Iowa compare with that of Massa.
chusetts Hampshire county, for inssancep
2. How is lite health
). For what can improved lands in the vi.
cini'y Of keokuk be purchased, per acrep
4. Are the lands in your section subject to
foundations?
B. What is the character Of society
&. How does the climate affect consump-
tives, or those predisposed to that disease ?
I. What is the character Of the soil? ls
it rich and easily titled?
To which we reply
/. The winters are much more mild and
open. We have very little snow--not more
than SIX weeks sleiehing in the last five win
tiers. We have some weather as cold as in
the region alluded TO, but it is briefer in du.
ration. We do not often have more than
three or four very cold days 10 succession
The Mississippi, at this point, was not entirely
closed, last season, and boats from below
have arrived here almost every day this win
ter, so far. We speak from personal expe-
rience when We say that winter weather is
far more agreeable here than in Hampshire
county, Massachusetts,. The summers are
hardly warmer than there, at the highest heat,
but they are of much longer duration. The
moderate season is at least six weeks, and
We think full eight weeks longer. Corn
planted on the let of July, last summer, fully
ripened before the frosts, and our corn is of
the "dent" variety, which requires many
weeks more than the New England corn.
Z. There IL, probably, not healthier State
in the Union than Iowa. The last census
tables make such report, which is fully cor
roborssed by our own experience and obser-
vasions, and the testimony Of physicians.
.. This 10 difficult question TO answer.-
II depends altogether upon ne nature of the
improvements. But perhaps our friend can
get better idea Of matters ID that regard
when we tell him the price Of snimproved
land, and what necessary improvements hsre
consist in. As good unimproved land q the
sun shines on, Of mingled prairie and timber.
can be procured At from 81 10 s25 per acre,
The only necessary improvements consist in
fencing, breaking and building, a. it 10 not
necessary to clear the land OF timber. Land
well fenced and broken, on which there ha,
been laid out but small expense for building
can be procured at from SIS to $50. For
those with good buildings, one must nav an
advance in proportion to their expense.
Z. Our lands are not subject to inundation.
D. One can have any society he chooses
The range is as wide as any where, but better
society is found no where. The tone OF NOR
ais 10 high. Churches abound, of every de.
nomination, and are we'll sustained. The
cultivated and refined are rs numerous as in
almost any community.
For consumptives, q medical friend at
our elbow authorizes US to say that the eli
mate is far better than in Kentucky, Tonnes
see or Mississippi; Of Georgia he knows lit.
tie. II 10 q remarkable occurrence for case
OF genuine ''phthisis pulmonalis'' to origi.
nate here, and it Is good region for those
to emgrate to who are affected BY that dis
ease, or predisposed to it.
I. The soil generally consists of black veg
etable mould, deep and rich as any regior
can boast Of. clay sub soil underlies much
OF II, bus!n some neighborhoods rich sand,
loan prevails, which, We believe, is consid
cred as the most excellent Of corn lands. L
sall easily titled
In addition, we may say, that an extensiy,
Kentucky farmer who has spent several seas
ons here, informs us that stock is kept her
with more case and less expense than in Ken
lucky. And as our friend says be awou!,
prefer pleasant location upon the banks O
some STREAM We would inform him that ia
opportunities Of securing such are abundant
and il In the wide world he could find NOR
chArming and eligible locations than he vii
Ind - our neighborhood among the nook
and tarns Of the Mississippi or up the vale
Of the De- Aoines, it mus, be in some quar-
ter that " hare never explored. Smalle
streams entering into these large ones ar
abundant.
TThe papers report - items Of Wash
ington gossip, thst our Bachelor Presaen
II shout to marry charming widow fire.,
Georgia, and thst his niece, Miss Lane,