The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-06-14
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER FROM EGYPT.

DU QUoIN, Ill. June 2, 1860
The town from which this is lated i some six
ty miles south of the northern limits of that por-
t on of Illinois, deuominated Egypt,and is in the
same latitude of Lex ngton, Kentucky. 1t is
interesting in travelling South on the Illinois
Central Road, to note the advanced appearance
of the season, which every additional forty o,
fifty miles presents, That the reader may have
an exact idea Of the present state of forwardness
of the grain and fruit crops on this % day of
june the result ola days observation, in riding
over the country, IN the vicinity of Du Quom
will be given
THE GRAIN CROPS.
Many farmers here expect to commence har-
vesting wheat next week-some on Monday
next, the 4th inst. The harvesting of one fe Id
of wheat. about two miles from this place was
begun to day. No spring wheat is grown in this
section of Country. As to :he oat crop, few
fields are now headed out Corn is of all sizes
from three to fifteen inches high, owing to the
difference of the time Of planting. The earliest
planted peas are now rather old for table USE
FRUIT
1t is generally conceded by the people here
that the fruit crop will be more than usually abun.
dant this year. Apple and peach trees are gen.
orally loaded to their utmost capacity-the limbs
already bend with their fruit burthen. Cherry
trees are full of fruit which now looks red, al
though most varieties are not yet fully ripe
IL.
good show of fruit but 1t IS only quite recent
ly that much attention has been paid to raising
pears There are but few plum trees, and
those few do not appear to bear much fruit
What few grape vines are seen in the gardens,
have an abundance Of fruit, but no particular
pains seem 10 have been taken to cultivate tn e
grape to any extent. The strawberry season is
now over.
The InhaI itants here insist, that the fruit crop
is il sure one every year; there of course being
a difference in seasons-some being more favor
able to an abundant crop than others A few
years ago, it was believed that the country still
farther south, was better adapted to the growing
of peaches proftably for northern market; but
public sentiment on this point is now changed.
Accordingly many persons are now going large
ly into the planting of peach orchards in this
section one man near Du Quoin has lately set
out III $50 trees. learned of several instances
where individuals have lately planted from fifty
to one hundred acres with peach trees. Apple
orchards are also rapidly multiplying. Conf
dence is felt that the business of fruit growing,
will prove a lucrative one. The supply, how
ever largely it may be increased from year to
year, it is believed, will no more than meet the
demand for many years to come. The profits
of an orchard of peaches or apples greatly ex-
coed those of any of the other ordinary farm pro-
ducts, Many persons who have formerly en-
gagged in the nursery and fruit business north,
have within the past year or two purchased land
in Southern Illinois, with the design of going
largely into the growing of fruit, The facilities
for sending fruit to destitute portions of country
are constantly being increased, and the trade is
destined to become one of immense Importance.
DU QUoIN CHARACTER OF POPULATION
Notwithstanding the moral, intellectual, and
political darkness when is said TO pervade the
population OF Egypt, there are bright spots in
these particulars, on the dark canvass. These
luminous spots are as yet almost wholly found
on the line of the railroads, and have principally
sprung up within the past four years. Du Quoin
is one of them; it is pretty place of some four
years growth, containing from twelve to fifteen
hundred Inhabitants. There are enough North
ern families in the place, to give controlling
influence to society schools, churches, and the
institutions OF good civilization, are all well
cared for; besides, the ciizens of the place, in
tend to vindicate the character of the town for
patriotism and intelligence, by giving a majority
for Lincoln next fall. 1t may however, pr,iu-
dice some Of our northern gentlemen against
Du QuOn, when the fact is stated that the au-
thoriiies hero, grant no licenses for liquor sell
ing the stuff is only kept by the Druggists, to
be dealt out the same as other poisons,
Du Quoin has quite as many fine residences,
as are found in villages of the same SIZE in Wis
eonsin or elsewhere; the yards and gardens.
attached 10 many of the dwellings, present IA
'ofusion OF flowers and shrubb4ry of luxurian.
growth A garden of fruits aud flowers is an
easy matter, when the soil ard climate are so
happily adapted to the purpose.
RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY.
The chief resources of this section of the conn.
ny arc corn and wheat. The land is mostly prai-
RE, and the soil has so large mixture of line,
is to give it a gray appearance; its adaptation
to the growing of whea; is nnquestioaa5le As
tor corn, Southern Illinois has long been known
as the land of corn The business cf stock
growing, is ais quite considerable, although
hay bears higher price than in Wisconsin; hay
h"ds ready market here at from even to ten
dollars per ton 1t is sent south, down the Mis-
Slss'ppi. Coal is found in great abundance in
Central aud Southern Illinois, and the amonrt
now being taken from the mines at Du onoi,, i
larger than from ANY other point on the line Of
the Illinois Central Road. The town is pnd.r-
/ land with coal, and the business of mInino i
prosecuted quite largely. The coal strata occur
/ from forty to fifty feet below the surface. Bv
the politeness of Mr. James Cowen. the intelli.