The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1866-04-26
For the -Pioneer.1
OI IIIC Z IUIICCI.
'0' ALTON. UNION Co., Iowa, }
sa8' April, 1866. ~ Eya4ic T

y
GEN WILSON I'm a former letter,
which found its way into the columns
of the ''Pioneer," I think I intimated
that my friends should have an honest
report in relation to the temperature
OF an Iowa winter, when I had passed
through one. [ can now speak from
experience. If the past winter is a fair
specimen, | certainly think an Iowa
preferable to an Ohio winter. For the
first time, since my remembrance, I
have escaped Il severe cold during the
winter. Every day [ have been able
to be at my post. The pure. air that,
sometimes, runs riotously over these exs
tensive prairies, getting i'll too brisk
motion for the comfort or safety of
those exposed to its action, seems to
have had a trejuvenating efectupon my
frail body ,,e,,.-.-.: -.a~g IT .-ar r-....
The winter has been close. one, the
ground having been frozen the most
of the time We have had at no time
more than twelve inches of snow on
the ground, except in drifts, and ex-
-cept the 21st Dec.-12 degrees below
zero-the 18th, 10Th and Goth January
.-16 below on the last day-thet 14tl
and 10TH Februafy-13 and 20 below
ro-outdoor business has been ufiin-
terrupted by the severity of the weather,
The roads have been, GENERALLY, good.
Cattle and sheep appear, to have win
tered well, many of them without shell
ter. | am satisfied that this is healthy
location both, for man and beast. Yet
| freely admit that it will require more
labor here to raise stock than it does
in Ohio, where. tame grasses are album
dant. 1t becomes necessary to feed
stock, where wild grass is relied upon,
nearly or quite half the year. When
the tame grasses become abundant, /
think the Feeding season will be abridg-
ed, in central and southern Iowa from
one to two months. GsUus j., r,d9.3. 4
.@~H so y a';s''7w WINDS. sis.ioiaa3- IN ?
The North and West winds are cold
and severe in winter, but rather agree
able in summer. They sometimes are
so furious that it is difficult to compel
a horse to face them, in winter, and wo
to the poor traveller who becomes be-
nighted upon a large prairie and has to
face. a drifting snow storm and a north
wind. - ....-.s.,g s.z.s~.e..s, -...--.s -.,r.,.
But even these terrible winds possess
a redeeming quality, They unques-
tionably promote the health of the
country, and tone up the system Of
man for action as vigorous as they
themselves exert Those who are raised
in the country are pictures of health
and models of strength and activity. .
POPULATION. ''
A large share have emigrated from
the States of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and many of them are
restless, and ready to sell out and move
South or West. Good farms are offer:
ed at about what they have cost to i'm
prove them; and wild land can be
bought in abundance, at from So to IS
per acre, in the praiiies. Timber lands
sell for from $40 to S25.fo;rt ri z:u
PRODUCTIONS.
Corn is the staple grain, which yields
about 40 bushels per acre without ex-
Itra culture Spring wheat, oats and
potatoes do we'll Grazing is the most
profitable business. Wool growing is
yet in its infancy, but promises large
results. .sEs9y ~
In conclusion will add that, until
hedges are grown for shelter, | think
fruit trees will not. do well. The win
1 ter cold and summer heat are too in
tense for any save the hardy varieties
Much attention has recently been en-
listed in favor Of the Usage Orange fol
hedges. Large quantities of seed have
been introduced from Texas; and, in
a few years, there will be great change
in. the character and appearance Of
these bleak prairies. .97D'e6 30 b9Tu-
5c econ Gd5 RAIL ROADS - i5.Jc~ T. F.
{ will soon afford facilities for procuring
pine lumber for building purposes, and
then we may look for. a rapid settle
ment of these old elk pastures, in spite
of winds and winters.
...ft. 20 ~ dVopru