The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-19

able length of time, have experienced She
most marked and safutary effects. On leavI I
ing, some of them have bottled up qsanhs|
ties of the water for future use. A CONSIDERED
able period will no doubt elapse before these
springs will be put to any practical use, COM
mensurate with their value, but at some fu-
ture time they will attain much importance.
People are too prone to undervalne whatev-
err may be characteristic of their own locaii'
ties, and many of our ON oatazens who re-
call with sas;sfaetie4 their annual guzzle at
Saratoga, are totally unaware that just as |
hieblv IMPLICATED waters can be procured |
within zen miles of Rock Island. At all
cents, if any of our readers are afflicted
with illhealth, or debiltated constitutions,
and believe that mineral water might benefit
them, we heartily prescribe month or two
at the Sulphur Springs at Andalusia.
In this connection we might refer to the
innumerable specimens of petriGed wood,
shells, boae, and other objects, found along
the river shore at this locality. We exam.
ined several fine collections, which might
we'll excite the interest of the geologist or
curiosity hunter. One specimen so closely
resembled small fish that we had no hest
tation in pronouncing it to once have been
such. Even the, scales conld be ydiscerned.
The fragments of buffalo horns are very
plenteous. Many of the objects could not
be made out definitely, but excited vari-
| ance of opinion. We understand that col
| lection has been sent to the state geologist
| for his examination. -
Within the limits OF the town, no less than
seven stone quarries are operated to great
err or less extent affording the very best of
building material. 1t is said to be far supe-
rior to the LeClaire stone, and stood the
| government test on the Island in the most
satisfactory manner, but for want of the
requisite capital, no bids were entered for
furnishing a supply. During the past sea-
son. about fifteen hundred perch have been
taken out, the greater portion being sold
in the country. The quarrying is carried
the town shall have attained larger size,
this resource viii no doubt be fully develop
ed, and prove of great value. Our friend,
Mr.. Samuel kenworthy, is somewhat inter-
ested in this line, owning one of the largest
quarries in the place.
Nature seems to have favored this point
still more, in having provided an abundant
store of fuel. Within a circuit of FIVE miles
around the town, about dozen coal banks
have been opened and partially worked, and
the greatest reason exists for believing tina,
the whole country is underlaid with an in
exhaustible strata of this valuable material
+ zaUoul two miles SCUM me town.
Smith and Archibald Morton are working
bank each, supplying the town, and con
siderable range of country. When this
great interest shall have been in some meas
ure developed, the result will be highly ben
efieial, especially as the banks can be loca
ted in such close proximity for river ship
| ments.
The grain trade of Andalusia is rapidly at
tanning Importance. The agricultural dis
tricts, in the rear of the place, are as fins
and prolific as the sun ever shone upon
and include the country stretching around
i Aledo, Buffalo Prairie, and Edgington, witt
all the broad lands intervening. No poin
on the Mississippi is backed by section
promising greater wealth when fully deyel
oped. The grain trade for the past year
foots up, in value. a half a million dollars
| This fact alone is attracting attention to tina
locality. Corn is the best crop produced on
= the prairie lands, on account of which the
raising of pork is made quite speciality
All kinds of grain, however, are annually
raised, comparing favorably with that o
any adjacent section. For the culture o
fruit and grape, the bluff lands have nj
- equal John Houston, William Freeman
!, | Jonathan Moshier, and many others, have
lately given this branch of horticulture con
siderable attention. Mr.. Moshier has
small patch of bearing vines, from which
: during the year just past, he has raised owe
e a ton of grapes. In innumerable instances
r the vines bore thirty-five and forty pounds Q
9 grapes each. The greater part of his GRO
i was disposed of at from twelve and a half t
i fifteen cents per pound, and the balanc
made into wine. He proposes to go int
r. the business more extensively III the future
( | and to that end has set out great man
3 new vines. These stretch along the sides
an abrupt declivity, completely sheltere
from the winds. These lands so admirabl
adapted for this purpose, and for no othe
1t | are worth, we were informed, only from fv
re to twelve dollars an acre. A general dispt
n | sition exists among the farming communit
! there to plant grapes, believing that nothin
J. can be more profitable, and the only DANCE
k to be apprehended is that the market /
e overdone. To counteract this fear, howeve
}. it is affirmed that the demand for grape
e. and wine will more than keep pace wit
e. their production, for great many years I
w. feome.
GU Ihe lumber trade of Andalusia, formerl
ihsisnihcant, is becoming quite an item
z tue Commercial statistics of this county,
Two hfha are now engaged, each having
hne yard WI stocked with every descriptio
lr- OF inmber' ann doing an excellent business
lat not only with th>eountry back of the tow,
m, but selling heavilysp the town itself Tn
30, sales for the past yen aggregate FIVE mi
ur lion feet. About sixt% 49, l., -