The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-08-07

ship without striking" fence So vol
can now if you choose, but now there ar,
roads, then none There are less opel
tracts than in many of the older town
ships, and everything indicates spirit o
progress tina in period of six years hal
and will continue to work wonders. Al
present there are no very pretentiou:
buildings outside OF Sharon, yet all the
houses seem neat and have an air of fresh
ness that makes one feel comfortable. One
popularity observed: that is, the almos,
entire absence of log houses. saw but
two in my travels.
The farmers Of Prairie seem to have
great filth in the ultimate success OF the
Usage hedge and on every hand may be
seen rows of it, il different stages OF
growth 1 believe there are not less than
fifty miles of hedge in this township
which when fully developed will add
greatly to the general appearance, as well
as value of the farms The finest hedges /
saw belonged to Perry Norton, and o. M.
Hanna; long lines. straight, well trimmed
and perfect in stand, they an beautiful to
look upon, and must be source of pleas
ure and pride to their owners.
There are seven district school houses in
the township, all of which are good sized,
new and neat buildings, but like most OF
the school-houses in our prairie districts
they have an air of discomfort, and to rem.
edy this, would suggest that there be
trees planted around these buildings, that
they may give shade in summer and pro-
lection in winter. Plant them thick; and
make the school-grounds cosy, pretty
place. where the children will looe to co.
Let them have jolly sport. The merrier
their play, the better will be their study.
1t seems to me almost wicked to send the
little ones to school where there is no hid
ing from the burning rays of the summer
sun, other than within the school house
walls.
Speaking of tree planting reminds me of
an article read regarding the rapid con.
sumption of timber, and the necessity of
economizing in this respect. The threat
ened danger of exhaustion could be avert
ed if every farmer in the country, and es-
pecially in such timberless districts as this
township, would plant out timber. Sup
pose, for instance, that every farmer of
Prairie township would plant out five
acres of timber, what would be the result ?
Ir five years time they could get all their
firewood on their own farms. In ten years
they could refence and sub.divide their
farms with timber grown at home. In
fifteen years if they desired, they could
thin out their timber by supplying an ev-
er increasing demand for railroad ties,
(unless by that time the railroads will have
been 'driven out" of the country entirely
cord wood, etc. Aside from these objects,
the climatic benefits arising from liberal
growth of timber would well repay the
outlay. These are no fancies, but rather
solid facts, as any one may know who
will take the trouble to investigate
Owing to the busy season of harvest /
found it impossible to visit as many of the
substantial and leading men of the town
ship as would gladly have done, both of
my own accord, and in obedience to your
instructions. however, saw few, and
note them. My first call was upon Henry
Burns family. Henry is known as an old
resident of Oskaloosa, and as an engineer
has always been safe reliable man. He
has 100 acres of good land in the south
part of the township, well improved, and
well cared for by aifamily of boys. In &C
cordance with an old and oft repeated in
vitation | spent the night with P. W.
Phillips. for short Squire" In March,
1857, Mr.. Philips located on the site of his
present home, with very limited capital
and began operations His first purchase
was forty acre tract which he improved.
To this original tract he has added little by
little, until he nows surveys as his own, 800
broad acres OF good land, all in cultivation.
If this were all, might stop and repeat
the stereotyped phrase that farming don't
pay" citing Mr.. P as an example, but l
am not done vet. In addition to this &C.
emulation of land, he has built $4,000
house, become the owner of much fine
stock, and helped one or two boys to land,
teams, etc. In reply to my inquiry if he
would step out and give possession of ev-
erything tor $4,000, he shook his head
and smilingly Gas if at the lowness OF my
estimate) said mo sir!" Now is there not
q short sightedness in this continual cry
that farming don't pay?" l say 1t does
pay, and the facts not fancies-prove it
Squire Phillips is not an exceptional case.
l can find just rs good examples in which
ever direction you may send me. After
very pleasant evening with Mr.. Phillips
and good nights rest, babe good bye
and made my next call upon Hugh Cath.
cart, 300 acre farmer. From him gath.
cred many items concerning the township
which draw upon in various parts OF
my letter. Near Mr. C's, stands a nea,
frame church, known as Garden Hail.
1T is. 26x30; is used by both the NJ. E. and
Baptist denominations alternately. 1t was
built by an incorporation of citizens re-
CARELESS of religious tenets, and is used up
on occasions of 'public doin's." H. A.
Smith, good substantial farmer of 800
acres; a man of uncommon good sense
postmaster of Flint post Office, and a
strong anti-granger, lives just north of
"Garden Hall" His neighbor, Capt
s. u. Gary, the Grange nominee for county
treasurer, had just gone away and failed
to see him, but am told he Is busily en-
gagged in learning the following song:
"Oh, wife, you've convinced me. III try it nc
more
hardly had thought of being beaten before
But the Repubs were united and then its &c
strange.
There's so many mo account men to be found
in the Grange.
Hereafter, Wen stick to our farming, and let the
grange go towel
What the country's comm to, no one can tell
Pursuing my journey eastward, I find
Isaac Whaling, who the neighbors tell me
is one of the best blacksmiths in the coun.
ty, PROSTATE from the effects of Q
kick from horse he was shoeing, re-
ceived the night before. He was some.
what better, but had had a very close call
He expressed himself as an old and fast
friend Of the HERALD. j. X. Jackson who
has 24O acres, was spoken of as the best
farmer of the township. 1 did not see
him. Travelling northward, I notice new
house belonging to Hiram Besl, 1880
two story, modern Improvements, etc.
cost 81 $50. His son, Nicholas. has new
story and half house, 2Ox2O. An hours
ride find myself in the north part of the