The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-06-27

SURFACE.
The middle region Of Western Iowa en-
braces that portion of the State lying be-
tween parallels Of latitude Al deg, 30
min., and AZ deg, 40 min., the western
boundary being the Missouri river and the
eastern line the summit Of the water shed
which separates the drainage of the Mis-
souri, from that Of the Mississippi
Through this region the Boyer, the Sol
der, the Maple, the Little Sioux and the
Floyd rivers flow, all in a south westerly
direction, diversifying the surface into
meadow and upland-the valleys affording
the richest meadows and pastures, sloping
gently to intervening divides, on which
| the finest of corn, wheat, and all crops
common to this latitude are grown. These
rivers run with rapid currents, through
sunken beds resembling artificial water
courses, thoroughly draining the soil,
leaving no marshes or waste places, and
being fed with numerous unfallIng springs,
that flow from the strata of gravel under
lying the sub-soil, provide q general dis
tribution Of pure running streams, rarely
found in a prairie country. Timber is
found along the larger streams, and coal
of excellent quality from local mines is
abundantly supplied.
Ex-speaker W. w. Field, Secretary Of
the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society,
says Of this region 4 never saw richer
soil, or better watered country. Ii will
when brought into q good state Of cultiva-
tion, come as near being farmers para
disc as earth can produce"
SOIL AND CLIMATE
The top soil is the usual black vegetable
mould, Of great depth and productiveness,
with a subsoil of argillaceous loan and
comminuted cla1 forming what is called
the I" ssticiOSs tof the Missouri slope.
This is of fortunate mixture as to
give a wa IN and mellowness to the
earth. and is SO favorable to the growth Of
vegetation, that crops usually mature as
early as upon the more clayey sub-soils,
200 miles further south.
The State Geological report says
Over SO per cent Of the surface is suited
to the plow"-snd Gov. Merrill, Of Iowa,
afirms, that In this region is found, by
both practical demonstration and scientific
investigation, the very best soil of the
commonwealth.
In temperature the seasons are similar
to those of Central Illinois, with marked
advantage in the earlier cultivation Of the
soil after spring frosts have ceased, and
also in the good roads at all times of the
year, afforded from the more perfect drain
age. The climate is well known to be the
heslthiest in the world. Fever and ague
and pulmonary complaints in this region
are unknown.
| MARKET FACILITIEs.
Besides the favorable considerations Of
healthful climate and fertile soil, the
seeker of new home should not over
look the great advantage which this dis
trict presents for profitable farming, in the
fact that it is merely suburban to the
older settled portion Of the Vests ira
versed by railways running to Chicago
under one management, making no break
in shipment, and providing cheaper means
of transportation than can possibly be
afforded from the more remote districts Of
the country. There il no subject which
the agricultural economist considers with
keener interest than the ways and means
provided for marketing the surplus pro
ducts of the farm In this important
respect, the purchaser Of lands from thiI
Company viii find himself most fortunate
! ly situated. The saving that comes from