Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-01-11

EznuwylrnH uMzms
brought into competition with fruit
from any part of the Union. Our
apples sock the first premium at the
great Centennial Exhibition just
closed. Those qualified to judge say
that for apples and grapes Ibis part
of Nebraska is unsurpassed in soil
and climate by arv part of America
or Europe Th display l witnessed
at our State FAIR this fall satisfied
me that it is at least an excellent
fruit country.
1t is surprising how fast timber
grows here. have, on my place,
cottonwoods planted from the slip
two years ago last spring-then mere
twigs, not longer nor larger than an
ordinary lead pencil so my neigh
bors tell me-which now measure
twelve inches in circumference and
twenty feet in height. SO it will not
take long to raise ell the timber we
want.
At present, we get the best west
ern coal at 5000 to $3.50 per ton
which makes cheaper fuel than you
have in Wisconsin where you have
an abundance of tim Ter.
Honey Locust arr Usage Orange
are our hedge plants, also cheaper
and better than fencing in the east.
While waiting for hedges to grow,
beginners on a small scale, can get
their stock cared for at mere nomi-
mai price by herders, cattle at so cts,
and horses at $500 per head. During
the season of grass from May to Oc-
tober inclusive, milch cows are "lari-
cited" around home, and do we'll
on the rich prairie grass. Our prai-
ries are all covered with blue joint, a
kind of grass nearly or quite equal
to timothy for all kinds OF stock, and
yields from two to four tons per
acre.
Our State compares favorably with
the older ones in intelligence, NOR
atty, &c. But two per cent of our
population are unable to read and
write. What State east of Us can
make such showing? Not one. A
stranger is struck with the number
and quality of school houses he sees
on every hand.
Taxes are high, of course, as in all
new countries and new settlers fire.
quently make the fatal mistake of
burdening themselves with TOO much
land. ga little land we'll TILED &c +,
applies here as we'll as elsewhere.
Population is rapidly increasing in
spite of grasshoppers, which, though
a terrible pest, are not one half 80
bad as represented. The crops here
have averaged as we'll as 10 Wiscon-
sir, during the worst OF the grass
hopper years, aud when not injured
by them the grain and vegetables
yield enormously.
Located as Nebraska Is, her rail
roads already SO we'll developed and
still developing, with such glorious
climate, such a rich soil, so little
waste land, and being settled with so
good class of people, she certainly
has a glorious future before her.
Those who cast their fortunes with
her now, will reap the benefits.
I have examined a consid cradle
portion of this and some parts of ad-
Joining counties, and think that any
one wishing to come west TO farm,
can do no better than to look over
the country in the neighborhood of
Waverly. We have near market,
both town and city. have the most
intelligent, moral and peaceable class
of people ever knew in any coun-
try neighborhood, good schools, good
soil, beautiful scenery, &o., dc.
There are many other things pre-
sent themselves to my mind that l
should like to write about, but this
letter has already grown unexpect>
eddy long. l will merely add that |
do not believe that any one need be,
or ever was driven from south east
ern Nebraska by grasshorpers, or
that they heed be greatly feared.
People leaving home and friends far
away, coming to new country
among strange, g, where everything
is different from what they have
been accustomed to, coming, as very
many do almost destitute of either
money or property, undergoing pri-
vations as they must, naturally get
homesick, the worst of all kinds of
sickness, and then with the shop
pers" for an excuse pull up and leave
and to avoid lotting their friends
IL Tho that of
nerve and backbone to face the hard.
ships of new country curse the
State aud tell most terrible grasshop-
per yarns Those whose spinal COL
ums are all gristle had better stay at
home The West is not the place
for them. Nor would | advise any
one to come West, but those who
know they would ike TO come to
some part If the West, AMI are de-
termined to make it win, then i
would say come and see this part of
Nebraska.
The Burlington and Missouri River
K. r. O.. has considerable land yet
for sale, in all parts of this county at
$500 to 90 per acre, on ten years
credit, at 6 per cent. interest, no
part of the principal for four years,
with large reduction to those who
break one half their land within two
years from purchase. Such chances
will soon be of the past. Now is the
time for those who want cheap
homes on easy terms in a good coun-
try. | shall be glad to answer any
special inquiries of friends in Wis
consin, and shall, in all cases, give
you my own best judgement and
facts as | know them.
CHAs. d. SHRADER.
Waverly, Lancaster Co., Neb.
Dec. 24th, 1876