The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-05-24
WESTERN CORRESPONDENCE.
A short Creek Farmer Ont In
Missouri.

RAYMoRE, JACKSON Co, Mo, May 20.
Editor Inisllssnosr.
Having had some inquiries about this
country / will, with your permission, ans
wer them through your columns. After
one years experience here l fnd the
country to be all expected and even
more. In the way Of farming and stock
raising know Of none that will Gurpass
II. We raise all kinds Of farm produce,
but wheat, corn, oats and aax are the
principal crops. Corn las! season aver
aged about 45 bushels per scre, wheat 20,
oats 80, and In market corn brought 25c
per bushsl, wheat 81 90, and oats 20c.
Stock Of all kinds do we'll. Sheep do re.
markedly we'll, and the climate Is well
adapted 10 them. Cattle and hogs are
the principal stock. There were agreat
number Of cattle fed last winter, but
with little remuneration TO the feeder,
owing to general depression Of the mar.
kets. But to take all kinda Of farming to
gether, and all things considered, q farm
er who will keep out Of debt can do we'll
here. Living Is cheap and land Is low,
and although we cannot get as much for
our produce Is We could in the Eastern
States, yet we realize "a much In the out
come, because one man will till much
more ground and his expenses are much
less In raising crop. One man with .
good tesm can farm 80 acres Of land and
do il well. Il tcosts no more TO get pro.
duce 10 market than In the East. By
rail TO St. Louis, the rate Ia about "a cents
per hundred for wheat, and 16 cents for
corn; and 10 Kansas City, which Is our
beat market for every thing we raise, 9
cents on wheat and about cents for corn,
and the price per car for shipping stock
10 ST. Louis is $50, while to Kansas City
it Is about SIG. But there 10 4 market at
home all seasons for any stock for sale.
Land Is cheap and man Of small
means can do we'll here. 1t ranges from
$40 to S25 per acre; the latter figure will
buy finely improved farms. There ia no
Government land, but considerable wild
land, held by capitalists. Moderately
improved farms can be got cheaper than
the wild land can be bought and i'm
proved.
To answer directly the questions Of
some inquirers, could advise no one to
come here who has not means enough TO
buy good team and outfit 10 farm with,
and means enough to farm with for at
least six months. A good team OF horses
can be got for Sl60 to $500. It will cost
from 5000 to $500 for an outfit for one
man 10 farm with. / would say to all who
expect to make . living by days work
to stay where they are, as wages are bet
ter there than here. Good farm hands
get from Sl2 to Sl4 per month, but !
think renter can do better here than In
West Virginia. The terms OF renting
are different.
The present prospect for crops is not
so fattering as II was few weeks ago.
The weather has been dry for some time.
The corn Is all planted and is looking
we'll, but the oats are short and sickiy,
and without doubt the wheat In this vi.
cinity will be very near failure, owing
to the Hessian ay, which is damaging 1t.
The farmers were feeling joyful over the
prospect till OF late. Wheat Ia turning
yellow and dying. Some are plowing II
up and planting other grain. The pros-
pect for fruit is fair. Peaches in abun-
dance; apples did not bloom very eIten-
siyely and will not be very heavy crop.
As have answered about all the ques.
tious, in my rough way, that were asked
by friends / will close, for have already
consumed too much space. For any one
wishing any further information / will
find time TO reply 10 them.
E. 2. McCuILocH.