Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-04-03
ITS GREAT MATERIAL RESOURCES AND
NATURAL ADVANTAGES.

NATURAL hbN
MEssRs. EDIroRs Permit me to
lay before your readers q brief descrip-
ton of the great advantages and mate
rial resources that presen themselves
to my observation in the State Of Ar
kansds,; shrough which State | Travelled
to some extent during the past Winter
Taking everything into consideration,
! find natural advantages in
Arkansas for the common laborer, the
agricultural, the capitalist, the artisan,
the miner and the mechanic, than any
other western or southwestern State
Those who seek 10 make a living by
following agricultural pursuits will find
in most localities in tho State a soil
unsurpassed in fertility, and a climate
unequaled in mildness. Outdoor work
can be performed during every
month OF the year. 1 find, after a
careful investigation, that blighting
droughts and grasshopper plaques are
unknown within the State. With
ordinary industry and care, anyone,
no matter how poor, a make a com.
Portable living in Arkansas. Lands
are cheap and bct.or for their class
-
than in any other State in the Union,
and no farmer there need be without q
home of his own.
The man who knows himself will
~endeavor TO perform his part in every
rank and station of life in which Provi-
dence has placed him. Hence, every
one seeking a new home will promote
his best interests and welfare by care
fully looking into the natural advan-
tages of climate, soil, and general mate.
rial resources of the locality where he
concludes to cast his lot in life.
In the first place, fruit is grown in
great variety and in the greatest pcr-
lection. To make particular mention /;
Washington and Benton counties are
noted tor their fine fruits of all kinds,
and apples are a nev~cr.failing crop. /.
This is a natural peach country.
They grow large, are well favored,
and need no special care. Figs do well
here, and are raised as large as they
do In Louisiana. Plums, pears, ounces
and cherries all thrive and do well.
Vegetables of nearly every variety
grow here to perfection. Cabbage,
potatoes (sweet and Irishl turnips,
peas, beets, beans, onions, %cucumbers,
radishes, and every variety is produced
in abundance. Two crops OF the above
can be raised annually. In this climate
both fruit trees and vines produce
abundantly and ripen the fruit in the
greatest perfection. 1t might seem
incredible to our northern fIiends, yet
| am informed by all citizens that
the fruit crop of Arkansas has not been
a failure but once in thirty years. |
find that all kinds of fruit and vegcta-
bles mature and are ready for market
from six to eight weeks earlier than in
the latitude of ST. Louis.
Stock.raising, owing to the climate,
uniailing water and wide grass range,
possesses superior advantages, and is a
branch of industry which has already
become an extensive interest. The
native grasses of Arkansas include
thirty.fve varieties and all grow luxuri.
antly. In most portions of the State
cattle, horses, sheep and mules thrive
and keep fat the entire year without
food or care from the owner.
/ can invite the ambitious hunter to
Arkansas, to enjoy the excitement OF
hunting deer, which are abundant in
many parts Of the State or, if he
would prefer bears and panthers, the
western portion Of the State will fur
nish ample opportunity. l found that
game was very plenty, and had some
experience among the bear, deer, and
panther, in the Ozark mountains. A
party Of us were out two days, and
killed five bears, seven deer, one wild
cat, and had game enough to make as
much as four horses could haul a dis
lance Of twenty-five miles-to Hot
Springs. would like to give the Incl.
dents of this hunt more fully, but space
will not permit. In season, venison is
cheaper than beef in the market of
Little Rock, and bear steak is by no.
means uncommon.
Arkansas, | find, has more navigable
streams than any State in the Union.
st. Frances river rises in Southeastern
Missouri White river, Black river and
Arkansas river flow through the centre
Of the State and are navigable the en-.
tire distance through it's limits ; Qua
chita river rises in Polk county,
and is navigable at least $50 miles (;
Saline river, cmptying into the Ouachita
in Union county, is navigable for 100
miles. Little river, emptying into the
Red river, rum through the southwest.
ern corner Of the State. Thus IL will
be seen that Of the seventy. -four III
ties in this State, nearly every one is
watered by strcams, each navigable in
its course through different counties
from 70 to 400 miles, making, with
their branches, a navigable highway
within tho State OF yer 5000 miles.
CLIMATE.
l find the agricultural advantages Of
Arkansas are greatly enhanced by the
leading characteristics Of the country.
The southern and the eastern parts Of
the State are the lowest. Thence the
country rises to the northwest, attain.
ing an average altitude in tho Ozark
mountains Of about 1000 feet above
the SEQ. Tho rainfall, which is about
sixty inches in tho country bordering
on the Mississippi, falls of toward the
weaf N ahout fortv-6va ;nohaa nm tha