Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-04-17
Mteklg gntelligenfer,
OFFICIAL COUNTY PAPER.
LAFAYETTE COUNTY.

Lafayette county is situated in the
western part of the state of Missouri.
1t is bounded on the north by
the Missouri river; on the south by
johnson county; on the west by Jack
son county, and on the east by Saline
county. 1t is widely known for the
richness Of its soil, the abundance OF its
water, the excellence OF its climate and
the wealth and refinement OF its citizens.
Its general surface is high and roll
ing, about three eurths being prairie,
and o%ne-tourth timber. A high ridge
passes south of its center, separating
the tributaries of the Missouri from
these of the Lamine. Many streams
throughout the county afford an abund-
ance of stock water. Along these streams
are found fine groves Of timber. such as
walnut, oak, hickory. elm. ash, cotton
wood, linn, poplar, maple. &c. The
soil is a deep, rich, black loan. in many
places four or five feet deep, never less
than two or three feet deep unless 1t is
washed. 1t is underlaid with limestone,
and is unsurpassed by any agricultural
country on earth for fertility and produc-
ton OF a large variety OF products. The
county contains 1884, 600 acres of improv-
ed lands, and $1,000 acres of woodland,
besides IL, 900 acres of other u%nimprov-
ed lands. The average. price OF i'm
poved land IS about 1925 per acre; OF
inimpreved land from SIS to $12 80 per
acre. The comm odities ier export are
mainly wheat, corn, hemp, tobacco.
cattle and hogs. The average yield OF
csrn is about 55 bushels, and Of wheat
from Is to 40 bushels per acre.
Much attention has been paid TO the
raising of improved live stock in the
county, especially Of horses, cattle and
hogs. The finest horses and cattle in
the state are found within her borders
as has frequently been demonstrated
by the premiums carried off by her
stock men at the st. Louis, Kansas
City and other large agricultural fairs.
The county is well adapted to stock
raising. the climate not being subject to
extremes. being happily situated just
far enough north to have mild winters,
only sufficiently cold to insure. with
moderate certainty, an annual Ice crop,
and not tar enough south to be subject
to the e~nnsrvating influences Of d warm
climate. In the growth OF its grasses
it Is unsurpassed. Central Kentucky
cannot excel it for blue grass, which
grows t m enormous height; and tim
othy, clover, orchard and other grasses
grow with great luxuriance. So true
II this that it is nearly always feasible
to winter cattle through in fine condi-
ton without feeding grain at all.
By common consent this portion OF
Missouri is acknowledged to be n OF the
finest fruit growing countries in the
world. Apples grow remarkably large
and free frsm specks, and are OF pecu-
liarly COED favor. Peaches are raised
without difficulty, in great abundance
and Of the fiasst quality. So also OF
pears, plums, apricots, nectarines.
cherries and other orchard fruits. Grapes
are particularly suited to the soil and
climate, and grow to great size and
perfection. Small fruits of all kinds do
well. The county derives a large rev.
enue from fruits, as splendid markets
surround it at convenient distances.
A partial report of the shipments
from the county from July LIST, 1879, to
April 1st, 1880, is as follows. A full
report from all the towns would exhibit
at least Is per cent. more. and the last
was not by any means an exceptionally
gsed crop year.