Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-01-29
LAFAYETTE COUNTY.

From the Lexington, Missouri. Intslligeneer,
April IT. 1885,
Lafayette county is situated in the
estern part of the state of Missouri. !.
1t is bounded on the north by the
Missouri river; OH the south by
johnson county; on the west by Jack
son county and OH the east by Saline
county. 1t IS widely known for the
richness Of its soil, the abundance OF
it's water, the excellence of Its climate
and the wealth and refinement of it's
citizens.
Its general surface is high aud roll
ing, about three fourths being prai-
rie, aud one-fourth timber. A high
ridge passes south of its center, sep
srating the tributaries Of the Mis-
souri, from those of the Lamiue.
Many streams throughout the county
afford an abundance of stock water.
Along these streams are found fine
groves of timber, such as walnut,
oak, hickory, elm, ash, cottonwood,
hnn, poplar, maple, &c. The soil is
deep, rich, black loan, in many
places four or five feet deep, never
less than two or three feet deep un-
less it is washed. 1t is underlaid
with limestone, and is unsurpassed
by any agricultural country oil earth
for fertility aud production of large
variety Of products. The county
contains $4,000 acres Of improved
lands, and 10000 acres of woodland,
besides $1,000 acres of other unim-
proved lands. The average price of
improved land is about 1926 per acre
Of unimproved land from $5 to $12 so
| e.
port are mainly wheat, cern, hemp,
tobacco, cattle and hogs. Che average
yield of corn is about 55 bushels, aud
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
her borders as has frequently been
demonstrated by the premiums car
rled off by her stock men at the St.
Louis, Kansas City AM. other large
agricultural fairs. The county is
well adapted to stock raising, the
climate not being subject to ex-
tremes. being happily situated just
far enough north to have mild win
tiers, only sufficiently cold to insure,
with moderate certainty, all annual
ice crop, and not far enough south to
be subject to the enervating influ-
ence of warm climate. In the
growth of its grasses it is unsur-
passed. Central Kentucky cannet
excel it for blue g"ass, which grows
to an enormous height; and timothy,
clover, orchard and other grasses
grow with great luXuriance. So true
Is this that it is nearly always ieasi-
BILE to winter cattle through in fine
col dition without feeding grain at all.
By common consent this portion OF
Missouri is acknowledged to be one
Of the finest fruit growing countries
in the world. Apples grow remark
ably large and free from specks, and
are of peculiarly good flavor. Peaches
are raised without difficulty, in
great abundance and of the finest
quality. So also of pears. plums,
apricots, nectarines, cherries and
other orchard fruits. Grapes are
particularly suited to the sol, and
climate, and grow to great size and
perfection. Small fruits of all kinds
do we'll. The county derives q large
revenue from fruits. as splendid
markets surround it at convenient
distances.
A partial report of the shipments
from the county from July lst, 1879
to April 1st. 1880. is as follows. A
full report from all the towns would
EXHIBIT at least % per cent. more, and
the last " as not by any means an ex.
c"p'l"n.,ly good crop year.