Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-09-19
Hoytsvllle, Sept. 10.
FROM OLD TENNESSEE.
Location and PuzzIed Observations
of n Wood County BOY I'm the
sunny south.

SHEFFIELD, TFNN., Sept. 6, 1884.
FRIEND TIMMoNs six weeks ago found
me In undisputed possession of u farm at
this place, and, although each day fnds
me more and more puzzled over the soil
and It's cultivation, the crops, stock, and
native people, yet few lines from me
may not be uninteresting to some Of your
readers, and to such or TO your waste basket
I write.
Rl,ea county, in which I have located,
may be divided into three distnct natural
divisions. The frat includes the Tennessee
river bottoms in the east, which, enriched
by annual overhows, have been able to
Withstand the soil.killing style OF farming
for sixty years, and are yet able To pro-
duce from fifty to sixty bushels Of corn
per acre. The farms are nearly all worked
by tenants, who pay one.halt the crop,
sacked and ready for shipment. As corn
10 never below fifty and usually above
sixty. fve cents per bushel, the land meets
with ready sale at from sixty to one hun.
dred dollars per acre.
Situated 10 the west of these are from
three to five parallel ranges of hills with
their intervening valleys. These have
received the same culture as the river
bottoms, and as a consequence are greatly
run. On a general rule rolling land ia
not true corn land, and if il were, the
constant cropping to which it is subjected
in this country would soon rob il of its
fertility. II the corn itself did not take
up the nutriment, driving rains would
quickly wash off all soil mellowed by even
their poor culture. But poor as it il |
believe that clover will bring IT up to a
degree worthy the attention OF wheat
growers and stock and dairy men. A
good stand of clover can he obtained on
the most of il tue first year.
The major part OF the ridges have been
left in timber. Many of them rising high
above frost mark inclose some of the hest
fruit land in the State. Seme orchards
planted before the war are still bearing
their almost never-failing crop of seed
lings. Much, however, depends on the
choice of land. Some orchards have
missed but twice since the war, while
others not mile distant have not borne y
half dozen crops during that entire period
Although the peach tree il being planted
by the thousand by both the Norther,
sattlers and the more energetic OF the
natives, il is probable that 1t will quickly
be rivaled by the grape, which grows tt
perfection. This year the market opened
at eight cents and closed at four cents net
The earlier varieties were rotted to som,
extent by the excessive rains, but all Ih'
later ones came on with nicely ripeneC
solid bunches. Land ranges in value
from five to forty dol liars per acre.
Next comes Walden's Ridge plateau
one thousand feet above the level of til,
river. Upon the summit is wooded
plateau almost as level as a Western prai
rie and eanaling 1t in many places 70
grazing. When / read Mr.. SINNERS let
ters to the Sentinel two years ago though
it nonsense to think OF fattening cattle oI
wild grass in the woods. But after wan
dering for several miles through AN oal
forrest, thoroughly sodded with nutri
tious wild grass, and without a log, limb
or even stick AZ large as mans arm
being ON the ground, became convince,
of my mistake, aud the sleek, fat beeve
that are now being shipped to Virgini
and Kentucky give ample proof that ii
not all theory.
Many Northern families reside on th
summit. Nearly all have come for healtl
and nearly all are enthusiastic in tlei
praise for the country. Here again th
puzzling character Of the soil present
itself. I saw new land which utterl
, lacked these elements required by corr
, and the white beans that l saw lookel =
poor and starved that really Plied then
Yet that same land produces an fine grape
peaches, cabbages aud potatoes M hav
ever seen grown on any soil. Finely tim
bered land brings from one to three dollar
per acre.
Iron and coal lie along the bluffs ia il
exhanstible quantities. An English syI
dictate is putting up two furnaces, in I'll
county, Of $50 tons capacity.
All iron men have decided views on I'll
tariff question, and are anxionsly awaiiin
the results of the coming elections. Slioml
they continue to receive protection thei
will quickly he forty instead of two mi
lions Of English dollars invested in q,
county. Although the Democrats are all
1 prot iectionists, yet they can. not work wit
: such men nv Hmrd. aud are rapidly drift
d, ing over to the Republican side. Tw
= years ago the county stnod 400 Democrat
one year ago 100, and thus year they electe
r their officers by majority Of three, and "
/. claim the Presidential election with iwen'
= votes to spare. w. e. M.
= ANY HOUsgKEKPER who sends at once u
e names of five married ladies. at game addres