The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-03-24
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT.

E1ItINEIiNNTlO OGI IutI NG Arkansas, the Fruit State of the Union.
 Arkansas is pre- eminently the fruit state of our Union and the assertion we here make will be fully borne out on investigation. The writer accom- panied the American Horticultural society on their excursion through the state ot California, visit ing every fruit region of any note in the state and most thor oughly acquainting himself with its climate, soil and productions. Of the citrus fruits we have nothing to say, as we do not grow them nor do they come in competition with us, but as regards the apples, peaches and pears of Arkansas, they are better in quality than any raised in California, and our peach growers can realize nearly double per acre, in money value, and on land that does not cost one-hundredth part of what is asked and actually paid for fruit lands in California. AS for their apples, they are inferior to ours both in shape, color and fiavor-while strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are no better than are grown in Arkansas. Their growers have but limited market compared with ours, as to us the whole northern states are of easy access. Grape culture is at present the most important fruit industry in California both for the manufacture of wine and raisins, and in this does, and will, no doubt, continue to excel us, as it is not probable we can ever grow a raisin grape, but as table grape they have none superior to our Delaware. Apricots, plums (prunes), almonds, and some other kinds do wonderfully we'll there, much better than in any other part of the country.
 When the price of land is taken into consideration, which in California is from $100 to 1000 per acre, with their distance from market, Arkansas offers much better inducements for fruit growing than California, both expended, and believe this to be the opinion of a large majority of the horticulturists on the excursion. Lands well adapted for the culture of the apple, pear, peach and grape and all small fruit, can be purchased in Arkansas for Sl0 per acre and in many places at government price ($1.25 per acre). Why should any one go to California when such op- portunitics are open near home? Ar kansas has no boom, but she has soil, climate and free water for all who choose home within her borders.
 Capital Necessary for New Corners.
 The question arises as regards the smallest sum considered necessary for a new conner to start with. Those who come here to make homes for themselves should have $500 or $1 ,000 to start with, even on the govern ment lands. There will be some years of close effort. Poultry must be kept, vegetables raised, odd jobs of work done for the neighbors. But thus, even on this small capital, a valuable property can be developed in the course of eight or ten years. If pri- vate lands are preferred, it is best to purchase only as much as can certainly be paid for. A small piece of good land is better than a large piece of poor land. Develop this thoroughly and make it profitable, and more land can be had at some future time. Many failures have arisen from at tempting too much. The new settler who deserves success begins at bed rock, keeps out of debt, buys as little as he can, wears his old clothes, works early and late, plants trees and vines for the future, leaves whisky alone, and has a definite aim and plan in life. Such man can come to Arkan- sas with small capital, and find it a "good state for the poor man"-those who are content to work and have home in land where there are no violent extremes of heat and cold, and where the farmer can work in comfort every month in the year.
 No northern man need be deterred from coming to the south from fear that its climate is unhealthy. The facts and the testimony of thousands of northern men show that in point of healthfulness the south loses noth- ing in comparison with the north. The south is not only better adapted to white labor than black, but it is better adapted to white labor than the north is. Our climate is less rig orous in the winter, and it is not so hot in the summer. It is the expe- rience of northern men, now farming in the south, that owing to our cool nights, labor in the south during the summer is less exhaustive than it is in the north. As to the healthfulness of the south, the figures of the cen- sus will show that it compares favor- ably with that of the north. Thou sands of northern men who have amiprated tO the sOuth hava hod po