Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-02-10

up possession of that part of our coun-
try known as the "Louisiana Pur-
chase" the first step was taken to-
ward opening up this beautiful, fertile
Countrywide Great West. Not many,
however, have any true appreciation
Of the intrepidity of the pioneers who
ventured into what ia now known as
Missouri, and who disputed with the
red man and the buffalo for every
foot of land. Space does not permit
of our giving a detailed account of
the development of this tiourishing
section, which possesses such an I'M
limited field to writers, but we must
rather confine ourselves to a moderate
recital of the fertility of the soil of
Peerless Audrain county and its ad-
vantages for home-seekers, aiming to
confine ourselves to facts, which,
although they may appear somewhat
overdrawn to the stranger, will still
be recognized as a truthful descrip-
ton by those who have resided in the
county.
HISTORICAL.
1t was not until December, 1886,
that the county of Audrain was form
ally organized. 1t was named after
Colonel James H. Audrain, one of
the pioneers of Missouri, and noted
for his efforts in improving the country.
TOPOGRAPHY.
Audrain county contains an area of
800 square miles or AL 900 acres. The
surface OF the county is diversified,
about three fourths of it comprising
prairie land located at the summit
level, on the margin of which the
county dips outward and downward
in o~upnnQfhu uufth TIM lfunnrirov xryotnv
courses, while here and there along
the larger streams may be seen a
range of low hills with occasional out
groupings of lime rock; still, the gen.
raj aspect of the landscape is pastoral.
TIMBER.
The surface is weIl-covered with a
fine growth of timber, furnishing a
plentiful supply for all purposes.
COAL.
The "black diamond, is found in
every municipal township in the
county, the yield being that of BIZ
luminous. These coal deposits mean
the location of large industries in this
section in the future. At present this
industry is only in its infancy, the
few mines that are working being
mainly for local consumption,
although there were shipped in 1896
1880 tons.
The soil of this county is all suitable
for producing crops, for it is all good,
nj will amply repay the labor be-
slowed on it. 1t is the pride and
boast of the Audrain county farmer
That he can grow in perfection every
grain, vegetable, grass, plant and
fruit tina fourishes between the
northern limits of the cotton fields
and the Red River OF the North.
STOCK RAISING.
Cattle-growing and feeding in con-
nection with swine-raising is the
leading industry of the couatry. High
grade Shorthorns of model types,
bred from the best beef-getting stock,
are kept by many of the growers and
feeders, the steers being grazed dur
ing the warm months, after which
they are fall-fed and turned off during
The winter and spring weighing from
1,40O to 2,40O pounds, the heavier
animals going to European buyers.
These steers are fed in conjunction
with model Berkshire and Poland
China pigs, which fatten perfectly on
droppings and litter of the feed yard,
and go to market weighing $50 to 400
pounds at ten to fourteen months
old. The following shows the number
OF cattle, sheep and hogs shipped
from the county in 1896: Cattle,
1900 head; hogs, 53,343 head; sheep,
10,9S0 head.
HORSES AND MULES.
No business pays better than raising
good horses and mules, and this ia a
favorite industry with Audrain Coun-
ty farmers, the large surplus going
mainly to the Southern markets each
year. In 1896 there were shipped
2,l0O head. The possibilities of this
industry are unbounded.
WHEAT.
Wheat grows we'll in this county.
Nothing but winter wheat is sown.
and the yield will average 20 to 80
bushels per acre.
Corn has always been a staple in
Audrain County, the yield going as
high as so to so shelled bushels to an
acre.
BLUE GRASS.
This splendid skiing of grasses"
which, in this mild climate, makes a
luxuriant early spring and autumn
growth, Is appropriately supplement-
ed by white clover, which is also to
the "manor born" With these two
grasses, followed by orchard grass,
for winter grazing, the farmers of Au-
drain County have the most desirable
of stock raising conditions. These
meadows give a heavy growth of hay
and seed, both of which are largely
and profitably grown from export.
AUDRAIN FRUITS.
The fruit industry of Audrain Coun-
ty cannot be excelled. Nowhere in
the State can a greater abundance of
all kinds of fruits Do grown. In trav-
cling over the county we find some
fine young orchards. Audrain not
only produces apples, but peaches as
well. Cherries and plums also do we'll
here; strawberries, r%aspberries and
blackberries are at home and pay well,
sometimes netting h growers 800
per acre. We will say in conclusion
that il you want to grow fruit, and
that profitably, come to Audrain Coun-
ty and reap the harvest of our fertile
hills and valleys.
OTHER CROPS.
Did space permit we might almost
enlarge indefinitely on the productive
ness Of this land, but suffice to say that
all the cereals are grown-vegetabIes,
including irish potatoes, sweet pota-
toes, cabbage, tomatoes, &C.; produce
In abundance, while among fruits the
grape, peach, apple, plum and all
small fruits find genial surroundings.
Audrain County's fine farms are
too large and new corners are needed
In order to divide them up; thus
be had the best of lands at low prices,
lands that will double in price in a
few years; where you will be among a
hospitable, cultured people who well
come all new corners; where your
labor will bring good reward, and
where one can live, enjoying the COM
forts and blessings of society. Here
10 q country richer In agricultural and
mineral wealth than the tabled lands
of poesy, awaiting to be titled by the
brawny hand of labor or tapped by
the magic influence of capital, and il
will repay q hundred fold the efforts
made In either direction.