The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-13

formerly from Poweshiek county, Iowa. |
He frankly admits that Iowa is one OF
the best states in the union, but at the
same time contends that it has not the
opportunities for the honeSeeker pos |
sessed by his section of Missouri. -
There are many reasons for this" says
Mr.. Stilwell. First. we have the most
delightful climate: Second, Laclede coun
ty and this section OF Missouri are the
greatest apple-producing regions in the
United States. Third, we can raise as
much wheat, corn, oats and, in fact, all
the cereals, as any spot on earth. We
have the purest Of spring and mineral!
water, and in this connection Lebanon is
widely celebrated for its magnetic water.
Our people are healthy and prosperous
and content with their lot, being at the
same time progressive and energetic"
A. K. Wick, the junior of the firm, is
a native of Illinois and was formerly in
the lumber business in Whiteside county.
He went to Laclede county In 1899 and
has never had cause to regret the change.
He says: 'In no other country will a.
single apple crop pay for the land and
all expenses Of production. Our climate
| is equal to Colorados. Illinois is a pretty
good state, but prefer Missouri. Apples
are not the only crop, for we led all other
states in 1902 in the yield of corn to the
acre. .'.E.:.
| j. E. Crow, the other member of the
| firm, was born and reared in Missouri
| and knows just what the state has done
| and can do. He vouches for the climate,
which he says is even and moderate the
| year round, with no danger Of freezing in
| the winter or succumbing to sunstroke
! in the summer Buying land in this
country, he says. "is like buying young
stock: it grows into money day and night.
| We have more sunshine, purer air, bet
ter water and happier people than any
other locality on the map.
Profits In Fruit Farming.
To illustrate the large profits In fruit
farming, reference is made here to the
! experience of Mr.. Wick, who bought a
twenty-three acre orchard in 1900. Upon
this his apple crop amounted to S42 bar
rels and he was offered $2,100 for 1t on
track at Lebanon. This well demon
strates the earning power of the soil.
Another profitable; industry is the rails
ing Of Angora goats, which are Of great
help In clearing new cut t1mper lano
;, and which are fast coming into favor In
various parts Of the United States. La
clede county at the present time is at
tracting the attention OF investors as far
. west as California.
: A 5000 Acre Orchard.
CAPITALISTS from Des Moines, Iowa, have
recently purchased 5000 acres TO be put tt
0 one vast orchard--4,000 acres In apples ant
: 900 acres in peaches. This tract Of lant
: is three, miles east Of Lebanon and wa
h selected after touring southwest Missouri
g and Oklahoma for a site and the soil be
q ing passed on by an expert horticulturist
o. S. K Hazeiine sold the crop from 140
: acre orchard (not the land) for $14, 300
d Later sold more Of his vast crop aggregat
ing $5.400 worth.
e A. K Wick raised S2,100 worth from
e 23-acre 9-year-old orchard
a w. r. Flourney sold his crop from hi
}, 90-acre sorchard for $4,000 and in fou
: years has sold $4,000 worth.
n B. Logan sold his crop from twenty acre
s for $1.750.
d William Menogue sold his crop fror
Il seven acres for 500.
g Robert Bolton sold his crop from four
teen acres fer $1,700.
E. r. Clough, who offered his crop 70
II $4,000, found upon gathering that he ha
= about $4,000 worth Of fruit