The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1905-01-12
As SEEN BY AN OUTSIDER
The Gdilor Of The Ncstern fruit-Growes
Writes Of Tssey County.

man who has large Interests and un'
bounded faith in fancy county, Mis-
souri,. We RECENTLY msde weeks drive
TO that wonderland Of the Ozarks,
starting from Springfield one brigh,
October morning.
As thousands are interested 10
Taney county, and as that region Is
now entering upon a new era Of de.
yelopment and, furthermore, a. this
drive Of 80 miles was undertaken for
the purpose Of Investigating the hof.
iicultural resources Of the county, we
will give report Of what we saw and
heard
Branson, the new town on the White
river railroad, was 10 be our first stop
ping point, but our team could not
cover The 10 miles Of distance In ono
day.
The fret town on the route II Nixa,
Christian county, an attractive village,
with prosperity 10 and around Il. It's
canning factory made a large tomato
pack this season. The farms sll along
evidence good management and thrift.
Between Nixa and Springfield flow the
james river and Finley creek, and there
are some grand viewsfrom the highest
points along the road: one 10 particular
Is that Of the town OF Ozark, sixteen
miles to the southeast. the county seat
OF Christian county. Nearly every
house In the place Is In view.
II was two o'clock when we pro.
cccded from Highlandville, and il be-
came doubtful about reaching Bran.
son, forty miles away, that day. Al
sundown on the Roark creek hills, in
a umbered country, without moon or
lantern 10 guide us over the rocky,
quilted road, IL looked az II we might
have W tie the horses 10 tree and
that we must sleep In the buggy. But
we pressed on, our ST. Louis friend
walking ahead In the middle OF the
road as guide. Finally we came to
"a house and IL seemed as II refresh.
ments we're at hand, but cautious re.
cOnnoi,ering demonstrated that the
place war uuinhabited and the doors
we're locked. So the descent OF the
mountains was resumed. Presently a
light was seen and our ''hellon was
answered. We had arrived at w. w.
Walden's where, though the house is
small and there are ten in the family,
VIC were told we could stay. and, late
as II was, the good woman prepared
an excellent supper for US.
Mr.. Walden was just the man we
were anxious 10 iDterrogate, being q
horticuturist by nature, though lin.
tied IN practice because Of heretofore
distance from Il railroad. In few
weeks the Missouri Pacific trains will
cross his land. He Is native OF Ala.
bama, was raised la North Carolina,
lived on the Pacific coast aud on the
Plains before be found his present
home in "Old fancy" where be has
made farm on a Wooded slope that
produces about everything desired.
He says:
"Apples will do we'll If borers are
kept out Of the trees" He hes seed
ling OF merit, season August - 70
september ~, which has sold In Spring.
field at s2OOa busbei; color green with
yellowish tint, size Of Missouri pippin.
Jonathans and WiDesaps do well. Mr..
Walden says pears do finely, no blight,
bear regularly. He told US Of some
apple trees close by planted seventy
years ago byJ. NJ. May, who brought
the stock with him from the east,
Some Of the trees were in vigorous
bearing when, in grading the tracks,
the contractors had 70 blow out The
trees from the roadway. A record Of
three score years and Ten, with hardly
fruit failure, answer the question:
"Is this an apple countryY"
Grapes, Mr. Walden ,estiiies, are
natural product OF the country. There
are many choice seedlings. He gath.
cred wagon l0ad' from single wild
grape vine, and bic made 100 gallons
Of wine one season.
Next morning We soon reached the
new railroad and arrived at Branson
by ten o'clock. On the way we met
VIM. Maddux, who 10 his eighteen
years has known Of but one peach
failure. Pears have as good record;
10 have grapes
Vernon G. Todd, who lived for some
time 10 Springfield before he and his
accomplished wife moved 10 Taney
County, welcomed his ST. Louis friend
and the writer, and their house was
home TO Us while we remained 10
BraDsOn.
Mr.. Todd spent the most OF two days
showing the country about the new
railroad town. Much has been said
about the White river couptry--of the
grand and beautiful scenery There