The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-29
AGRICULTURAL.
Horticulture in Missouri,

farmers meetings along the Rock Island railway from St. Louis to Kansas City, believe that our readers would be inter- ested in learning something of agricul- tural conditions as l found them in this section. The Rock Island line built this link here, connecting two great cities of Missouri by another line and at the same time forming a through Rock Island con- nection from St. Louis to the far west. This line traverses a section of country heretofore remote from any railroad, country where the people were largely cut off from outside connection with the world and where their only mode of travel was by teamng.
 This new line. three hundred miles long, passes through great variety or soils. Much of this country Is mountainous, but very fertile. and there is not much lana that cannot be used in growing crops, grass fruits, grains or vegetables. while live stock can be grown here at a great profit. This is an ideal country Tor the sheep and dairy industries. and is a coun- try where cheese can and should pt made a great manufacturing industry. Very ht- tie attention has ever been given to asrl. culture in this section, and none at all to improved methods of farming. The con ditions generally, as I found them here. were something of a surprise Here is section of country larger than some Of our states, situated In the heart of great agricultural state a state nearly loo years old. and yet this is practically a new country.
 Has Three Big Cities.
 This section has three of the leading. cities of the United States, St. Louis, Chi cago and Kansas City, all three offering tine grea test markets for everything pro- duced on the farm. yet the people living in this sparsely settled section seem to have lived oblivious to these facts. They seem to have lived contented. not know Ing or feeling the need of so many things that others feel that they must have In sections where fashion. pride and scram- ble for the almighty dollar is the rule. Contentment makes riches and the old saying "Where ignorance Is bliss tis folly to be wiSe,' comes as near being true or this as any country that I ever travelled through. While these people, many or them have not troubled themselves very much about the outside world, yet they are as a rule. an intelligent and up-to- date people. They are kind very nos pitable people and I want to say that I have never been better treated anywhere by any people or ever met with a more appreciative crowd of listeners to what had to say.
 The better element of the people realize that the coming of this railroad means a new order of things, that the country
  system of farming will take the place or the old and they begin to feel the im- portance of joining the progressive move ment in order, that they may not be left out.
 4nIIere new towns are springlng up all along the line and some of these arc building on land that was sold for taxes only a few years ago But the reader must not conclude that because these lands sold for taxes they are poor and worthless They are mostly fertile and produce nearly all the clovers and many kinds of tame grasses. Alfalfa can be grown to perfection, while Melitotus is growing wild along the road sides. Or chard grass. English blue grass and Tim othy are to be seen growing everywhere. These lands are nearly all well adapted for large line of fruits. apples. pears. peaches. pums, cherries. grapes and strawberries, while the blackberry Is in great evidence everywhere. growing wild and producing enormous crops. l saw many ideal locations for commercial ap pie orchards. A
 Drained By Three Rivers.
 So far in the history of agriculture and horticulture, only the valleys have, as rule, been cleared and put into cutiva- tion. while the rich timber lands are covered with a great variety of timber, the oak is being found In abundance. This country is drained by beautiful rivers. the Osage, Gasconade and Merrimac be- ing the largest The waters of these streams are full of fine nsh while in the woods there is much game. There are some deer, wild turkey, squirrels, coons. foxes. opossums. wood chucks and quail are yet plentiful. This section is the hunters paradise and many sportsmen from the cities come and camp here for weeks hunting and fishing.
 The supposltion is that this is to be- come a great mining country. I saw fine, rich samples of coal. lead, jack or zinc ore. and one man told me that he had d vein of coal seventy-two feet thick. Like farming, the mining industry Is in it's infancy.
 So far the efforts that have been made in farming have been along the lines of growing corn wheat and stock to eat the wild grass and grains. The poultry business has received more attention. perhaps, than any other industry in this section The chief trade Is in stock poul- try. timber hides and furs. Several can ming plants are now under construction and the dairy industry is beginning to re- ceive attention. No doubt, our readers. like myself, on making this trip will be surprised to learn that we have here in this country the center of the United States. so rich section with such great possibilities. This all goes to show how little many of us know about our own country.
 So far as beauty Is concerned, there is much here to please the most fastidious. could spend time and write pages of the natural scenery to be found in this section of the mountains. rivers. forests and of the beautiful sweet scented. wild flowers that are ready everywhere to greet the stranger with fragrance and fresh ness found only in flowers growing along the banks of the clear. cool. mountain streams. But I shall not take up the reader's time now with further descrin tion of this enchanted section, only clos ing with the wish that some day I may return when I can have more time for enjoying all its beautiful features.
 AGRICULTURAL NEWS.
 As stated last week. have tied up our educational car for few weeks so that