COUNTY REPORTS. 



ANDREW COUNTY 



Is situated in the central part of the Platte purchase, which, before it 

 was improved, was pronounced by Bayard Taylor and Thomas Benton 

 the garden spot of the world, and no other part of this territory can 

 compare with Andrew county in variety of productions and other 

 natural advantages as a farming country. 



Its southern border lies only three miles from St. Joseph, in 

 Buchanan county, a city of 75,000 inhabitants. On the north it is 

 bounded by Nodaway county ; east by Gentry and DeKalb, west by 

 Missouri and Nodaway rivers. Elevation above sea level, about 1000 

 feet. Annual rainfall, 36 inches. 



Three-fourths of the county was originally prairie, with gently 

 rolling land, one-fourth timber and high rolling and partially level 

 bottom land. There is still plenty of timber for all purposes. Besides 

 walnut, elm, hickory, oak, etc., there grows the pawpaw, an indication 

 of fertile soil. 



The soil is a deep, rich, black loam in the prairie, with a calcareous- 

 silicious clay subsoil. In the timber land a black loam, mixed with 

 rich limestone. The subsoil when brought to the surface and allowed 

 to freeze, becomes as fertile as black mold. 



The rivers are the Missouri, Nodaway, Hundred-and-Two and 

 Platte. 



There are many creeks and springs with good water. Wells can 

 be dug anywhere at a depth of liO to 60 feet. 



Limestone for lime, for building and other purposes is abundant. 



Coal has been found here and there, but no need has been felt so 

 far to search for it. 



Wheat of best quality is produced, and yields from 15 to 40 bushels 

 per acre, often as high as 50 bushels ; corn 35 to 75 bushels per acre is 

 a sure crop. All cereals do well ; also potatoes, beets, sorghum, to- 

 bacco, garden trucks, etc., grass, clover being besides the great renew- 



