COUNTY REPORTS. 291 



FOR SEEKERS OF LAND TO GROW FRUIT. 



I am situated in the soutliwest corner of Montgomery county, Mo. 

 The land is hilly or bluffy ; the highest, 500 feet above the river, unon 

 which 1 started a fruit lot. Apples, pears, peaches, grapes and cher- 

 ries flourish about as well as on any other lands in this latitude. 



There are little vales between these bluifs of rich farming land, 

 and the hills are by no means poor. 



In an orchard planted 21 years ago, on a northern and western 

 slope, we had this scarce season a full crop of apples, but not as per- 

 fect as usual. This land had been cropped severely before I got it in 

 possession, yet never got a load of manure. Since I have it some 

 crops of clover have been plowed down. This shows that the land is 

 good naturally. Of such land there are hundreds of acres that can 

 be bought from $2 to $5 per acre; all of which will grow fruit. Some 

 quite rocky, but none too much so for raising good fruit. Here we 

 know nothing of black knot on plum and cherry trees ; no rose-bugs 

 to cut our cherries. Peaches rarely killed when in blossom. 



'a new railroad will be in running order along this side of the river 

 in a few months. Schools are ordinary, and a new house just being 

 famished near here, for which I donated the land, will be used as a 

 •church also, and Sunday school to be allowed. Society is pretty much 

 as we make it. I am not what may be called a society man, and there- 

 fore, will only say that I can find all I need. 



The climate is healthy here; water good; wells easily dug to fresh 

 water ; well impregnated with lime. Hauling fruit to the river is nearly 

 all down grade and easy. The I^ewtown Pippin that is so variable 

 does splendid here. 



These are the facts regarding this region, and to save useless cor- 

 respondence will state that I am no real estate agent, and have no land 

 1o sell. S. Miller, 



Bluffton, Mo. 



OREGON COUNTY. 



This county is traversed by the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Mem- 

 phis railroad, affording good mail, express and passenger rates north 

 and south. 



Thayer, the principal town, has 1500 inhabitants ; has a good brick 

 school-house, with four normal-trained teachers ; three churches, Bap- 

 tist, Congregational and Methodist ; society is good, with all the social 



