THE KANSAS CITY, PITTSBURG & GULF. 



This road, with its branches, passes through more degrees of latitude 

 than any other road of the state. Beginning at Kansas City it goes 

 through some of the most fertile of our rich prairie counties, touches 

 the richest coal, lead and zinc fields in the world, goes up and over to the 

 southern slope of the Ozark mountains, and crosses the most beautiful 

 streams and by the clearest springs of pure water, until it leaves the 

 state close to its western line. It runs through the counties of Jackson, 

 Cass, Bates, Vernon, Barton, Jasper, ISTewton, and McDonald. While 

 there are thousands of rich prairie farms along it, yet we find also other 

 thousands of choice fruit locations awaiting only their development. 

 Lands on the Ozark mountains are still to be had cheaply, $5 to $15 per 

 acre, and these lands will make homes and orchards for hundreds of 

 men before many years. Along this line is the largest orchard in the 

 United States, owned by the Ozark Orchard Co., of Kansas City, and 

 embracing 2,300 acres — 33,000 peach and 133,000 apple trees, all from 

 one to five years old. 



These Ozark hills are full of minerals, but the best money to be had 

 out of them will be for the fruits they will produce. Although lying 

 about latitude 37 degrees, yet the altitude of 1,500 feet gives a climate 

 cool enough for the best maturing of the apple; and the soil has iron 

 and lime enough to give the best color to our fruitiS, as well as the best 

 quality. The pears and peaches are so far ahead of the California 

 fruits that one has only to taste to be satisfied. The peculiar location 

 of this country, its elevation, freedom from heavy winds, abundance of 

 rainfall, protection by the highest peaks and pine timber, peculiar red 

 lands (always fruit lands), the many streams and springs, nearness to 

 market, quick communication, low price of land, groArth of timber, all 

 prove to me that this is one of tlie most favored parts for fruit growing. 



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