486 MISSUUKl STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



further proof is afforded by bearing orchards at many points along the 

 way. At Cedar Gap, in Wright County, the highest altitude of the 

 entire range is reached, i,8oo feet above sea level. We commend the 

 good taste, wisdom and enterprise of Col. Erb, of Memphis, in his 

 selection of this point for a summer resort for his family and select 

 friends. It is most romantic, wild and captivating in the scenery of its 

 wide surroundings, and atmosphere as pure and clear as their drinking 

 water from his spring in the park, which he has named "Cassano." Mr. 

 Erb, to wed business with pleasure, has planted a fruit farm of 

 200 acres, to be still enlarged. He has recently purchased here the 

 Lake View fruit farm, planted by Capt. Foote. This he is enlarging and 

 otherwise improving. Mr. E. so possesses the elements of success as to 

 leave no doubt of the influence of his example upon those who will, 

 wisely, soon follow in the fruit enterprise on these high lands. 



From Cedar Gap south-eastward, we realize a gentle slope toward 

 the "Father of the Waters" yet far away. We enter Howell County at 

 its northwest corner and pass out at its southeast corner, at the head of 

 Spring River, in Oregon County. We are now in the peach belt proper. 

 The peach is grown with profit on all the Ozark range, but this south- 

 eastern slope is destined, soon, to be termed the peach belt, or "peach 

 fields" of Missouri. From the first settlement of these counties, peaches 

 of excellent quality grew accidentally inside of almost all enclosures. 

 This was very suggestive, and it is now proposed to make Howell the 

 banner county in peach culture. The apple also succeeds here to per- 

 fection, and so of all fruits, common anywhere within the Temperate 

 Zone. 



At many points in Howell and Oregon, experienced fruit growers 

 have entered into the business with such good faith, energy and system, 

 as to prove already that the necessary conditions naturally exist here. 

 Such are not only making valuable developments for others to use, but 

 are slowly, almost unintentionally and surely writing horticultural history 

 and record for this country, soon to be read and known extensively. 



The largest enterprise of this kind is near the center of the county 

 at Olden, by the "Olden Fruit Company," who are devoting 2,500 acres 

 of selected land in a body on both sides of the railroad, to fruit growing. 

 The tract is enlarged as opportunity occurs and is being subdued and 

 systematically planted as fast as it can be done well. Every year 

 thousands of trees are added and all kept under good cultivation. 

 Apples are planted largely and pears freely, but the peach most largely, 

 of which, in its best varieties, about fifty thousand trees are already^ 

 growing and as many as half that number fruiting satisfactorily. 



