A FEW ITEMS FOR SETTLERS. 493 



passes through the counties of St. Louis, Franklin, Gasconade, Osage, 

 Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Cooper, Pettis, Johnson, Cass and Jackson. 

 Its branches extend south of St. Louis through the southeast part of the 

 state, and along the Missouri river through the famous counties of 

 Cooper, Saline, La Fayette, Jackson and as far north as St Joseph, in 

 Buchanan county. Also through part of that rich portion known as 

 southwest Missouri, comprising the counties of Jasper, Barton, Vernon 

 and Bates. 



Large volumes describing the richness, natural advantages and 

 superiority may be written of that part of Missouri traversed by the 

 Missouri Pacific railroad, and much would be left untold. Suffice it to 

 say that it represents the choicest parts of the state. And great old 

 Missouri stands to-day, with her untold riches and natural advantages, 

 as the best and grandest state in the Union. 



The horticultural interest, which is yet in its infancy of develop- 

 ment, must some day become a leading feature of Missouri's greatness. 

 Lands suitable, can yet be purchased for prices to suit all, ranging from 

 two dollars per acre upwards, according to location ; and there is noth- 

 ing that will surer reward both capital and labor as the planting of large, 

 commercial apple orchards. Hundreds of thousands of barrels of apples 

 are shipped out annually — and if of the right varieties, all (and many 

 more) can find ready and paying markets ; and with our present railroad 

 shipping facilities and new railroads, prospective, with the rapid grow- 

 ing southwest, west and northwest to supply, we shall never see the 

 time when commercial apple growing in Missouri shall fail to be 

 profitable. 



C. C. BELL. 



BOONVILLE. 



