94 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL RErORT. 



year, while a season of prolong-cd droutli has been known to occur once 

 in twenty years and then it was generally throughout the western coun- 

 try. The sunshine which prevails to an unusual extent at all seasons of 

 the year, conduces not only to the health of all animal life, but insures 

 the best results and conditions in the agricultural and pastoral regions. 

 Crop failures are almost unknown, and the devastation of cattle by dis- 

 eases which prevail in less favorable climates, are unheard of in Missouri. 



The prevailing winds are from the south and southwest in summer, 

 but are so evenly tempered by the high ranges and timbered lands of the 

 Ozarks that they are nearly always refreshing and cool. Those from the 

 southwest, west and northwest frequently bringing with them the rain 

 and thunderstorm, but not more than once in a decade do they approach 

 the celerity of a tornado. In the winter the variation is even less marked ; 

 the winds from the north and northwest are keen and bracing, bringing 

 frequent snow flurries and occasional heavy falls of snow, but the bliz- 

 zard is as rare a factor in Missouri climatic conditions as the tornado or 

 cyclone, so prevalent in states further north and west. 



What greater inducements can be offered the farmer than a climate 

 where the productive soil revels in the sunshine of an even tempered sum- 

 mer, followed by a short, mild and open winter, and with a rainfall of 

 41 inches, our climate is a dry one. While showers are heavy, rainfalls 

 frequent in certain seasons, the moisture is rapidly absorbed. This is due 

 to the undulating surface of the soil so peculiarly characteristic of Mis- 

 souri land. 



The soil of Missouri has always been noted for its productiveness, 

 and the homeseeker is assured that honest labor and industry will in- 

 ' variably produce a remunerative crop, whether of grain, fruits, vegetables 

 or even cotton. 



The State has in all 42,625,600 acres, the greater part of which is 

 peculiarly adapted to agricultural and horticultural purposes, and offers 

 promising inducements for farmers who will combine economy with 

 industry. 



The State Board of Immigration sums up the resources as follows : 



"Missouri fruit crops surpass those of Florida. South Missouri is 

 the land of big red apples. 



"Missouri mules and horses are finer than those of Kentucky. In 

 the production of poultry she leads the world. 



"There is more coal in Missouri than in Illinois ; more iron than in 

 Pennsylvania, more building stone than in Vermont. The output of lead 

 and zinc is worth more in one year than all Colorado's mined silver. 



"It is essentially the land of wild grasses and the adopted home of 

 the famous blue grass. 



