GEOLOGICAL REPORT. 25 



been once thoroughly broken up by the plough, they are no 

 longer so, but form desirable farming lands. The most exten- 

 sive "flats " lie between the Gasconade, Robideaux, and Big 

 Piney, and east of the latter stream ; they also frequently oc- 

 cur on the ridges in the northern part of the county. The val- 

 leys of the principal streams are from a few hundred yards to a 

 mile wide, and are remarkable for the fertility of their soils. 

 Indeed, they may be grouped with the very finest soils of our 

 State for the culture of corn, and after being partially exhausted 

 are well adapted to the growth of wheat and other species of 

 small grain. The soils of the smaller valleys are also quite 

 productive, and many of the choicest farms of the county are 

 here located. They do not usually exceed a quarter of a mile 

 in width, but often extend for several miles in length, and are 

 then known as " Prairie Hollows.'''' The next in point of fer- 

 tility are the soils of the uplands, underlaid by the 2d Magnesian 

 Limestone, and the poorest are those overlying the 2d Sand- 

 stone and cherty beds of the 3d Magnesian Limestone. 



" La Clede County. In its topography this county is very 

 similar to Crawford and Wright, exhibiting great diversity of 

 surface. In the vicinity of the Big Niangua, Gasconade and 

 Osage Fork, the hills range from one hundred and fifty to five 

 hundred feet in height, and are separated from each other by 

 deep and narrow valleys. But after we leave these streams a 

 short distance, the face of the country assumes a less broken 

 aspect, and as we approach the summit level, we find mod- 

 erately rolling oak lands and broad oak flats, in which may be 

 located many productive and desirable farms. Between the 

 Osage Fork and Gasconade the Pacific Railroad passes over a 

 broad and fertile district of undulating oak openings, inter- 

 rupted by extensive prairies. The valleys of these streams are 

 from a quarter of a mile to one mile wide. They possess soils 

 whose richness can scarcely be surpassed, and support a heavy 

 growth of the finest kinds of timber. The valleys of the small 

 branches are also highly arable. Those of Goodwin Hollow, 

 Bear, Mill, Cobbs, Prairie, and Brush creeks, afford numerous 

 excellent farms. 



"Wright Counti/. The surface is hilly and occasionally 

 rough and broken. The elevation of the hills ranges from fifty 

 to four hundred and fifty feet above the adjacent streams. Most 



