Situated in the
south-western part of the State, is, topographically speaking,
higher than any of the adjacent country, and the streams are all
clear and rapid.
The prairies are large, rich and beautiful, skirted by timber
along the streams, and in small groves.
Occasional “barrens” intervene which are stony and sparsely
timbered. Though timber is not very abundant, there is
sufficient for all practical purposes.
The elevated ridges, erroneously named “Ozark mountains”, extend
through this county. The soil is not as deep and fertile as in many portions of the
State, yet it is considered a good agricultural district and is
well adapted to the culture of all kind of cereals, grasses, and
produces an abundant yield of fruit.
It is peculiarly adapted to grape culture, and the neglected
“barrens” contain all the elements to insure success in vine
growing, and with proper management would yield a greater profit
than many of the farms that produce 25 to 30 bushels of wheat to
the acre. Peaches grow large, and seldom fail.
The country is well watered, as is shown upon the map, besides
large springs of clear, cold water are abundant, some of which
furnish excellent water power for manufacturing. Of minerals, there are beds of iron, copper and lead, but no
systematic mining has yet been done.
The Southwest Branch of the Pacific railroad will traverse the
county when completed. The variety of soil, mild and healthy-climate, advantageous
natural position and certain market for all farm products, and
remunerative wages for all kinds of labor are inducements which
immigrants should not overlook.
