timothy and clover, are grown in great profusion and abundance, and is one of the greatest live stock producing counties of the State. There are six railroads crossing the county which have not less than twenty shipping points. Prices of land range from $15 to $100 per acre, governed by quality, location, improvement, etc., which price will be found remarkably low when it is remembered that the northern border of the county is in sight of the smoke of Kansas City. Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, plums, raspberries and strawberries attain their greatest perfection here.

CEDAR COUNTY

Is in the second tier of counties from the Kansas line; the surface is diversified in the eastern part, being somewhat hilly and broken and covered with timber, while in the western portion it is undulating and principally prairie land. The soil is of two kinds, black loam and red mulatto, grain of all kinds peculiar to this latitude growing luxuriantly. The yield of such products as corn, wheat and oats in favorable years is very high, and of unsurpassed quality. For stock purposes it has as many inducements as any portion of the State. Pasturage is good, water pure and abundant, and many well sheltered localities. This is one of the finest fruit regions in the West. By simply planting the trees, an abundance of apples, plums, cherries, pears, etc., are assured, and small fruits of all kinds seem peculiarly adapted to attain their greatest perfection in Cedar county. The selling price of land ranges from $2.50 to $50 per

acre.

There is not a dollar of public indebtedness existing, and taxation is very low. It is well supplied with streams and has abundant water power for manufacturing. Schools receive a large share of public attention; school houses are large and conveniently located and the average term length is seven months. Iron, coal, zinc and lead abound in great quantities, and the mineral springs of Eldorado have already attained great fame as a "health and pleasure resort." No finer timber is found in the State, the quantity is inexhaustible, and consists principally of maple, oak, walnut, hickory and pecan. Here might be established successful furniture and agricultural implement manufactories. The price of timber land ranges from $3 to $8 per acre.

COLE COUNTY

Shares the bounteous gifts which nature has bestowed in southwest Missouri, and its population of late years has been increasing very rapidly. The soil, on account of its limestone basis, is of inexhaustible fertility, easily cultivated and varied in its products. There is abundance of pure water in springs, creeks and rivers, giving it perpetual and abundant supply for flocks and herds, and furnishing excellent drainage over the face of the country. Wheat, rye, corn, barley and oats never fail. Grasses grow in natural and unstinted abundance. All kinds of fruits, vegetables and garden products are of the highest quality, as well as in the greatest abundance. The Missouri washes the northern border and the Osage river flows for nearly 50 miles on the southern and southwestern limits. Of the total area of the county, 240,000 acres, only 70,000 at present are under cultivation, the rest is given over to range and pasture lands. Much of the older land can never be used for any other purpose, but, by careful methods, large quantities of it, ranging in price from $2 to $12, can be brought under successful and profitable cultivation. Churches and schools are well provided in all parts of the county; railroad facilities are unsurpassed, three main lines running into and through the county. Jefferson City, the capital of the State, is located in Cole county. This county is admirably located for dairying and for the raising of sheep and cattle for the markets. There are inexhaustible mines of coal, lead and zinc within the borders of the county.

HENRY COUNTY

Although Missouri was admitted as a State in 1830, it was not until some years after the war that anything of moment was done towards developing this county. It is, properly speaking, a prairie county, amply watered by some 25 streams, whose banks are lined with timber, thus affording abundance of fuel, and that, too, of the best variety, such as black walnut, hickory, pecan, and nearly all the species of oak. The soil is on a limestone base and produces excellent products of almost everything known to this latitude, the staples being corn, wheat, oats and grasses of all kinds. Corn will produce as high as 100 bushels per acre, with good farming, and wheat 40. Fruits do well here and all varieties

known to the Temperate Zone are raised, including apples, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, pears, while grapes and berries are very prolific. Stock raising is a grand success where properly conducted, and

much of the land of this county is specially adapted to this purpose and dairying. Coal is very valuable and large quantities are mined and shipped from the county annually. School and church privileges are

well looked after, the county having a permanent school fund of $52,000. Good, fair farming lands can be purchased at from $18 to $25 per acre; the best lands sometimes run as high as $40, although good, well improved places can be had for $25, according to location. These are all improved lands. Cheaper lands can be obtained as low as $15 per acre, and the greater part of the land of the county is capable of being brought under cultivation. Taxes are very low. Considerable attention is given to creameries and dairying, and there is an exceptional opportunity in the county for investment in various manufactories.

JOHNSON COUNTY,

The fairest spot in this wealthy Commonwealth, is situated in the western central part of the State and contains about 900,000 acres, almost every acre of which is tilled. In 1865, Johnson county was sparsely settled, but it now contains a population of 40,000 people, and an assessed valuation of $11,000,000, and all this has been achieved within the short space of 20 years. It is an undulating plain, cut with numerous streams whose banks are covered with heavy belts of valuable timber. The high soil is of rich loam, from two to eight feet in depth, and is underlaid with limestone. The soil produces numerous crops of wheat, corn, barley, rye and oats. Although a prairie country, it is well supplied with timber, consisting of hickory, oak, elm, ash, honey locust, linden and walnut. Grasses grow luxuriantly, and the blue grass springs up spontaneously as in the famous blue grass regions of Kentucky. In addition to its being an excellent farming country, it is also a successful grazing region and is capable of producing the choicest of fruits of all varieties. Coal of the very best quality is found near the surface and natural gas has been discovered. The price of land varies with its quality and location, from $20, $25, $30 and $35 per acre; farms and very choice locations near town sell for $50. These lands have a greater productive capacity than thousands of farms in the older States that sell for $75 and $100 an acre.

MONITEAU COUNTY

Occupies about the exact center of the State of Missouri, is mainly undulating prairie with a deep, black soil, easy to cultivate, and never failing to yield bountiful returns to intelligent cultivation. Corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, flax and tobacco grow to perfection, as well as all the

tame grasses. Stock raising is extensively carried on and constitutes a great source of wealth for those engaged in it. Live stock diseases are almost entirely unknown here. This seems to be the established home of fine fruits. Thousands of bushels of apples are annually shipped from the county, being better than any other crop. Peaches, pears, plums, cherries, apricots and other varieties of small fruits, repay abundantly the labor of the horticulturist. Coal is found near the surface and is extensively mined. Zinc ore is found in great quantities as well as lead, its co-metal. Clays and building stone are also found. The county is well watered, and forests of valuable oak, walnut, hickory, ash and elm cover a large part of the county, affording excellent opportunities for furniture and farming implement manufactories. Schools are amply provided, all the church denominations are represented, and taxes are light. The county is well supplied with railroads, and farming lands can be bought much cheaper here than in less productive lands in other States.

MORGAN COUNTY

Is rich in all the resources of material prosperity. All the grains, fruits and vegetables are abundantly produced. Pasture lands are luxuriant beyond description. This industry is assisted by the numerous springs, streams and rivers of pure water which flow through the county. The county contains about 14,000 population, from all the Eastern and Northern States. They are hospitable, and give a stranger cordial welcome. Immense crops of apples, peaches, pears, cherries and grapes are annually produced. The winters are mild, and cattle are often able to live during the entire winter with little care and attention. The county is well supplied with railroads, public schools, churches, newspapers, etc. Land can be purchased at from $1.50 to $50 per acre. The lower priced land is only adapted to pasturage, but very fine farming lands are obtainable at prices that would astonish an Eastern land buyer.

PETTIS COUNTY

Is one of the central counties of the State, and Sedalia, the county seat, is the largest of the interior towns between St. Louis and Kansas City. There is but little vacant or unimproved land, but the average price of farming lands are lower than the older States, where no better prices for farm produce or shipping facilities prevail. $25 to $40 per acre will pur