Untitled article by Jesse Hirstand

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, September 24, 1867

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 15

CRAWFORD CO., ILL.

By Jesse Hirstand

As many brethren have requested me to give a description of the part of the country in which I am located, Palestine, Crawford Co., Ill., as regards health and fruit growing, I take this method of answering their inquiries.

We enjoy good health, especially since we have adopted the Health Reform. We consider this climate healthy.

I think this as good a fruit-growing country as can be found in the United States. We raise good winter and spring wheat, and corn in abundance. Peaches grow here as naturally as crab apples, and are now worth 25 cts. per bushel. Blackberries grow without cultivation, and in such abundance that we gather them by tubfuls and wagon-loads. Strawberries grow to great perfection. Plums grow in large quantities wild, and of excellent quality. Fruits of every description can be raised here, and even cotton. The climate is pleasant, about the same as that of Cincinnati.

The soil is sandy loam, very pleasant to farm. Face of country, rolling prairie. Timber is very plenty, and of the best kind.

Prairie land, improved, is worth from $20 to $40 per acre. Timber land, from $10 to $20 per acre. Water is soft, and nearly as good as rain water.

This country is called Egypt, I do not know why, unless it is because it is such a fine climate for corn-raising; or perhaps it is so called on account of the moral darkness and pro-slavery proclivities of some of the people.

JESSE HIRSTAND.