The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-07-11
Sheep Raissng-woolsn Factories.

Among the various subjects that have
occupied our attention connected with the
rising future of Kansas, has been its
adaptedness to the most remunerative
branch of agriculture.
The tilling of the earth lies at the
foundation of all national wealth, of con-
sequence, indirectly of all individual
wealth. The mechanic changes the
form-the merchant and man of commerce
the place; but the agriculturist alone pro-
duces. At his hands the seed is cast into
the ground. which yields its forty. sixty,
or hundred fold. This class of occupa-
ton must be looked after and cherished,
if We would grow strong in prosperity.
In the substantial departments of this
business, we most confidently affirm that,
taken as whole, no section of the Union
presents more fiattering inducements to
farmers than Kansas. Its soil is equal to
the best parts of the Western States-as
Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, with
surface, in form, and with water, far supe-
rior to either or any of them. In no
Western State is such an opportunity for
good drainage, good wells, good cellars,
and good roads. The streams, such as do
not become altogether dry during the
warm season, have more or less motion,
and some of them are fit for driving mills.
Marshes, such as are fonnd in the Eastern
States, are almost unknown here. A man
who has not dry, wholesome cellar,
well of cool, sweet water, and a good drain
to carry off the filth that may accumulate,
is voluntarily the sufferer. Nature has
afforded every facility.
But the point to which we were de-
signing to call more particular attention,
as, in our opinion, lucrative branch of
agriculture, is the raising of sheep
Kansas, with its high, healthy, rolling
prairies, is the favored spot for this bust
ness. A coarse article of woolis imported
from Santa Fe, by the traders, to various
points in Missouri. and sold at great profit.
| If such an article as is brought from there
can be transported at profit, a superior
article can most assuredly be grown here
at greater profit. The soil, water and
climate aro oil favorable
To meet the case, fully, however, fac
tories for manufacturing the raw material
should be started cotemporarily with the
raising of the sheep. Without doubt, in
country where grass is SO abundant, and
of so rich a quality as in this Territory,
wool can be proftably grown and export
ed, but not to so great an advantage as it
CAN be worked up here. The cloths are
needed right here on the soil. There is
an abundance of coal to work the machine
~, and labor will soon be plenty enough,
for we are in n fair way of receiving
sail mankind" beside large portion of
Europe. There is no reason, as regards
the character of the country, why sheep
should do better than cattle, hogs or
horses, but their products are more read
lily transported, or made an article of mer-
chahdize by being manufactured in the
country. We would invite the earnest
attention of capitalists, and of our farm
ers, to this matter. Let the factory and
the production of the raw material COM
mence together, and retain the money in
the country, rather than sending it East
for this great staple of everyday use.