Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-04-09
OF KANSAS.
THE SOIL.

The soil OF Kansas Is OF a very Su-
perior character, consisting of black
loan from two to six feet in thickness
in some places slightly mixed with sand
and is well calculated to Withstand
drouth, and is also very fertile. This is
equally true of both bottoms and uplands.
During the last summer there was a
drouth of some six weeks duration, yet
corn and other crops that were planted
on ground broken the season previously,
suffered comparatively little.
THE CLIMATE.
The climate of Kansas, as is pronounced
by persons who have visited the various
portions of our country, to be the finest
to be found any where on this Continent
that of California not excepted. In
the summer the mercury frequently rises
to 100 in the shade; but it is not sultry,
as there are almost constant breezes STIR
ring, which make it comparatively COM
Portable in the hottest weather. We are
informed by persons who have lived here
for the past fifteen or twenty years, that
droughts are very rare. The climate is
well adapted to the raising of all kinds of
grain and fruit-no damage scarcely ever
being experienced from frost, and both
maturing with great rapidity. The win
ters are usually very dry and mild. The
present one is said to be fair specimen
of those experienced here for the past
twenty years. AT this writing (Janua-
ry 15th) the weather is mild, and the air
as balmy as that of spring morning
There has been no weather since the
first of December so cold that carpenters
and masons have not been able to follow
| fort. while cattle find their subsistence III
the woods and on the prairies. The
cold weather of Kansas winters usually
commences about the first Of February,
and continues until the middle or last Of
March-seldom exceeding two months
in length-and even then not being so
severe as those east of the Mississippi.
During this time high winds are gener-
ally experienced, which, to new comers,
are usually quite as disagreeable as the
severe cold of the East, but the expert
ence of one winter usually divests these
winds Of their disagreeableness. The
seasons are some weeks earlier thar
those of Ohio, New York, and the State;
farther east, and the climate much mild
er than any of those lying east of the
Mississippi, and also than that of Ne
braska. Very little snow ever falls here
in fact, the whole influence of the eli
mate is invigorating.
TIMER, STONE AND COAL.
Much has been said in regard to th'
q scarcity of timber in Kansas, and enougI
n to lead many persons to suppose tha
there was so great a scarcity that prairi
: farms would be of scarcely any value
# Although timber is, to certain exten
4 scarce, yet with prudence and econom
there is sufficient in Kansas to supply a
n necessary demands. The scarcity {
m timber is made up to great extent b
=, the presence Of stone and coal. Ih
- brmer is found in great quantities in a
= portions of the Territory, frequently ou
:. cropping from the soil on the hills an
bluffs. II is of character well adapte
- to erecting what are called "concrett
houses. and of which great numbers al
% % being built, being preferable for cheal
>. ness and durability to frame houses
- Coal has been found in many portions
=. the Territory, and Il is believed will
or found to exist in quantities sufficient t
70 supplying all the demand. Good bri'
v- clay is also found in allparts, as also go
n sand for plastering, etc.
a1 WATER.
,pt The Territory is traversed by streal
Is in all directions-most OF them, howeV
aid with the exception Of the Kaw, osa
ew and Neosho rivers, being comparative
icy small, and frequently going dry DUR
i'm the hot summer months. or sprIn
eir there are some in every section OF
ate country, but they do not exist IN gr
ion numbers. Good water is usually
-ew tanned by digging from twenty to
aen feet. There are greater number
est, springs of cold pellucid water in ID
but phan county than in any other section
sed the Territory.