The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-05-31
COMMUNICATIONS.
NOYD9 OR ATe0 ~
NO. I.
KANS a 8.


full locations 1t is too much broken. how
ever to be generally desirable for farming
purposes; but after passing a few miles from
the citr we reach the prairies, which are
beautifully undulating, and divided by
small streams. along which plenty Of timber
is found. Springs are frequent, and 90
lank <.f .--.~-----rr-----.tr tri~ 49, 30 -ory
black aud rich. not less than eighteen inches
deep. to the clay. and generally more; it
is very light and readily blows about with
the wind. Rain is much less frequent
than in Indiana, and the roads, it is said,
do not often become muddy, as the clear
sun and winds dry up the water
still vegi iation houishes we'll. The present
season has. however, been an unusually
dry one. and praiiie grass is shor;er than
is usual at this season OF the year. The
country is admirably adapted to raising corn
and stock. The grass on the praries afford
abundant subsistence for the cattle and
horses for seven eight months in the year,
without other feed, and they thrive and
fatten upon it quite as well as upon blue
grass pastures--for the remaining four or
FIVE months they require feeding. Blue
grass. timothy. and clover flourish WELL as
several large fields about Fort Leavenworth
conclusively indicate. Fall wheat, ordinari
ly. does well. but the present season has
been too dry for it. Spring wheat and oats
yield we'll There is an abundance of tim
Der for all necessary purposes, and stone
coal is found near Leavenworth and at
many other points in the Territory. The
country is. beyond description. beautiful.
and most Of the views exceed in beauty
the finest paintings. The air being clear
and transparent. objects can be seen at a
great distance. and when upon an elevated
point a magnificent panorama is spread out
before you. lis great productiveness makes
it unequalled by any country the writer
ever saw for farming purposes. The winds
are frequently unpleasant. end at times so
high as to render it extremely disagreeable,
aud to cover every thing in the houses with
the fine. black. loose soil; but generally
they are not disagreeable, and the gentle
breeze, which almost constantly blows, is
pleasant and bracing. Having much less
rain, they are not troubled with SO many
cold. raw. damp days as we have in In
diana. The streams run low and the eros
sing is usually difficult, on which account
the roads will always be more difficult to
make, and the travelling less speedy than
III level country. Near the streams, ague
prevails To a considerable extent, at some
seasons of the year; but upon the elevated
prairie there is every reason TO believe the
health will be good when the country be-
comes settled. The breaking OF so large
an extent OF prairie. and the decay of
much Vegetable matter, together with the
exposed manner in which many live, causes
some chills in the Fall. Abundance Of
bniidins stona is t"nrd and uron almost
every quarter-section there is enough to
build houses, fences. &c. Emigrants from
Indiana can scarcely realize how little wood
is requisite in such a country. Fer several
uiles out of Leavenworth the farms are
well settled and fenced. and good buildings
erected. The road passes between high
.ences, and everything has the appearance
of an old settled country, but farther from
the city most Of the settlers still live IN
cabins or small frame houses. l have never
seen SO desirable a country for farmers with
small means; the proximity Of the Missouri
River and Leayenworth City, makes good
market for all the produce they csn raise,
at prices about as good as can be Obtained
in Richmond. Any one of Industrious
convenience. for while, Of small and un-
comfortable houses. can soon procure a
home, which will be constantly increasing
in value. and give the promise of a COM
sons who are well settled in Indiana, had
better remsin where they are. as removal
causes a change of habits Of life and of
society. which is not always agreeable; but
there are hundreds who are laboring with
small means and poor prospects ahead,
whose condition might be greately benefited
by q removal to Kansas. the reverse in
times has effected that country favorably.
by reducing the price of land. and opening
the way for actual settlers. who are now
rapidly pouring in. They want no more
professional m n. merchants. gentlemen. OF
loafers, bu, Industrious. euterprisins citizens
who will settle upon the prairies and open
farms. Houses can be b.ilt and other inn
provcments made abou; cheap as in
Indiana; and one who has means to send
forward and have house built. his land
fenced and broken. and trees planted, may
soon enjoy all the comforts of the older
States; hut to one who has lille or no
means. and who undertakes to settle on
Government lands. it will require fortitude,
llnhof and axnosure Cor ssvaral vaar. In