The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-03-16
WooLGRoWINe IN KANSAS.


The following article is from the pen OF
ex- Governor Medary:
list. The country is universally rolling,
and well drained. We have nothing like
morasses or swamps in the original bounds
of the Territory. At fist sight, looking
from one high point. frequently many niles
10 another. it would strike you as noun
famous country, yet on discovery you find
that the highest points are on a level with
The upland prairie, and the slopes so long
and gentle that very often you scarcely no.
tice the ascent-the wide valleys lying be-
tween being themselves dry and more or
less rolling.
ed. The climate. as in all high, rolling
prairie countries of great extent. is peculiar
for its clear sky, gentle breezes, and dry at
mosphere and highly charged with electricity
Our summers commence early and our WIN
ters late and though our winters may be
said TO last three months, yet during that
time we have many, very many, mild, clear
days, much more like spring than winter. !
have spent two winters here, and 6nd them
more genial than any ever saw in Ohio.
The first was what might be called wet, as
our rivers were high all winter and spring
the second (last winter) was dry, 80 much
so that we had neither muddy roads or high
waters. We had some cold days, the Their
mometer falling to 10 or 12 degrees below
zero. which is cold on the open prairie. il
the wind is strong; but such days are un-
frequent, and of brief continuance. In the
more broken valleys, sheep would find at
such times pretty much all the protection
they would require, for we have very little
snow here. We have very seldom what are
called drizzling rains. which, as all sheep
raisers know, are the most injurious, not
only to sheep but to cattle, when they oc
cur in the cold months of winter and spring.
It is not the dry cold, but the wet cold,
which is so injurious to animals generally.
Our rains, as general thing. are fierce
while they last, and quickly followed by a
clear, calm sky.
3d. AS to pasture, there are millions of
acres lying open yet within the organized
counties, and then extending 500 miles to
the foot of the mountains. It will not be
necessary, therefore, for great many years,
to 90 the expense of purchasing lands for
pasture. They are lying open. offering the
richest return TO those who choose to occu-
py them with their herds of sheep or cattle.
Shepherds 10 take care of them are all that
10 WouCC0' LII oCcASOhSS Hoy Az cSh
quantity can be cut at all points, and the
shepherds should have with them moving
machine for that purpose, to provide against
want in hard winters.
4sh. The cost of keeping the sheep need
not amount to any more than the expenses
of those who have charge of them, and salt
for generous supply. By an act of our
Legislature, sheep are not subject to taxa
ton. nor the buildings nor pasture lands
necessary for their ell-being.
9Th. The kind or quality of sheep proper
to bring here must be left to the choice and
taste of the owner. AS a general thing. and
for economy's sake in the outset, would
suggest that the ewes be of good frames,
and in health, selected from common grade
focks, accompanied by full-blood South
Down, French Merino. or Leicester rams
For wool. should select the French Me.
rino. But each sheep-owner will have his
own views upon this matter.