Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-08-26
COMMUNICATIONS.

TOPEKA, KAs, August is, 1859.
] EDITOR CHRONICLE: Thinking that
perhaps, few words from Kansas might
be of some interest TO the readers of the
ICHRoNICLE, and knowing that your col.
umns are always generously open to
communications of this kind, take the
liberty of writing a few items, gathered
by the way-side.
The climate and healthfulness of Kan
sas cannot be excelled. The atmosphere
is remarkably clear and pure. The sum-
mers are long, aud winters short. 1t
might be supposed by persons who are
unacquainted with our climate, that our
summers are extremely warm, but such
is not the case, as the heat is moderated
by a cool, steady breeze, which gives us
only moderately warm weather during
the day, and delightfully."- cool nights.
The winters, on an average, are short
land mild, and, as general thing, stock
tdoes not require to be fed more than four
months in the year. Last winter was
IAN exception, as we were compelled to
feed for more thon six months. It was
very amusing to hear old settlers grum-
bling about the weather which was, in
reality, nothing more than we have
often experienced in Eastern Ohio.
[ We have, without doubt, as healthy
country as can be found; owing to the
dryness and purity of the air, lung dis
eases are rarely found, unless 1t be when
the disease has been contracted in some
r. - -,
tirely free from swamps, stagnant pools
OF water, and marshes, VIII 'ch are so apt
to breed diseases; and consists chiefly of
rolling prairie, which gives sufficient
drainage to all parts of the country. The
soil is generally black loan; about the
same as found in Iowa, Illinois and
Missouri, and adapted to the culture of
nearly all the products. Wheat, oats,
corn, barley, potatoes, sorghum, fruits
of ali descriptions, and in fact almost
everything of the kind does well.
The farmers have harvested magnif-
icent crop Of small grain, and Eastern
farmers now here are wonderfully sur
prised at this great evidence of the pro-
ductiveness of Kansas soil. Owing to
the recent wet weather not many of the
farmers have as yet threshed their grain,
but those who have, are getting from
twenty to forty bushels of wheat, and
from forty to sixty bushels of oars per
acre. The crop of fruit is excellent,
with exception of peaches; apples are
very fine. Some of the finest fruit ]
have ever seen was grown in Kansas and
Western Missouri. / have noticed fresh,
ripe grapes and peaches grown in. Cali
fOrnia and shipped here via Union. Pa
cific Railroad. -, 60 - :.
But for fear I am trespasslng on your
space and good nature, will be BRIEF
l understand that some of the citizens of
'pold Belmonta,' talk of selling out and
coming to the West, to such I would
say: come and see and Judge for your.
self before selling or purchasing else
where. Those who are thinking of Wis
iting the West soon should avail them
selves of the opportunity presented by
Judge Ryan of Columbus, Ohio, who
invites all to join his Excursion party
which will leave Columbus for Kansas,
1st. Round trip from Column
bus to Sheridan-presentterminus of the |
Kansas Pacific Railroad-and return by
way of st. Louis and Cincinnati, for the |
small sum of $500. Tickets good for
30 days. Yours-&c.,
.i-s es-'---y H--- .,- OHNA'