New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-02
NERRAAHI.
House.

good many contemplate nlgrltiOn from our
densely peoped States to- some westerly re-
gion where men are scarcer and the soil more
fertile and facile. Some Of these write us,
asking us to direct them to the Garden OF Eden.
or whatever locality on this continent is most
like that once favored spot; but we can only
advise them vaguely. Minnesota and the Lake
Superior region have cold Winters, but are ac-
counted healthy, especially for those threat
ened with pulmonary disease; Missouri and
Kansas are far miIder, and are rapidly increas-
ing in population; Arkansas and northern
Texas have the climate of Italy with equally
good SOIL ample timber, and are on the point or
being best by railroad communication with
the older States, but their schools are deli
Gent. Colorado is attracting many settlers,
having pure air healthful climate, and
rich. deep soil on her plains; but her crops need
irrigation, and this must usually be effected
by combined effort, as few single farms can
afford irrigation severally. Hence, we have
advised some to strike first for Omaha, and
look through portions of Nebraska before
looking further. If nos suited there, Kansas
Colorado, and Wyoming will all be within easy
reach. Two days will take you to the heart
of either of them.
Nebraska has suffered from the exceptional
and protracted snow blockade of the Union
Pacific Railroad during the past Winter. Dis
matches from Omaha respecting it have given
many the impression that Nebraska was
buried under snOw-drifts; but such was not
the fact. The blockade was first encountered
far beyond the western boundary of that State,
in Wyoming, and was confined to the far
higher and stOrmier region which stretches
from the Platte to Green River and answers
to the Rocky Mountains, which lift their heads
all around it. Here the great international
highway was snOw-blocked for eight or ten
weeks-much longer, we think, than it need
or would have been if adequate preparation
had been made and proper exertion used to
keep the track passable. AT all events,
Nebraska is not responsible for the obstruction,
though her Winter was exceptionally severe,
as was that Of all North America.
The following letter to The Springfield
PepubIican seems candid and Intelligent:
Fremont Neb., March 81, 1871.
81 have received several letters from friends in Massa
asking me about Eebras<a State to emgrate
to- Allow TO answer them andinfom others through
YOUR widely read paper to some matters Eastern peO
ple ought to understand before deciding to come here
Let me first say the soil of Nebraska Is very rich
who accompanied the excursion party nearly five years
aeo Mt the opening Of the Union Pacific Railroad rep
n sented the Platte Valley as very rch while other
parts of the State comp ratively poor This is
mistake The land 100 miles from the Platte either north
or SOUTH and miles west from Its mouth ia the Same
I'm its general composition as In the Platte Valley the
Missouri Valley The soil Is a sandy loam deep. porous
and capable yielding from 80 90 bushels OF per
acre for 10 successive years without single load
| or manure. The surface Is moro rolling than
| Illinois and eastern Iowa. just enough, indeed
tn obyiate tho necessity OF drainage. There
swams and rocky, barren nights till you reach the
western portion. doubt II equal area In any other
part OF the country has little waste land the 200
miles square the eastern end OF the State. As TO eli
mate this country may be subject to severe and
,xtrcme changes than Massachusetts. But the aver
ago temperature is several degrees higher here Our
winters usually last from about the a5th OF December
| TO the last OF February, with fortnight frequently
OF April weather in Fehrusry. followed by fortnight
OF February woathC IN March This Spring weather IN
february followed above In March, has hitherto
proved the great obstacle to successful fruiculture
still our people learning TO successfully overcome
this difficulty and there Is doubt that this yet
be groat fruitgrowing State. Our Summers two
months longer between frosts than In Massachusetts
| July and August are very warm by day, with cool
refreshing at night. People do not work hard
| here rs in Massachusetts, Everything is done with
machinery. here takes caro- Of 30 acres OF small
grain wheat oats and barley. and 40 sores fcorn with
little help harvesting. with less musclewear than IN
the East Is required TO tend one-fourh the amount II
general opinion ~ the East that this country is liable
TO suffer from dreut think there need DO very little
trouble from this cause. Our rains not abundant
| "a they arc at the East But we DO not need thaIp
The depth and porous nature Of tho soil allow the
| roots OF plants TO run very deep. and To draw
| moisture from a great depth. 1 have followed thu
roots OF corn down IS inches. and have found the
moisture sucked up from nearly many tnches mort