Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-08-05
June 30, 1872.
LETTER FROM KANSAS.

AfoOofcc AIUPtOo, ~ 0Cy Il, IO1 =.
EDITOR MONITOR AS corn is laid
by, we have a little breathing spell here,
and I will improve few moments by
sending you word Or two about Kan
sas farming. I think the present sea-
son, so far, has been the most propitious
that Kansas has enjoyed for years. The
four or five months of bitter cold wealth
er we had last winter froze the ground
to such depth that it left it in the best
possible condition for crops in the spring.
Since then we have had an abundance of
rain, which is the main thing in making
corn crop in Kansas, and-vell | wish
you could see the result. The most Of
the corn about here has been growing
but about two months, and yet, in pas
sing through the corner Of. a neighbor's
field had the curiosity to measure
couple of stalks. One measured little
less than eleven feet, and the other lit
tie more than eleven feet in height
This would make an average of about
sixteen inches growth for each week since
the corn was planted. 1t had just COM
menced to silk, and will probably grow
two or three feet in height yet. A per-
son on horseback would not be able to
reach the top of it by stretching up his
arm, and would be as completely lost as
one on foot; and in either case, if the
field were large one, would be able to
see nothing but sky and corn. We have
thirty-four acres, planted week or two
later on account of the rain, the most of
which stands from seven to ten feet in
height. (Notabene This is Greeley
corn; hence its tremendous growth since
the middle of May.) Yesterday | saw
a field of corn across the river of two
hundred and sixty-fve acres, inclosed by
one fence, though belonging to different
men. If corn yields as it promises now.
[ think the price must come down to
about twenty cents this fall.
There was an unusual breadth of oats
sown, on account of fall wheat being xii.
led out during the winter The yield
may be estimated from the fact that oats
are worth twelve and half cents now.
Spring wheat yields well so far.
Our long desired and expected rail
road, from Kansas City via. Ottawa, has
not arrived, but certainly will be here
this fall, or else there are some big lies
going the rounds.
The wind mill here is slowly approach
ing completion. The most Of the ma
| chinery was brought from England. The
wall of the tower is of stone and bricl
and fifty feet in height, and the vino
, wheel, which is to furnish the power
will be seventy-two feet in diameter
Most people seem confident that it vii
) prove success, and there certainly will
) be no lack Of wind.
There is considerable excitement Of
the Presidential question here. Tw
, lawyers and one minister addressed
t Grant meeting here last night The
e made considerable fun of Greeley's hat
coat, boots, &C., but elected neithe
: cheers nor applause. By count it wa
' ascertained that about one-third of th
: voters were for Greeley. Some Of tn
t people here have not forgotten that, whe
Y this state was fifty termed "Bleedin
j Kansas Horace Greeley did more tina
G any other man, and more than all th
local politicians combined, to save tt
state from border ruffianism and SLAYER,
h The ball is rolling and growing large
|, every day.
; 81 NJ. J. OWEN.
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