The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1873-07-31

; ground, through hole in the Kitchen
floor if desired, or wherever indication
dictates, and water is reached at q
depth of from six to fifteen feet. A
pump is placed upon the pipe and in
an hours time boundless supply of
pure, cold, healthy water is obtained.
HEALTHFULNEss.
Here is country in which malaria
finds no conditions favorable to its ex-
istence. Stagnant water is not to be
found either on or beneath the surface.
The air, too, is in constant motion; a
fresh breeze constantly fans the cheek
and brings health to the lungs. In
such an atmosphere as here exists, the
system is invigorated, and labor is
neither irksome nor fatiguing. These
constant breezes also afford unlimited
and valuable power for windmills Of
every description or for all purposes.
CLIMATE.
Here is climate which exactly meets
the requirements of the agriculturist,
whether he be farmer, orchardist,
stockman or shepherd. In early spring,
when the soil is freed from the slender
grasp of what little frost it is subject
to during the short winter, it is in adj
mirable condition for blowing and
preparation for crops. Then comes a
season of rains and showers, which
lasts into July, when only occasional
showers occur to interfere with har-
vesting operations. The corn crop is
safe before the rains cease, and after
that time the grass cures upon the
ground and makes a natural hay, re-
tanning much ofits nutritious qualities,
which serves as perennial pasture for
stock. The fall and winter seasons,
which east of the Missouri are marked
by the prevalence of cold rains and
chilling storms so trying to stock, here
are marked by dry and bracing wealth
err. Occasional storms, in which light,
dry snow is drifted and wreathed upon
the surface, occur, during which the
farmer will feel called upon to shelter
and feed his stock. Thus this country
is specially adapted for sheep and
stock-raising in conjunction with grain
growing, and must undoubtedly soon
become a great source of supply of
/ beef and mutton to the eastern markets.
COAL, ROCK AND CLAY.
! There is no longer any uncertainty
as to the discovery of coal i'll this val
lev. Il has been found in several places,
and there is not the least doubt that it
will be developed in such quantities as
TO supply fuel at very low rates. A
test is being made at Wichita with
drill for coal. One small vein has been
passed through at depth Of forty or
fifty feet. The present supply is fur
nished by the railroad at from twenty
five to thirty-five cents per bushel.
Rock is not SO abundant as to be
troublesome. as in some places in east
ern Kansas, but it is found in quanti-
ties sufficient for building purposes.
Clay, suitable for brick making, is
abundant, and the best quality of sand
being everywhere accessible, there is
no lack of excellent building material.
GYPSUM.
Should constant cultivation ever de-
velop the fact in this valley, which is
apparent in all other countries in the
world, that fertilizers must first or last
be applied to all lands which are not
subject to overflow, if farms are to be
kept up to their original state of pro-
ductiveness, we have never failing
supply of manure in the vast gypsum
beds which intersect the valley in this
and adjoining counties. 1t is unsur-
passed i'm quality and inexhaustable in
amount. When broken to pieces and
ground in mill it becomes the "land
plaster" of commerce, which sells for
ten dollars ton in eastern cities.
TOWNS.
That portion of the valley of which
we have been more particularly speak
ing an area of fifty by one hundred
miles-boasts many fine and flourish
ing towns, where mechanics or trades
men may find splendid locations, and
where all may find churches, school
houses, printing presses and refined
and intelligent society. We may men,
ton Hutchinson, the county seat of
Reno; Newton, the county seat of Har
vey; Wichita, the county seat of Sedg-
wick; Wellington, the county seat of
Sumner; Eldorado, the county seat of
Butler; and Windfield, the county seat
of Cowley, besides Arkansas City, Ok
ford, Belle Plain. FL Paso, Caldwell,
Sedgwick City. Stevenson, Medicine
Lodge and many others, all of them
growing and doing active business.
such is the superficial character of
the Arkansas valley in the central parts
of the state, and the valleys of its east
crn tributaries. In conjunction with
this favorable surface, is the richest
soil, susceptible of the easiest cultiva-
tion abundant flowing water from
springs and streams the sweetest |
favored and most wholesome water in !
wells in permanent supply at an aver |
age depth of fifteen to twenty feet be- |
low the surface; pure, bracing air,
entirely free from miasma or other I'M |
healthy influences, with climate pc
culiarly favorable for agricultural OPP
erations.
All these considerable advantages
combine to make this beautiful and !
fertile valley and these gently-swelling
slopes, especially attractive. The |
young farmer seeking home. who has |
few means beyond his own industry |
and strong arms and willing hands |
wherewith TO carve ii out, may here |
find free homestead on United States |
lands, or purchase at low prices, on |
with liberal discounts for improve
ments. from the railroad company. |
Very often he may thus purchase at rel |
atively cheaper prices than by taking |
a practically free gift from the govern |
mcnt of tract of land for his farm. |
The parents of children who desire to |
establish them in homes Of their own, !
or to re-establish their own or their !
ehildrcn's health. failing in less favor
ed regions. may here exactly suit their |
needs. Here they will find associations
and conveniences equal to those they /
desire to leave schools as good. an al |
ready comparatively well-settled coun-
try, with agreeable neighbors. and in !
many sections considerable towns and |
public improvements alongside of |