The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1873-12-25

surprising Tdpiults III thio '"nN.
lack of timber, with our herd law, is
but little felt. but even that want will
be removed in q few years. All that Is
necessary is to keep down the prairie
fires, the putting in OF the seed or cut
tings, and with ordinary cultivation
all kinds Of trees grow with such
astonishing rapidity as to test the Gre
dulity of eastern men. No doubt,
dense forests would have generations
since covered these rich rolling prai-
ries, but for the destructive of fires
that annually swept over them. But
it is much cheaper. better and quicker
to build up homes and make farms
here than it was for our forefathers
east and north, who were compelled 10
first remove heavy forests from the
grounds. For fencing the Usage Orange
as a hedge will in time be the univer-
sal fence. Cheap, sure and efficient as
a fence. a wind break for stock and
relief to the eve, most of our farmers
are already growing such fences, not
withstanding the herd law" which
compels every man to take care OF his
own stock.
WATER.
1t has been widely supposed that
central and western, if not eastern
Kansas suffered from n dry climate.
Like many other ideas relative to the
western parts of the great Missouri
Valley, we need hardly say, this, so far
as the eastern and central parts Of the,
state are concerned. Is exploded. Ii
springs and water-courses III whose
channels aquatic plants, needing for
their existence constant moisture; Ii
notwithstanding streams; II rams
frequently occurring and copiously de-
scending: if all these are proofs, then
there is abundant testimony that all
through the valley there is ample rain
fall In fact. after all that has been
written of the Arkansas river, 1t Is
almost superfluous to say that the wa
ter of this valley region is abundant
and pure. 1t is without doubt the best
watercd portion of Kansas. On the
| bottoms '.drivc wells" or tube wells
are universally used. They consist Of
tube of galvanized iron, with 4 steel
point. the lower end Of the tube hav-
ing holes on the sides, around which is
wrapped piece of wire gauze for a
strainer. this pipe is driven into the
ground. through hole in the kitchen
floor if desired, or wherever indication
dictates, and water is reached at a
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 a county in which malaria
finds no conditions favorable to its ex-
istcnce. Stagmant 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 invigoratcd, and labor is
neither irksO nor fatiguing. These
constant breezcs 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 agriculturast
whether he he 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 8
season of rains and showers, which
lasts into July, when only occasional
showers occur to interfere with har
ycsting operations.
COAL, ROCK AND CLAY.
There is no longer any uncertainty
as to the discovery Of coal in this val
lev. 1t has been found in several places
and there is not the least doubt that il
will be developed in such quantities a:
to supply fuel at very low rates. \
test is being made at Wichita with ;
drill for coal. One small vein has been
passed through at a depth of forty OF
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 troub
lesome, as in some places in eastern
Kansas, but it is found in quantitie
sufficient for building purposes. Clay
suitable for brick making. is abundant
and the best quality of sand bcin:
everywhere acces sable, there is no lacl
of excellent building material.
GYPSUM.
Should constant cultivation ever de
.
apparent in all other countries Ill III
world. that fertilizers must first or las
be applied to all lands which are no
subject to overflow, if farms are TO b
kept up to their original state of pro
, duciivencss, have never failing sup
, ply in the vast gypsum beds which III
terscct the valley i'll this and adjoinin
counties. 1t is unsurpassed in qualit
i, and inexhaustable in amount. Whe
. broken TO pieces and ground in mil
. it becomes the ''land plaster of com
, mercc, which sells for ten dollars a to
in eastern cities.
TOWNS.
, That portion of the valley of whic
we have been more particularly speak
img--an area of fifty by one hundrc
r miles-bOasts of many fine and flour
lshing towns, where mechanics O
) tradesmcn may find splendid locations
and where all may find churches, schoc
houses, printing presses and refine
I and intelligent society. We may mel
ton Hutchinson, the county seat c
f Reno county: Newton. the county sea
= of Harvey; Wichita, the county seat q
q Sedgwick Wellington, the county sea
: Butler: and Windticld, the county sea
of Cowiey. besides Arkansas City, Ok
a ford, Belle Plain, Ell Paso, Caldwell
, Scdgwick City, Medicine Lodge an
I many others, all of them growing an
: doing an active business.
p Such is the superficial character {
the Arkansas valley in the central part
of the state. and the valleys of its cas-
crn tributaries. In conjunction wit
this favorable surface, is the riches
b. soil. susceptible of the easiest GUILTY.:
h ton: abundant flowing water froi
I springs and streams; the sweetest Il;
h vored and most wholesome water
: wells in permanent supply at an ave.
, age depth of fifteen to twenty feet b.
. low the surface; pure, bracing n
i entirely free from miasma or other III
:. healthy influences, with q climate Pr
:. culiarlv favorable for agricultural OF
q erations.
r All these considerable advantage
4 combine to make this beautiful All
/. fertile valley and these gentlyswellin
slopes, especially attractive. II
n Young farmer seeking a home, VIII
n has few means beyond his own indu
f trv and strong arms and willing hand
a wherewith to carve ii out, NAV hel
@ find free homestead on United STATE
II ands. or purchase at low prices, G
!. remarkable easy terms of payment an
4 with a liberal discount for improv
n ments, from the railrod company. Vel
G often he may thus purchase at relativ
Y " cheaper prices than by taking
I practically free gift from the COVER
i ment OF tract of land for his farr
= The parents of children who desire
establish them in homes of their ow
, or to re-cstablish their own or the
e chilhren's health falling in less favo