The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-10-04
From Kansas.
OTTAWA, Kansas, Oct. 3, 1878.

Inc gre8t diversity OF SOIL IN Kansas mas
been for some time a subject of general dis
cussion, and has been strongly urged as an
Objectionable feature. 1t is fact that Kan
sas has not that uniform richness of soil that
is found in some of the eastern states,
Especially in Illinois.
Kansas land is properly classed into three
divisions. The first is that usually found on
Il level with the borders Of streams, and
known as first bottom land. Going on up the
first ascent, we come to the second bottom
land and still farther up to the third and
last division, we have the uplGnds. The up
lands are chiefly of Il limestone nature, and
are better adapted to wheat raising than either
Of other divisions, and stone is also found in
greater quantities here; but my observations
have led me to believe that this limestone
soil will not produce like the other divisions
during dry time. 1t IS underlying this
kind of land that are found the extensive
coal beds. The second bottom land is of a
sandstone nature, and is better adapted to
corn raising than either Of the other two
divisions, especially the uplands. 1t Is in the
second bottom land that we begin to see those
barren spots, better known as "hard pan
spots" They are not found here so extern
sively as in the first bottom land. 1t is very
difficult matter to find a larger body of land
than quarter section on which there is not
one or more Of these hard pan spots, but they
are usually small, covering IN acre or two.
There is another kind OF land that amounts
to but little for cultivation. On this grows
a fine wing grass that we call buffalo grass,
which affords very late feed for cattle. This
soil can, by considerable manuring, be made
to produce toerably fair crops.
But while we have these Objectionable
features in this sandstone soil, we have on the
contrary none Of those low wet marshy
sloughs, 50 common in Indiana and Illinois.
There is another advantage in this sandstone
soil, and none appreciate this advantage
more than our heavy stock dealers, who are
fortunate enough to have their herds located
on this kind Of soil. In the first place the
grass grows much more rapidly and to
greater height than on limestone soil, and on
that account affords pasturagc at least two
weeks earlier, and late in tho fall when the
most of the grass has been killed by frost,
there is still on this sand stone soil the butta-
10 grass that will sustain the cattle for at least
two weeks longer, thus giving the sandstone
soil months advantage during the season
over The limestone tor stock grazing.
It might be proper perhaps right here to
mention one of the most important features
of Kansas, particularly of Franklin county,
that is her coal mines. These are being work
ed with profit and success in diilerentparts of
the county, and guarantee permanent and
cheap supply of fuel. These mines supply
the demand at prices ranging from eight tot
twelve cents per bUshel. The coal veins
range in thickness from eighteen to thirty
inches. They can not, of course, compare
with the mines Of your county in this respect
yet there is no doubt but there is a sufficient
quantity of coal to supply home demand but
we do not depend altogether on our coalcrics
to supply us with fuel, as wood can be had
at very reasonable rates. | know that the idea
is very general with those who have never
travelled over our state, especially the eastern
counties, that timber is very scarce; but as
sure you that that is a mistake
! do not claim that we have so large a
quantity of timber as you have in Illinois,
yet there is sufficient to supply the wants Of
the country. Our timber is differently loca.