The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-08-02
THE SOIL AND CLIMATE OF SOUTH.
ERN AND WESTERN KANSAS.


Mr.. Henry Stewart, agricultural edito
Of the -1nserican Agriculturist, having mad
a tour of observation over the Atehison
Topeka and Santa Fee Railroad in Ma
last, writes to Mr.. Touzalin, the Manage
of the Land Department of the company
the following as his opinion of the countr,
and its advantages, after careful observa
tion. We omit the first paragraph Of hi
letter and commence with the
Second, as TO water. 1t has been wdel,
supposed that Central and Western, if no
Eastern Kansas suffered from dry eli
mate. Like many other ideas relative t.
the Western parts of the great Missouri
Valley, | need hardly say, this, so far as
the Eastern and Central parts of the State
are concerned, is exploded. AS to the
Western part of the State, Judge the idea
to be equally groundless. If springs and
| water courses in whose channels aquatic
plants needing for their existcn ce constant
moisture, if frequently occurring streams,
II rams freqently occurring a nd copiously
descending, if all these arc proofs, then
there is abundant testimony that immedi
ately west of the central counties, and to
some extent all through the Valley to the
westward, there is ample rainfall for all tho
purposes Of agriculture. Doubtless as the
tramping of the countless herds of buffalo
which have heretofore roamed the extreme
Western plains of the State shall have
iS ~ in l, %I,o
face will become more open and loose, and
will retain longer the abundant rainfalls of
the spring months, giving them back again
in gradual corporations to the atmosphere,
which shall supply clouds and rains during
a longer season than now prevails. Here
as elsewhere, the cultivation of the soil will
tend to ameliorate the climate. However
this may be at the extreme west, the fact
that within $50 miles of that point on the
Walnut Valley northwest of Great Bend,
corn and wheat has been successfully
grown for five years past, shows that there
the rainfall is, as Judge it is further west,
sufficient. For stock purposes there is
abundance of water. Not to speak of the
frequent streams which are tributary to the
Arkansas, nor that large steam itself, album
dant water may be procured in shallow
it is only necessary to sink to a correspond
ing depth to procure a supply. The vast
majority of wells are "driven wells,' con-
sisting of iron pipes pointed and perfor-
ota of ha rvl,i 4 ~ l. III
into the soil to depth of from ten to
twenty feet, or less or more, where unfail-
ing water is found and pumped up. These
cheap and serviceable wells are attached
TO every dwelling.
IhirdIy, as to healthfulness. Here is
country in which malaria finds no cond-
items favorable to its existence. Stagnant
water is not to be found either on or be-
meath the surface. The air too is in con-
slant motion; fresh breeze cons family
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 windwills of every
description or for all purposes.
Fourth, as to climate. Here is climate
which exactly meets tho requirements of
the agriculturist, whether no be farmer,
orchardist, stockman or shepherd. In
early spring when the soil is freed from the
slender grasp of what little frost it is sub
ject to during the short winter, it is in
admirable condition for blowing and PIE
paration for crops. Then comes season
of rains and showers, which lasts into July,
when only occasional showers occur to
interfere with harvesting operations. The
corn crop is safe before the rains cease, and
after that time the grass cures upon tho
ground and makes 4 natural hay, retain
ing all its nutritious qualities, which serves
as perennial pasture for stock. The fall
and winter seasons, which east of the Mis-
souri, are marked by the prevalence of cold
rains and chilling storms SO trying to stock,
here are marked by dry and bracing wealth
er. 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. But l saw largo herds of cattle
which had been subsisted during the past
winter without any prepared shelter or any
prepared food, oven in the shape Of a
mouthful of hay, and they were in excel
lent condition, and had suffered no loss on
account of this absence of labored care.
Thus thi. country is specially adapted for
sheep and stocking raising in conjunction
with grain growing, and must undoubt-
eddy soon become great source Of supply
of beef and mutton to the eastern markets.
All these considerable advantages COM
bne to make this beautiful and fertile val
ley and these gently swelling slopes, ss-
pecially attractive to certain classes. For
instance, the young farmer seeking homo,
who has few means beyond his own indus
try and strong arms and willing hands
wherewth to carve it out. lie may here
either find free homestead OH United
States lands, or purchase at low prices, on
remarkably easy terms of payment and
with liberal discounts for Improvements,
from the Railroad Company. Very often
he may thus purchase at relatively cheaper
prices than by taking practically free
gift from the Government of a tract Of land
for his farm. The parents Of children who
desire to establish them in homes Of their
own, OF to re-cstablish their own, or their
| children's health, failing in less favored
regions, may here exactly suit their needs.
niences equal to those they desire to leave;
schools as good, an already comparatively
well settled country, with agreeable noigh-
bors, and in many sections considerable
towns and public improvements along side