The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-07-12

Mr.. Henry Stewart, agricultural editor
of the american AgricuZturist, is author
of the following, which is brief extract
from long letter to Mr.. Touzalin, on the
subject of the railroad lands.
New YORK, June 10th, 1878.
A. E. ToUzALIN, ESQ, Land Commits
sioner, Topeka, Kansas Dear Sir:
have, at your request, thoroughly examin-
ed the character of the country through
which the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Railroad passes, from Topeka to the west
boundary of the State of Kansas.
On finishing my survey, which has had
for its chief object to ascertain the agri-
cultural value of the lands of the district
referred to, am free to say that l have
never passed through better or so good
tract of land, or one so remarkably favor
able to settlement, as the one in question.
My closest observation throughout jour
ney of thousand miles back and forth,
and through the country in places ten
miles distant from the Railroad, fails to
detect SO much as any single acre in any
one place, in any township passed through,
which was not capable of easy and profit
able cultivation. So easy are the slopes of
the bluffs, so level the bottoms, SO regular
the quality of the soil, that there is moth
ing to hinder the pillow from traversing the
whole valley from end to end, and turning
one continuous furrow for three or four
hundred miles in length, unless it be the
frequent springs and water courses that
would be encountered.
Such is the superficial character of the
Arkansas Valley in the Western and Cen
trail parts Of the State, and the Valleys of
its Eastern tributaries. In con junction
with this favorable surface, found the
richest soil susceptible of the easiest cu-
tivation; abundant flowing water from
springs and streams; the sweetest favored
and most wholesome water in wells in per-
manent supply, at an average depth of
fifteen to twenty feet below the surface; a
pure bracing air entirely free from mias-
ma or other unhealthful influences with
climate peculiarly favorable for agricnltur-
al operations.
OF these advantages l will say few
words in detail as to the results of my
observation. First, as to SOIL Generally
this is deep, black loan resting on
lighter colored subseil of loan, clay or
gravel, both soil and subsoil being SO por-
GUS that surface water readily passes
through them, and in no case is there any
difficulty experienced in crossing with
horses and wagons or stock any water
courses or beds Of streams. Teams may
be driven across springs or creek bottoms
fearlessly, without danger of miring.-
This porosty of the soil, while it renders
it capable Of being plowed or worked i'm
mediately after the heaviest rains, at the
same time keeps it constantly moist by
evaporation from below, and protects it
from drouth. Within six hours of the
cessation of a rain in which | judge at
least three inches of water fell, | saw
farmers breaking sod and cultvating the
young corn. The crops of corn, oats, rye,
spring and fall wheat, potatoes and garden
vegetables, which | saw growing both on
new and old breakings, in various localities
in the Valley, are equal to any that have
ever seen elsewhere, during many years
experience. I know Of no part Of the
country possessing a more attractive soil for
the farmer than this.