Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-01-22

capable OF being plowed or worked i'm
mediately after the heaviest rains. at In,
same time keeps it constantly moist b,
evaporation from below, and protects i
from drOuth. Within six hours of cessa
ton OF rain in which | Judge at leas
three inches of water fell. | saw farmer,
breaking sod and cul,ivating the young
corn. The crop of corn, oats, rye, sprine
and TALL wheat, potatoes and garden veg
etaoles, which saw growing, both or
new and old breakings, in various locali
Ties In the valley, are equal to any that !
nave seen elsewhere, during many wears
experience. Ikn0,c Of no part of the eoua
try possessing more a,trdc,sce soil fir Ia,
farmer than this.
Second, as to water. 1t has been wide
~ supposed that central and western. i
not eastern Kansas suffered from dry
climate. Like many other ideas relative
10 the western parts OF the great Missouri
valley. need hardly say, this, so far a.
tne eastern and central parts of the state
l Judge the idea to me equally groundless
II springs and water-courses in whosf
channeis aquatic plants, needin, for tl,ei,
existence constant moisture; if freouer T.
ly occurring streams; ii rains freousn,iv
occurring and copiously descending: i
all tnese are proofs, then ther, is abun.
can't testimony that immediat .ly west ol
the central counties, and TO some exren,
all through the valley TO the westward
there Is ample rainfall for all the purpos
es OF agriculture. Doubtless as the trarsp
Ing OF the countless herds of buffalo
which have heretofore roamcd the ey
t'eme western plains OF the state shall
nave ceased, As IL is soon cert am 10 do
the surface will become more omen and
loose, and will retain longer the ab,,n.
aant ralnfalls OF the spring months, Civ.
ing them back again in gradual evapoFa-
lions To the atmosphere. which shall sun.
ply clouds and rains durizg Longer seq
son than now prevails. Here as else.
where, the cultivation of the soil via
tend TO ameiiorate the climate. Eoweyr,
this may be at the extreme west. the rac,
That within $50 miles of that point on The
Walnut Valley north west of Grea. Bend
corn and wheat have been successfully
grown Tor nve years past, shows that
there the rainfall is, as | judse il i
further west, sufficient. For stock pur.
poses there Is abundance of water. Not
10 speak OF the frequent streams which
are tributary to the Arkansas, nor that
ialge stream itself, abundant water NAV
be procured in shallow wells in every
bottom, while on the bluffs il Is only nee.
essary to sink to corresponding depth
to procure supply. The vast majority
of wells are driven wells" consisting OF
iron pipes pointed aid perforated at the
ends, which are driven by blows into the
soil to depth oi from ten to twenty feet,
or less or more. where untailing water Is
found and pumped up. These cheap and
serviceable wells are attached to every
dwelling.
Thirdly, as TO healthfulness. Here Is q
country Ia which malaria finds no condi-
tions favorable to its existence. Star.
nant wafer is not to be fonnd either SID,
beneath the surface. The air, too. is in
constant motion; fresh breeze constant.
ly ians the cheek and brings health to
the luLgs. In such an atmosphere as
here exists, the system is invigorated.
aud labor is neither irksome nor faticu.
ing. These constant breezes also afford
unlimited, ana valuable power for wind.
mills of every description OR for all pur-
poses.
Fourth, as to climate. Here is a eli
mate which exactly meets. the require
ments OF the agriculturist, whether he be
farmer, orchardist, stockman or shep-
herd. In early spring, when the soil is
freed from the slender grasp OF what Int
tie frost IL Is subject to during the short
winter, 1t Is in admirable condition for
blowing and preparation for crops. Then
comes season OF rains and showers,
which lasts into July, when only occas-
i0nal 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 natural hay, retaining all its nu
tritious Qualities, which serves as peren.
nial pasture Tor stock. The fall and win
ter 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 brac-
ing weather. 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 sto *. But I saw
large herds of cattle which had been SUBJ
sisted during the past winter without any
prepared shelter or any prepared food,
even in the shape of mouthful of hay.
and they were in excellent condition, and
had suffered no loss on account of this
absence of labored care. Thus this coun-
try is especially adapted for sheep and
st0ck.raising in conjunction With grain
growing, and must undoubtedly soon be-
come great source of supply of beef and
mutton 20 the eastern markets.
All these considerable advantages COM
bine to make this beautiful and fertile
valley and these gently y-swelling slopes,
especially attractive to certain classes.
For instance, the young farmer seeking
a home, who has few means beyond his
own industry and strong arms and will
ing hands wherewith to carve it out. He
may here either find free homestead on
United States lands, or purchase at low
prices, on remarkably easy terms of pay
ment, and with liberal discounts for i'm
provements, from the railroad company
Very often he may thus purchase al rela-
lively cheaper prices than by taking a
practically free gift from the government
Of tract of land for his farm. The par
ents of children who desire to establish
them in homes of their own, or To re-es-
tablish their own or their children's s
health, failing in less favored regions,
may here exactly suit their needs. Here
they will ind associations and convent
ences equal to those they desire to leave ;
schools as good, and already compare.
lively we'll settled country, with agree