The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-07-30

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 rapIdiiy as to test the ere
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 to
first remove heavy forests from the
grounds. For fencing the Usage Orange
as hedge will in time be the univer-
sal fence. Cheap, sure and efficient as
a fence, wind break for stock and a
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 a 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. If
| springs and watcr-courses in whose
channels aquatic plants, needing for
| their existence constant moisture: if
frequently-occurring streams if rains
| frequently occurring and copiously de-
! SrnnItnfr. If all thaes v,pnnf, fhap,
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, it 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 ''drive wells" or tube wells
are universally used. They consist of
a tube of galvanized iron, with a steel
point, the lower end of the tube hay
ing holes on the sides, around which is
wrapped piece of wire gauzc 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 county in which malaria
finds no conditions favorable to its ex-
istence. Stagnant water is not to be
found either on or beneath the surface.
The air, too, is in constant motion;
fresh breeze constantly 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 brceZes 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 Agricultural,
whether he be 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 ad-
mirable condition for blowing and
preparation for crops. Then comes a
season of rains and showers, which
lasts into July, when only occasional
showers occur to interfere with har-
vesting operations.
COAL, ROCK AND CLAY.
There is no longer any uncertainty
as to the discovery of coal in this val
ley. 1t has been found in several places,
and there is not the least doubt that it
will be developed i'll such quantities as
to supply fuel at very low rates. a
test is being made at Wichita with a
drill for coal. One small vein has been
passed through at depth of forty or
fifty feet. The present supply is fur
nished by the railroad at from twenty
five to thirty-fivc 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 quantities
sufficient for building purposes. Clay,
suitable for brick making, is abundant,
and the best quality of sand being
everywhere accessible, there is no lack
of excellent building material.
GYPSUM.
Should constant cultivation ever de-
vclop the fact in this valley. which is
apparent in all other countries in the
world. that fertilizers must first or last
be applied to all lands which are not
subject to overflow. if farms are to be
kept up to their original state of pro-
ductiveness, have a never failing sup
ply in the vast gypsum beds which in
tcrsect the valley in this and adjoining
counties. 1t is unsurpassed in quality
and inexhaustable in amount. When
broken to pieces and ground in mill
it becomes the ''land plaster" of com
mcrcc, which sells for ten dollars ton
i'll eastern cities.
That portion of the valley of which
we have been more particularly speak
ing-an area of fifty by one hundred
miles-boasts of many fine and flour
Ishing towns, where mechanics or
tradesmen may find splendid locations,
and where all may find churches, school
houses, printing presses and refined
and intelligent society. We may men,
ton Hutchinson, the county seat of
Reno county Newton. the county seat
of Harvey; Wichita. the county seat of
Sedgwick Wellington, the county seat
of Sumner: Eldorado. the county seat of
Butler; and Windfield, the county seat
of Cowlcv, besides Arkansas City. Ok
ford, Belle Plain. FL Paso. Caldwell,
Sedgwick City, Medicine Lodge and
many others. all of them growing and
doing an active business.
Such is the superficial character of
the Arkansas valley in the central parts
of the state, and the valleys of its east
ern tributaries. In conjunction with |
this favorable surface. is the richest |
soil, susceptible of the easiest cultiva-
ton: abundant flowing water from |
springs and streams: the sweetest fla |
vorcd and most wholesome water in |
wells in permanent supply at an aver
age depth of fifteen to twenty feet be-
low the surface; a pure, bracing air, |
entirely free from miasma or other un- |
healthy influences. with climate pc |
culiarly favorable for agricultural OPP
erations.
All these considerable advantages
combine to make this beautiful and !
fertile valley and these .ently-swelling |
slopes, especially attractive. The |
Young farmer seeking a home. who /
has few means beyond his own indus /
try and strong arms and willing hands |
whercwith to carve it out, may here /
find free homestead on United States /
lands. or purchase at low prices, on /
remarkable easy terms of payment and /
with liberal discount for improve !
ments, from the railrod company. Very |
often he may thus purchase at relative
ly cheaper prices than by taking a |
practically free gift from the govern
ment OF a tract of land for his farm. /
The parents of children who desire to /
establish them in homes of their own.
or to re-estahlish their own or their 4
health failing. in less favor
ga reyions may here exactly suit their