The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-07-16


necessary is to keep down the prairie
fires, the putting III OF the seed or cut
tiIgs, and with ordinary cultivation
all kinds OF trees grow with such
astonishing rapldity rs 10 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
fence, a wind break for stock and a
relief to the eye, 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.
1t has been widely supposed that
central and western. if not eastern
Kansas suffered from n 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 water-courses in whose
channels aquatic plants, needing for
their existence constant moisture: if
frequently-occurring streams; if rains
frequently occurring and copiously de-
scending: if all these are proofs, then
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
aud pure. 1t is without doubt the best
watered portion of Kansas. On the
bottoms ''drive wells" or tube wells
are universally used. They consist of
tube of galvanized iron, with Il steel
point, the lower end of the tube hav-
ing holes on the sides, around which is
wrapped n piece of wire gauze for a
strainer, this pipe is driven into the
ground, through a hole in the kitchen
floor if desired, or wherever indication
dictates, and water is reached at Il
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 q 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 a
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 irksomc nor fatiguing. These
constant breezes also afford unlimited
and valuable power for windmiIls of
every description or for all purposes.
CLIMATE.
Here is a climate which exactly meets
the requirements of the agriculturast,
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 adj
mirable condition for blowing and
preparation for crops. Then comes q
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
lev. 1t has been found in several places,
and there is not the least doubt that it
will be developed in 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-tivc 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-
velop 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 never failing sup
ply in the vast gypsum beds which in
tersect the valley in this and adjoining
counties. 1t is unsurpassed in quality
and inexhaustable in amount. When
broken to pieces and ground in mill
il becomes the Gland plaster" of COM
mercc, which sells for ten dollars a ton
in eastern cities.
TOWNS.
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 Welington,thec county seat
ofSumner; EldoradO. the county seat of
Butler: and Windfield, the county seat
of COwley, 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
vored and most wholesome water in
wells in permanent supply at an aver
age depth of fifteen to twenty feet be-
low the surface; pure, braciGg air,
entirely free from miasma or other I'M
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 sently-swelling
slopes, especially attractive. The
Young farmer seeking home, who
has few means beyond his own indus
try and strong arms and willing hands
wherewith 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 a liberal discount for improve
ments. from the railrod company. Very
often he NAV thus purchase at relative
lv cheaper prices than by taking a
practically free gift from the govern
ment of tract of land for his farm.
The parents of children who desire to
establish them in homes of their own,
or TO re-establish their own or their
children's health failing, in less favor