The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1874-05-07


all kinds Of trees grow with such
astonishing rapIdity as TO test the ere
dulity of eastern men. No doubt,
dense forests would have generations
since covered these rich rolling pral-
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, wind break for stock and
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 Il dry climate.
Like many other ideas rclatiye 10 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 i'll whose
channels aquatic plants. needing for
their existence constant moisture: II
notwithstanding streams: If rains
frequently occurring and copiously de-
sccnding: if all these arc 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 supcrfluous TO say that the wa
ter of this valley region is abundant
and 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
a tube of galvanized iron, with Il steel
point, the lower end of the. tube hav-
ing holes on the sides, around which Is
wrapped piece of wire gauze 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 i'll
an hours time boundless supply OF
pure. cold, healthy water is obtained.
! HEALTHFULNEss.
Here is a county in which malaria
finds no conditions favorable to its eX-
istcnce. Stagnant water Is not to be
found either on or beneath the surface.
The air. too. is i'll 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 inyigorated, and labor is
neither irksome nor fatiguing. These
constant breezes also afford unlimited
and valuable power for windmills OF
every description or for all purposes.
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 adj.
mirable condition for blowing and
preparation for crops. Then comes 4
season of rains aud showers, which
lasts into July, when only occasional
| sIOWc OCCul W iIlCIIC'C WIN ifti
vesting operations.
COAL, ROCK AND CLAY.
There is no longer any uncertainty
as to the discovery of coal in this val.
lev. II has been found in several places
and there is not the least doubt that il
will be developed in such quantities a:
to supply fuel at very low rates. a
test is being made at Wichita with &
drill for coal. One small vein has been
passed through at depth of forty 81
fifty feet. The present supply is fur
nished by the railroad at from twenty
five to thirty-five cents per bushel
Rock is not so abundant as to be troub
lesomc, as in some places in eastern
Kansas, but it is found i'll quantities
sufficient for building purposes. Clay
suitable for brick making. is abundant
and the best quality of sand being
everywhere accessible, there is no lach
of excellent building material.
GYPSUM.
Should constant cultivation ever de
velop the fact in this valley. which i:
apparent in all other countries in til,
world. that fertilizers must first or las
be applied to all lands which are no
subject TO overflow, if farms are to b'
kept up to their original state of pro
ductiveness, have Il never failing sup
ply in the vast gypsum beds which in
, tcrsect the valley in this and adjoining
counties. 1t is unsurpassed in qualit,
and incxhaustable in amount. Whci
, broken to pieces and ground in mil
it becomes the Gland plaster of com
mercc. which sells for ten dollars a ton
in eastern cities.
That portion of the valley of which
we have been more particularly speak
ing--an area of fifty BY one hundred
milcs-boasts of many fine and flour
+ Ishing towns. where mechanics o.
: tradesmcn may find splendid locations
, and where all may find churches, schoo
houses, printing presses and refined
and intelligent society. We may men
ton Hutchinson, the county seat o
4 Reno county Newton, the county sea
of Harvey; Wichita, the county seat o
[ Sedgwick Wellington, the county sea
of Sumner: Eldorado, the county seat o
+ Butler: and Windfield, the county sea
: of Cowley, besides Arkansas City, Ok
ford. Belle Plain. Ell Paso. Caldwell
Scdgwick City. Medicine Lodge AM
many others, all of them growing am
: doing an active business.
4 Such is the superficial character o
the Arkansas valley in the central part
a of the state, and the valleys of its east
: ern tributaries. In conjunction wit
1 this favorable surface, is the riches
: soil. susceptible of the easiest cultiva
, ton; abundant flowing water froi
: springs and streams: the sweetest fla
: vorcd and most wholesome water i
c wells in permanent supply at an aver
T. age depth of fifteen TO twenty feet be
t low the surface: a pure, bracing All
: entirely free from miasma or other IN
F., healthy influences. with a climate pc
q culiarlv favorable for agricultural OF
n erations.
f All these considerable advantage
1 combine to make this beautiful an
c fertile valley and these sentlyswellin
j slopes, especially attractive. Tn
;. Young farmer seeking home, VIII
/ has few means beyond his own indus
l try and strong arms and willing hand
e wherewith to carve il out. may her
V find free homestead on United State
t lands. or purchase at low prices, o
: remarkable easy terms of payment an
= with a liberal discount for improve
ments. from the railrod company. Yer
often he may thus purchase at relative
; " cheaper prices than by taking
II practically free gift from the govern
c ment of tract of land for his farm
: The parents of children who desire t
IL establish them in homes OF their owl
+ or to re-establish their own or thei
/ children's health failing, in less favor
I ed regions, may here exactly suit thel
L unro thn,. N. Ill find nssnci n inr