Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-17
For the VERMONT FARMER.
LETTER FROM KANSAS.

particular place in view, that have thought
perhaps some description of this part of
northeastern Kansas might be oi interest,
Being Vermouter myself, and we'll acquant-
cd with those dear old hills which if proper
ly cultivated eau be made to yield splendid
crops, which IN their turn will bring good
prices, and even as compared with ours very
large, would not say anything which might
be construed as advising people who are we'll
situated there to change for new country,
even If it is in my belief better country,
for we have some unpleasant things here !; [
don't mean by this anything very bad, but
just what is natural to a new country
some iaoonvenienoes such as any one must
expect to end for few years when taking
the bare prairie and making home upon
it,
Sabetha is pleasantly isituated on high
prairie about sixty miles northwest of St.
Joseph, Mo-, on the st. Joe aud Denver City
railroad, ten miles south of the Nebraska
state line. 1t contains about one thousand
inhabitants, which are mostly eastern people,
a great many being from the state OF New
York. This town looks the most like
smart, enterprising New England village of
any place have ever visited in the West.
There is considerable wild land in this vicin.
ity yet, that can be bought at nominal
price, ranging say from five to twelve dollars
per acre. Sabetha is in the eastern part Of
Nemaha County, the third county west of
the Missouri river. This county is wa
tered in the western part by the Nemaha
river, fine stream having wide meadows
which are noted for corn. This river is also
well timbered and at several places near by
coal has been discovered of good quality and
in sufficient quantity to furnish good sup
ply for the wants of the county, aud can
be had at the banks at about fifteen cents
per bushel. The eastern part of the county
is watered by several large creeks among
which may be mentioned Rock and Cedar
Greeks the latter, which is the head of
Grasshopper river, has large amount of ex-
ira timber, such as oak, black walnut hick-
ory. soft maple, and cottonwood, together
with many others have not the space to
mention.
Senica is the county seat, fifteen miles
west Of this town, and on the Nemaha river
1t has foe brick court house, several
churches, and many stores, and one weekly
newspaper, the Seniea Courier. This town
has some very elegant private residences to
grace the suburbs, and in all is very thriv-
ing town and bound to make its mark.
The soil is a deep, rich loa IN with clay
subsoil here, and of great fertility, all kinds
of grain doing we'll, as Of course is generally
known.
The climate is one Of the most attractive
points of this county. TIE general surface
being high rolling prairie, the atmosphere
is dry and bracing in its character. Fever
and ague, SO common in many portions of
the West, are hardly known here, as there
are no swamps nor stagnant pools to exert
miasmatic influences. We have in fact all
those good things that Mr.. G, spoke of in
his letter from Illinois, which was printed
in your paper Of March Goth, without the
sickness, which in his case was the principal
drawback.
Stock raising is carried on here very eT.
tensivey, and with great profit. The win
ters are dry, and stock need but little shell.
ter. This has been very mild winter, aud
everything in the line oi stock is generally
looking well winter grain is growing nicely
was not damaged in the least by the wealth
er. Fine prospect for fruit of all descrip
tiOns this summer, which will be appreciated
as last was a poor season, especially fol
peaches.
There is great demand here for farm
hands, and by the season they command
from $40 to S25 per month. During har
vest wages are from $3.50 to SO per day
and work here for farm hands is much light
er than at the East, as everything is done b.
machinery and horses no hOeing or shovel
ing. Carpenters make from $3.50 to 81
per day, and find plenty Of work during tel
months 10 the year.
Springs work commences here on farm
in February, wheat is So~n in March, an,
corn is planted in May. Prairie is usual
$ broken between the first of May and the las
Z. Of July.
a Educational privileges are excellent. w
Q have fine large school house in our town
which cost seven thousand dollars, emplo
: two teachers, aud give the young America
: fne chance for improvement.
People here generally get their waite
from wells, though there are some excellen
springs to be found in different places Goo
!! water can be had by digging from 10 to 2
: feet. Water is invariably hard.
We have in endless quantities splendi
. limestone for building purposes, and man
u build Of stone, it costing but little more tina
wood. Pine lumber Tor fencing can
bought at this place for S25 per thOusanC
and cottonwood for $40, Fence posts al
- worth at the woods ten cents apiece, Th
e country is being rapidly hedged with Usage
Y fence can be made in three years with tn
IN that will stop cattle aud horses, and at sma
* cost Sheep aud swine are not allowed
- :, run, and do not have to be fenced against.
Aud now, as | have written much mol
~ than intended to, must close, and in d.
st ing so let me say to those who against th
AZ advice Of all their friends have concluded