Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-01-28


boundry Of the State IT Kansas.
On finishing my survey, which has had 10
its chief object to ascertain the agricultural val
ue of the lands of the district referred to, All
free to say that never passed through BETTE
or so good a tract of land. or one so reHarkabl
favorable to settlement, as the one in question
by closest observation throughout journey o
a thousand miles back and forth, aud through
the country in places ten miles distant from TIM
| railroad, fails to detect so much as any singh
acre in any one place. in any toy nship passe'
through, which was not capable Of easy ant
| profitable cultivation. So easy are the slopes
the bluffs, 50 level the bottoms, so regular tn
the quality of the soil, that there is nothing 4
hinder the pillow from trayersing the whole vale,
/ from end to end, aud turning one continuous
! fulow for three or four hundred miles in length
unless it be the frequent springs and water
courses that would be encountered.
| Such is the superficial character of the Ar
kansas Valley in the western and central parts
of the State, aud the valleys OF the eastern trib
utaries In conjunction with this favorable
surface, found the richest soil, susceptible o.
the easiest cultivation; abundant flowing water
| from springs and streams; the sweetest-isvored
| and most wholesome water in wells in permi-
nent supply at an average depth OF 10 to u
| feet below the surface; pure, bracing air, en-
tirely free from miasma or other unhealthtul in
flucnccs, with a climate peculiarly favorable foi
agricultural operations.
OF these advantages | will say few words
in detail as to the results Of my observation.
First, as to soil Generally this is a deep, black
loan, resting on lighter colored subsoil .oi
loan, clay or gravel, both soil and subsOil being
80 porous that surface water readily passes
through them, and in no case is there any dith :
Guilty experienced in crossing with horses and
wagons or stock, any watcr-courses or beds OF
streams. This porosity of the soil, while 1t
renders it capable of being plowcd or worked
Immediately after the heaviest rains, at the same
time keeps it constantly moist by evaporation
from below, and protects it from drouth With
in six hours of the cessation of a rain in which
Judge at least three inches of water fell, saw
farmers breaking sod and cultivatiug the young
corn. The crops of corn, oats, rye, spring and
fall wheat, potatoes and garden vegetables: wl ich
saw growing, both on new and old breakings,
in various localities in the valley, are equal to
any that | have ever seen elsewhere, during
may years experience. Iknow Of no part Of
the country possessing more dHrdciire SOIL
for the Turner than this.
Second, as to water. If springs and water
courses III whose channels aquatic plants, need
for TIER existence constant moisture; iffrequeIt-
ly-occurring streams; If rains frequently occur
ring and cOpiously descending; if all these are
proofs, then there is abundant testimony that
there is ample rainfall for all the purposes of
agriculture. The vast majority Of wells are
- driven wells, consisting OF iron pipes pointed
and perforated at the ends, which are driven by
blows into the soil to depth OF from ten to
twenty feet or less or mere, where unfailing
water is found and pumped up. These cheap
and seryiceable wells are attached to every
dwelling.
Thirdly, as to healthfulncss. Here is a coun-
try in which malaria finds 10 conditions favor
bic to its existence. SMgtant water is not to
be found either on or beneath the surface. The
air too is in constant motion; fresh breeze con-
stantly fans the cheek and brings health to the
lungs. In such an atmosphere as here exists,
the system is in vigorated. and labor is neither
irksome nor fatiguing. These constant breezes
also afford unlimited and valuable power for
wind-lnills of every description or for all pur-
poses.
Fourth, as to climate. Here is climate which
exactly meets the requirements Of the agricul-
turist, whether he be farmer, orcharlist, stock
man or shepherd. In early spring, when the
soil is freed from the slender grasp Of what lit
tie frost it is subject to during the short winter,
it is in admin able condition for blowing and
preparation for crops
All these considerable advantages combine to
make this beautiful and fertile valley and these
gently-swelling slopes, especially attractive to
certain classes.
For instance, the young farmer seeking a
home, whoshas few means beyond his own indus
try and strong arms and willing hands where
with to carve it out. He may here either find
a free homestead on United States lands, or pur-
chase at low prices. Oh remarkably low terms OF
payment and with liberal discounts for Improve
ments, from the railroad company. Very often
he may thus purchase nc relatively cheaper
prices than by taking practically free gift
from the government Of d tract Of land for his
farm.
The parents CT children who desire to estab-
lsh them in homes Of their own, or to re-estab-
fish their own or their children's health, failing
in less favored regions, may here exactly suit
their needs Here they will find associations
and converiences equal to those they desire to
leave; schools as good, an already comparative
ly well-settled country, with agreeable neigh
bors, and in many sections considerable towns
and rich lands TIA
The well-to do farmer here, in place Of his
present well-improved but small eastern farm,
may procure a much larger tract, in which
he can put the pillow to work the day Of
his arrival hither, and in short time may have
a better stocked and better improved farm than
he before possessed, with the expenditure of but
a small portion of his money; the balance he
n,nr caf,lu ftcaf,tllu md it.x
loans on the best security and high rates Of in
terest.
The man of small capital of from $4,000 to
$1,000 will find openings in business, in which
he may utilize the abundant clays suitable for
brick, o stoneware, the valuable building stone,
the gypsum or coal or salt, profusely scattered
in extensive beds at moderate depths below the
surface, and thus not only make wealth for
himself but enrich the locality in which he casts
his lot.
The sheep or stock farmer may here find ex-
tensiye pastures available the year round, with
with no need to feed his stock except during
the few weeks in which the usually short winter
prevails; in fact, he here finds the abundant
grasses Of the North with the genial climate of
South conjoined for his advantage
This country is a sleeps paradise. A short,
sweet, nutritious heritage, dry soil, absence of
cold rains and intoerable heats. rolling up,,
land, pure water, pure air, an entire absence of
overHowed lands or bottoms, altogether made
up precisely the conditions needed for the well
fare of the flock. At the present time no more
favorable opening could be imagined that now
exists for embarking proftably in sheep or stock
raising. A homestead of six hundred and for
ty acres suitable for winter-keeping and feed
ing, and the owners dwelling place, can be
purchased within FIVE miles of towns, for five
dollars per acre. subject to discounts for in.-
preyements. Unlimited range may be had for
some years to come at distance Of ten to twen-
ty miles from the railroads, on which stock may
be herded camfo' tably for ten months in the year
Timber is scarce in the west although album