The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1875-06-03

uulltN OF tasteiH ilItH- NJ uouot,
dense forests would have generations
since covered these rich rolling pral-
ries, but for the destructive OF fires
that annually swept over them. But
| il is much cheaper, better and quicker
to build up homes and make farms
! here than it was for our foretathers
east and north, who were compelled to
! first remove heavy forests from the
grounds. For fencing the Usage Orange
as a hedge will ia time be the uniyer-
sal fence. Cheap, sure and efficient as
fence. a wind break for stock and q
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.
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. II
springs and water-cOurses i'll whose
channels aquatic plants, needing for
their existence constant moisture: II
notwithstanding streams; II 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, ii Is
almost supcrfluous TO say that the wa
n If fhi- uollat- abundant
and pure. Ii 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 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 in
an hours time bOundless supply of
pure, cold, healthy water is obtained.
HEALTHFULNEss
Here j. 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, il 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 irksome nor fatiguing. These
constant breezes also afford unlimited
md ,oluo hIo fnt lla n
every description or for all purposes.
CLIMATE.
Here is a climate which exactly meets
the requirements of the agricuturast,
whether he be farmer, orchardist,
stockma 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
mirabe 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 i'll 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 n
drill for coal. One small vein has been
passed through at depth of forty or
fifty feet. The present supply is fur
nishcd by the railroad at from twenty
five to thirty-five cents per bushcl.
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 i'll the
world, that fertilizers must first or last
be applied TO all lands which are not
subject 10 overflow, if farms are to be
kept up to their original state of pro-
ductivencss, have never failing sup
ply iii the vast gypsum beds which III
tersect the valley in this and adjoining
counties. 1t is unsurpassed in quality
and ineXhaustable in amount. When
broken to pieces and ground in a mill
it becomes the Gland plaster" Of com
mcrcc, which sells for ten dollars tom
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
milcs-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 scat Of
Reno county: Newton. the county seat
of Harvey; Wichita, the county seat of
Scdgwick /; Wellington, the county seat
ofSumner: Eldorado .thc county seat of
Butler; and Windiield, the county seat
of Cowlcv. besides Arkansas City, Ok
ford Belle Plain, Fl Paso. Caldwell,
Scdgwick City. Medicine Lodge and
many others. all of them growing and
doing an active business.
! the Arkansas valley in the central parts
/ of the state, and the valleys of its cast
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 miaSmI or other un-
! healthy influences, with climate pc
cularlv favorable for agricultural op-
eratiOusy
All these considerable advantages
combine to make this beautiful and
/ fertile valley and these sently-swclli
slopes. especially attractive. The
Young farmer seeking a home, who
/ has few means beyond his own indus
/ try and strong arms and willing hands
/ whcrcwith 10 carve il out, nay here
/ find a free homestead on mite States
! lands. or purchase at low prices, on
remarkable easy terms of payment and
with a liberal discount foT improve
mcnts from the rain Oh company. Very
/ often he may thus purchase at relative
I ~ cheaper prices than by taking q
practically free gift from the govern
mcut of 4 tract Of land for his farm.
/ The parents of children who desire TO
establish them in homes OF their own,
or TO rc-c,tabish their own or their
children, health failing, in Les, favor
( ed regions, NAV here exactly suit their
needs Here they viii find associations