The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1875-08-19
Wheat Growing in the Arkansas
Valley,

TAX ing the past four years Of successful ex-
periencs and we may say that it has been de-
monstrated that the lower Arkansas Naiiey
comprises ono of the finest and most wonder
full wheat producing sections IN the known
world. Since the settlement and cultivation
of the lands comprising the counties OF Butter,
Cowley, Sumner, Sedgwick Reno and Harvey,
which counties lie upon, and contiguous to,
what We denominate tho lower Arkansas Val
ley, there has not been single failure OF the
winter wheat crop recorded. Upon the other
hand, each succeeding year has brought forth
more than an abundant yield, as measured by
the standard of the same crop In other states.
That the territory named will become famous
for, and rich in the future through its wheat
crops. we do not entertain a doubt. And
there are good reasons, outside OF the demon
strated fact, for the claim here set up. These
appertain to the soil, climate, altitude and iat-
itude. OF the component parts or clements
of our soil we need say nothing. ltwould be
superfiuous to urge its richness to readers VINO
so well know its capabilities from experience.
The climate We believe is the true secret OF
our fitness and adaptabilty to such success in
the growth of fall wheat. And what is true
of wheat is also true Of winter barley and rye.
Our peculiar climate is due principally to our
great altitude as plain, our latitude which Is
south of the great wheat growing belt, and
our contiguity to the gulf winds. The fact oil
our being SO far south for wheat country is
counterbalanced by an altitude which is over
IL oh ha
US country far enough south to escape
.swintsr killing" and "winter heaving," while
our altitude is as great as that of Southern
Michigan. The svsr-prevailing spring and
summer winds effectually lit fogs and low,
damp atmospheres, and eyaporates rapidly,
dews and rains, all sources of rust, blight and
mil-dew. Consequently, no such things as
rust, blight or mil-dew are apt to affect that
crop in tins valley. In addition to this fact OF
medium winter weather, and ceo,. breezy
spring and tummer days and nights, which are
so propitious for wheat, our rains come prin-
cipaly in the fall and spring-more in the lat
ter than in the former-ceasing, in great
measure. after the middle of une, in time for
the harvest and the successful curing OF the
grain. True, we have had rain almost contin-
uously this summer, in such quantities, too,
a. would have rotted or grown the wheat in
the shock in any other country in spite Of all
efforts; yet these same drying winds combined
with the rare, pure atmosphere incidentto our
high altitude, has saved the larger per cent. of
our wheat in spite Of continuous rains. Then,
a rich soil, mild winters, timely fall and spring
rains, consequent upon the contingencies
given, all conspire to make the lower Arkan-
sas Valley OF Kansas the finest wheat growing
section in the world. Whether we have stated
the true reasons or not the fact of our success
ia wheat culture for the past four years re-
mains patent enough, and while the reasons
and conclusions given may be entertained by
no one else, they are dotted down for the
scrutiny OF successful farmers whose views
upon the same subject-it they differ from ours
we should be pleased to hear and publish at
any time.