The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1875-05-20

astonishing rapidity as to test the ere
! dulity of eastern men. No doubt,
dense forests would have generations
since covered these rich rolling prai-
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 uniyer-
sal fence. Cheap, sure and efficient as
a fence, wind break for stock and q
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 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. Ifl
springs and water-courses in whose
channels aquatic plants, needing for
their existence constant moisture: if
frequently-occurring streams if 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, it is |
almost superfluous 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
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 gauZc for q
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 a boundless supply of
pure. cold, healthy water is obtained.
HEALTHFULNEss.
Here is county in which malaria
finds no conditions favorable to its ex-
lstence. Stagnant water is not to be
found either on or beneath the surface.
The air, too, is in constant motion q
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
breezes also afford unlimited
md valuable power for windmills of
every description or for all purposes.
CLIMATE.
Here is 4 climate which exactly meets
he requirements of the agriculturast,
whether he be farmer, orchardist,
tockman or shepherd. In early spring,
when the soil is freed from the slender
,rasp of what little frost it is subject
o during the short winter, it is in adj
nirable condition for blowing and
for crops. Then comes a
eason of rains and showers, which
asts into July, when only occasional
howers occur to interfere with har-
'esting operations.
WAL, AMI CLAY |
There is no longer any uncertainty
S to the discovery of coal in this val
ey. 1t has been found in several places,
nd there is not the least doubt that it
viii be developed in such quantities as
0 supply fuel at very low rates. a
est is being made at Wichita with
rill for coal. One small vein has been
assed through at depth of forty or L
ity feet. The present supply is fur
ished by the railroad at from twenty
We to thirty-five cents per bushel.
Jock is not SO abundant as to be troub-
esome, as in some places in eastern !
.ansas, but it is found in quantities
efficient for building purposes. Clay,
nitable for brick making, is abundant.
nd the best quality of sand being
accessible. there is no lack
excellent building material.
GYPSUM. =
Should constant cultivation ever de-
elop the fact i'll this valley, which is
Dparent in all other countries in the
orld. that fertilizers must first or last
, applied to all lands which are not
Inject to overflow, if farms are to be
ept up to their original state of pro-
lctlveness, have never failing sup
y in the vast gypsum beds which in
rsect the valley in this and adjoining
'unties. 1t is unsurpassed in quality Vi
I'd inexhaustable in amount. When
oxen to pieces and ground in mill
becomes the Gland plaster" of COM
cree, which sells for ten dollars ton
eastern cities.
TOWNS. E
That portion of the valley of which
C have been more particularly speak
g AN area of fifty by one hundred
iles-boasts of many fine and flour
hing towns, where mechanics or
adesmen may find splendid locations,
ID where all may find churches, school n,
uses, printing presses and refined "
ID intelligent society. We may men,
IN Hutchinson, the county seat of
,no county; Newton, the county seat
Harvey; Wichita, the county seat of
dgwick; Wellington, the county seat
Sumner; Eldorado, the county seat of
Itlcr; and Windfeld. the county seat
Cowley, besides Arkansas CITY, Ok
ID, Belle Plain, FL Paso. Caldwell,
dgwick City, Medicine Lodge and
my others, all of them growing and
ing an active business.
Such is the superficial character of
2 Arkansas valley in the central parts
the state, and the valleys of its east
1 tributaries. In conjunction with
s favorable surface, is the richest
!, susceptible of the easiest cultiva-
N; abundant flowing water from
'ings and streams; the sweetest fla
red and most wholesome water in
lis In permanent supply at an aver A.
depth OF fifteen to twenty feet be- A.
the surface; pure, bracing air, j.
irely free from miasma or other un- Sol
llthy influences, with climate Pc
iarly favorable for agricultural op-
tions.
All these considerable advantages
nbine to make this beautiful and
tile valley and these gently-swelline
pes, especially attractive. The
ing farmer seeking home, who
few means beyond his own indus
and strong arms and willing hands
erewith to carve it out, may here
free homestead OH Unite States
as, or purchase at low prices, on Fast,
larkable easy terms of payment and ),
h liberal discount for improve -
ats, from the railrod company. Very
N he may thus purchase at relative
cheaper prices than by taking
ctically free gift from the govern
1t of tract of land for his farm. Goa
parents Of children who desire to
blish them in homes of their own.
% re-establish their own or their
dren's health failing, in less favor
egions. may here exactly suit their N