The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1875-03-11

necessary is. to keep down the prairlo
free. the putting in OF the seed or cut
tings, and with ordinary cultivation
all kinds of trees grew with such
astonishing rapidity as to test the ere
dulity OF eastern men. No doubt,
dense forests would have generations
siucc 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
Is hedge will in time be the univer-
sal fence. Cheap, sure and efficient az
q fence. q wind break for stock and q
relief to the eve, most of our farmers
arc already growing such fences, not
withstanding the "hcrd 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. If
springs and water-courscs iii whose
channels aquatic plants, needing for
their existence constant moisture; If
frequently-occurring streams; il 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 superfiuous to say that the wa
ter of this valley region is abundant
and pure. Its without doubt the best
watercd portion of Kansas. On the
bottoms ssdrive wells" or tube wells
are universally used. They consist OF
a tube of galvanized iron, with steel
point, the lower end of the tube hay
ing holes on the sides, around which is
wrapped q piece of wire gauZe for q
strainer, this pipe is driven into the
ground. through hole III 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 III
An hours time a boundless supply OF
pure. cold, healthy water is obtained.
HEALTHEuLNEss.
Here is q 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, is 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 irksomc nor fatiguing. These
constant breezes also afford unlimited
and valuable power for windmills Of
every description or for all purposes
CLIMATE.
| Here is climate which exactly meets
the requirements Of the Agricultural
whether lie be farmer, orchardist
stockman 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
mirable condition for blowing anC
preparation for crops. Then comes
season of rains and showers, which
lasts into July, when only occasiona
showers occur to interfere with har
vesting operations.
COAL, ROCK AND CLAY.
There is no longer any uncertaint!
as to the discovery of coal in this val
lev. 1t has been found in several places
and there is not the least doubt that il
will be developed in such quantities a
to supply fuel at very low rates. A
test is being made at Wichita with {
drill for coal. One small vein has beer
passed through at depth of forty O.
fifty feet. The present supply is fur
nished by the railroad at from twenty
i've to thirty-five cents per bushel
Rock is not so abundant as to be troub
lesome, as in some places i'll eastern
Kansas, but it is found in quantitie
sufficient for building purposes. Clay
suitable for brick making, is abundant
and the best quality of sand bein.
everywhere accessible, there is no lacl
Of excellent building material.
| GYPSUM.
l 6nOulu COuStiut CNCi NC
velop the fact in this valley. which !
apparent in all other countries III tn
world, that fertilizers must first or las
be applied to all lands which are no
subject to overflow, if farms are to b
kept up to their original state Of pro
,luctivcncss, have a never failing sup
ply in the vast gypsum beds which in
terscct the valley in this and adjoinin
counties. 1t is unsurpassed in Qualit
and inexhaustable in amount. Whe
broken to pieces and ground in mil
it becomes the "land plaster" Of CON
mercc, which sells for ten dollars TO
in eastern cities.
That portion of the valley of whic
we have been more particularly speak
ing--an area Of fifty by one hundrc
miles-boasts of many fine and flour
,shing towns, where mechanics o
tradesmen may find splendid Locations
and where all may find churches, schO6
houses, printing presses and refine
and intelligent society. We may mel
ton Hutchinson, the county seat c
Reno county; Newton, the county sea
Of Harvey; Wichita, the county seat G
Sedgwick WellingtOn,thec county sea
ofSumner; Eldorado. the county seat c
Butler: and Windfield, the county sea
If Cowlev, besides Arkansas City, Ok
lord, Belle Plain, Ell Paso, Caldwell
Scdgwick City, Medicine Lodge an
many others, all of them growing an
,loing an active business.
Such is the superficial character G
the Arkansas valley in the central part
IF the state, and the valleys of its cas-
srn tributaries. In conjunction wit
Ibis favorable surface, is the riches
soil, susceptible of the easiest cultiya
zion; abundant flowing water fror
springs and streams; the sweetest fls
vored and most wholesome water j
wells in permanent supply at an aver
age depth of fifteen to twenty feet bt
low the surface; pure, braeing all
entirely free from miasma or other ur
healthy influences, with q climate pr
culiarly favorable for agricultural or
srations.
All these considerable advantage
combine to make this beautiful an
fertile valley and these sently-swellin
slopes, especially attractive. TIL
Young farmer seeking home, VIII
has few means hey ond his own indu;
try and strong arms and willing hand
wherewith to carve il out, NAV her
lind q free homestead on United State
lands, or purchase at low prices, o
. remarkable easy terms of payment an
with a liberal discount for improv,
ments. from the railrod company. Yer
often he may thus purchase at relative
iy cheaper prices than by taking
practically free gift from the govern
ment of tract of land for his farm
The parents of children who desire 1
establish them in homes of their owl
or to re-establish their own or thei
: children's health failing, in less favor
ed regions, may here exactly suit thei
| mods ucce they will find a sociafinn