The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-12-19
KANSAS THE PEER OF ANY OF THEN.

tries there is more or less croaking on
account of their climate, soil,pecularities,
or something else. If another Garden
of Eden were "open to settlement" some
of the homesteaters would rise up anc
complain that 1t was too dry, too wet,
too windy, too cold, or too hot. Some
"doubting Thomas" would come forward
and venture the assertion that it never
could be good wheat country, suit
able stock country, or fine fruit coun-
try. 1t seems to be the nature of man
never to be absolutely contented; but
there are people in the world who will
make proper allowances for soil and
climate, and who believe that the perfec-
ton desired for can only be attained
by the employment of all the ener-
GIGS and resources that man can COM
mand. No soil in the world, and most
truthfulIy, no climate, can reach that
ideal soil and climate which SO many
spend years Of time and thousands of
dollars in searching for. 1t only exists
| in fancy, and the sooner one can bring
himself to believe that this is SO the bet.
ter it is for him.
But we do believe that when we lOok
at the question from all stand-points,
Kansas presents as many attractions to
those in search of health, land and for
tune as any country upon the globe.
The air Is not always soft and balmy
and eternaliv bearing the fragrance OF
flowers. The soil is not SO rich that
cereals grow without planting and cult.
vation-nor SO strong and .'warlike" as
to bear prolifica!ly armed men from sown
dragons teeth. The earth is not paved
with a mosaic of gold and silver dollars.
Not one of her springs contains the fab.
led youth-Ienewing secret. No, there
is none of this in farm-famed Kansas.
Such country exists only in figures of
speech and metaphor. If, however, these
trarscendent qualities and characteristics
are to be applied to any country on this
globe, Kansas should be the wavored
one." 1t possesses as nearly as it is pos
sible of anything earthly, all the re-
sources to make it reach that ideal Par
adisical land for which men so zealously
and eagerly seek. Those who come
here to farm must expect to work,
and those who come to make money in
any line of business must also expect to
work.
As in all new countries, so it is IN
Kansas thu soil must first be conquer
ed. 1t contains all the ingredients OF
fertility-there is no gain saying that /;
but for certain purposes must be cult
waited long and well,-trained like a
wild, spirited colt. Tho farmer who has
become familiar with the long cultivated
soil of some rich valley in Now York,
Ohio, or Michigan, cannot expect TO
come out into this country and apply
successfully all his experiences in East
ern farming to our virgin soil. 1t may
take years before he is able to do this !;
hence, for the first few seasons he may
not be much more successful with his
grain, vegetables and other products than
those who never had any experience in
tilling the soil. Our farmers are just
now being taught that which is alI-essen-
tial-an experience with Kansas soil.
They arc learning all about the PECULIAR.
ties of our climate also, and making use
of this knowledge from year to year.
As they become experienced they find
they can raise much better and larger
crops than IN the land from whence they
came. Ask any of our old and ex-
perienced Kansas farmers and they
all agree in this. A man may be first.
class theoretical farmer, be fully versed
in tho Information given by all the
best Agricultural journals of the East
and yet when he comes to Kansas
and commences farming will not sue
coed until he has had that experience
which We have spoken Of In fact, our
Kansas farmers often remark that the |
mass Of Eastern Agricultural journals
benefits them very little in applying
the information contained in them to !
their own farming. Of course the day
will come, after long and thorough
Of our soil, when information
based upon this experience of Eastern
farmers will be of use to them.
We have heard people state that Kan
sas can never become good fruit-grow-
ing State. Now there is no ground for
this statement. In early days the same
remark was made of some Of the older
Eastern States which to-day rank among
The best States for fruit in the Union.
Here again experience with our soil and
is needed. As is well known
,ur fruit for size and flavor has made
he best showing of the States at some
IF the great expositions. In Eastern
Kansas to-day there is no trouble in rails.
ng fruit of all kinds. All portions of
< ansas-when ave and eyperience hare