The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-01-14
A sound Basis for Better Times

A sound Basis for Better Times.
We have been much interested in the
comments Of the Western papers OF the
advantages Of the recent cold snap, as
showing The immense amount Of agricul.
tural product brought out by it and also
the vast amount yet to follow.
A Chicago correspondent who took a
run down on the Chicago 4 Alton Rail
road a, far as Dwight rs miles from Chi
easo, writes to the New York Balaia Of
Saturday some interesting particulars
Of his observations. Dwight is in the
heart Of one Of the largest corn
growing districts Of Illinois, and there
the correspondent found thatthe farmers
had been completely mud bound fOr
weeks; SO much SO that they had been
compelled to "carry on their backs all
they ate or drank for nearly Two
months" For fuel they had been burn
log their corn, being unable to haul coal
to their homes over the terrible roads
But when the freeze came the roads froIe
solid a. rocks, and rough as they were at
frst they we're soon worn smooth "by the
continual stream Of wagons which were
pouring into town from every direction
These wagons were loaded with "corn,
grain, and hogs" and gave every "evi-
deuce that this whole section is rich Ii
grain and produce"
.The farmers themselves seemed happy
In the fsctthat they had so much 10 their
power 10 relieve the great burthen which
they have placed upon the merchants IL
not being able to meet with promptnes'
their overdue obligations. The mer
chants were also unanimous in the opin.
ION that II "this weather only kept on
they would be "all right" We spent 4
whole day In this busy, active town, and
never before SO thoroughly realized the
fact that the iarmsr after all is II main
ntsy and support. We could not hell
wishing that we could have some n il
the West with genius enough TO grasp
our great problem-not rapid transit, bu.
solid tranal,-for all seasons Of the year.
The matter Of 'solid transit" Is one
that interests all farmers, not only 10 the
West but also in this region. Better
country roads Is n felt necessity every
where almost. An experienced cores
pendent OF the Chicago Tribune advises
the farmers to cover the country road
heavily with gravel from the creek
bottoms, and thus provide against mud
embargos.
It was not, however, Of the Western
roads hat we set out to speak, but Of The
crops. The spring trade must feel til,
stimulus Of the immense wealth that Is
coming into market all over the West
Not only this, but, as we observe, there
never has been such a prospect for another
immense crop ofiwheat as there is at THU
time. The yield and the prices Of th'
last season stimulated the farmers to put
in an extraordinary breadth Of land, and
the sowing has come forward in remar'
kably promising style. Here is. for in
stance, a specimen Of tho reports from
Kan,as, the State that produced a hun
bred millions Of bushels last year.
Allen County-Winter wheat dec. 81.
green and growing finely; acreage, ten pei
cent increase.
Bourbon County-Winter wheat acreage
increased 200 per cent; could not he better
has grown several inches In the last tire,
weeks. .
Cowley County-Winter wheat acreag,
increased 90 per cent present appearance
indicates an enormous growth.
Davis County-Winte wheat never look
ed 30 well as at present, and prospect for st
large o crop.
Kinsley County-Winter wheat could
not look better ut this season OF the year
Acreage increased 800 per cent.
Jefferson County-Thirty.three per cent
more wheat sown than usual.
johnson County-Wheat growing up TO
Christmas; 100000 bushel, Of corn in III,
county.
Lesvenworth County = Winter whea,
locking well; very large acreage sown.
Marion County-Winter wheat 10 PEE
tent increased In acreage; prospects tin'
for q crop.
Montgomery County Wheat acreage YER,
large; prospect best ever known in tn,
West.
Russell County-Winter wheat looks un
usually we'll; better prospects than We hay,
ever hadin this county.
Rush County-Winter wheat2 rs per cen
better than IN average.
WabaunIee County-Winter wheat acre
age increased 100 per cent; looking splen'
dialy.
looked better; one-third more planted thar
usual.
Such prospects, ss these furnish thu
data for expecting better times in th,
near future. All the imitation that WA
ever dreamed Of by Sam Cary and thu
whole tribe Of unlimited paper money
philosophers, holds out no such promise
as this for enduring relief. Thi, is rea.
substance, while their panaceaa are mer,