The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-03-02
THE GREAT LIMESTONE BELT
OF KANSAS.
The Attractive Region Of the West
BIZ MAJ. q. INNAN.

Tho Great Central Plains" are q geographical
feature Of the State Of Kansas, Covered with re>
markabe nutritious vegetation, for centuries they
were an immense pasture for countless herds Of
buffalo, antelope and ether Eliminating animals
whose habitat the far stretching green prairies
that to-day form Of the most beautiful agrcul-
tural portions Of the Mississippi Valley Less than
ten years ago this region believed by the o.
people in the East TO be Improbable desert but
is now the acknowledged garden Of the continent,
This truly magnificent country can claim the most
luxurant sell of all the "ereat West" and climate
that approaches perfection at least. Dr. B. E. Fryer
one Of the most eminent surgeons in the army, and
who was stationed for years at Fort Karker four
miles from the town Of Ellsworth declared this to be
"ths NEST perfect climate in the world" The whole
country is traverssd by series Of constant streams
sweet and wholesome springs and spring fed pool.
Delicious water is also always obtained in wells by
digging, at easily accessible depths. 1t 10 already
conceded that the United States Ia rapidly becoming
the grsnery OF the world particularly the produc
ti0n of wheat Kansas, an empire in ITSELF is taking
the lead in the culture Of this cereal. and in short
time will be acknowledged queen Of all the States in
the production Of this great staple. The state,
peciay her peculiarly wonderful fertile central
Comprised in what 10 now known the 'tlimestone
belt, under the test Of only few years has proved
to the world the iamsnce average its sell is capable
Of Each year increases the limit Of the wheat belt
as the frontier is pushed towards the mountains
within which found the greatest possibilities ag>
ricuturally.
1t Is remarkable fact that nearly all the lands of
the Kansas Pacific Railway included in the LINES
stn eoio urdar
this limit in that direction it ceases altsg.ther and
the country presents another geological formation
the soil Of which is very sandy and which, though at
present from fullness of its very printivensss is
capable Of producing good crops ofabsndant
rainfall lacks the Inherent qualities of sef.srtza-
ton and must rapidly deteriorats In this particu-
lar the Smoky Hill valley b immensely superior to
the areuacious lands Of the region south which Is
drained by the Arksasas and tributary streams. 1t
is well known by every farmer thst lime in some of
its combinations constitutes the essential ingredient
in all the more valuable grains and grasses. It's
presence in the coil consequently to be considered
condition fertility. 1t also acts q constitu-
| tional amsliorsnt Of much power, and when mi1ei
WITH or, underlying them friabls and consequently
more susceptible to the action Of atmospheric forces
Soil IL which there is due adnixture Of calcareoue
matter is not Sc liable to be injured rendered pas
tic by excess OF moisture while under crop. The
quality of the wheat raised in this great lims one
belt is conceded in all markets be the finest grade
known. 1t produces the familiar brands Of He'd
Southern -four for which St. Louis s justly celebra>
ted. This is easily accounted for from the fact that
the soil in which the wheat grown possesses due
admixture of calcareoss matter, which has q ten,
dsncy to make the hull of the grain much thinner
and the farpa itself in much greater quantity and in
richer quality than 10 grain grown the lands
which exhibit q deficiency of this earth. All our
nilIers will testify to the peculiar flour making
properties Of wheat in this essential, SURPRISING
that raised in other sections and 1t is attributed
tirsly to the fsct-which the analysis Of the soil
frms-that this called limestons belt" possesses
all the requisites OF the best wheat land in the world
Sand it is well known is injurious when it enters too
largely into The composition Of cultivated soils. in
othcr words, it is useless beyond certain proportion
That the rhinestone belt" or "wsndsrful wheat
region OF Central Kansas, 1t 10 sometimes called
bas the amount slick slica-the basis Of sand
fxsd in the proper proportion, is evident from the
fact that 1t requires peculiar conditions to lodge the
grain In the fed even after the most terrific showers
Considering the Question Of the relative fertility par
ticularly in its connection With wheat culture;
present richness Of sl end srduEsncs Est sntsr a.