The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-10-16
GREENLEAF, Kan, Oct. s, 1870.


SIR-After about eight months resi-
dence will venture description of
this western country.
Greenleaf is located OH the Central
branch of the Union Pacific r. r. one
hundred and thirteen miles north west
of Atchison. We are in about 39b
N. Lat. and 97o w. Lon. and about
twenty miles from the Nebraska line.
The country is what is known as
rolling prairie. The soil is black
loan containing little sand. 1t va
ries from few inches to three or four
feet in depth.
The prairieis cut by what are termed
draws, out here. These are ravines
varying greatly in depth and abrupt
ness, but the most Of them admitting
Of cultivation. These draws serve as
waterways and drains, so that the wa
ter deposited l'y our heavy showers,
and not absorbed by the soil, is imme-
diately carried off to the creeks and
rivers and not left in some slough to be
eVaporated 10y the sun.
This part of Kansas is comparatively
we'll watered. There are some large
and many small streams traversing
this section of the state. Springs also
abound, but when man wants a we'll
he must dig for it, as the water is
found at from forty to one hundred or
more feet below the surface. But this
/ will say, it is good and the supply
abundant.
The timber is confined to the bottoms
skirting the streams; of which there is
a greater supply than one would think
from merely riding through by rail.
The timber being in the bottoms IS
looked o0er by travellers if seen at all.
One must go into the bottoms to get
an idea Of the size and number of the
trees. We have Oak, Ash, Elm, Cot
tonwood, Walnut and several other
varieties of less note. Much of this
timber is available only for frewood
and as much timber has been and con-
tinues to be planted I think the supply
will keep pace with the demand.
In addition to the wood supply we
have mines Of coal within days drive
where a good article of soft coal can
be had for $3.50 per ton. Weha I'M
developed mines much nearer.
The corn crop here is in excess of
any if not all other grain crops. The
yield will be an average it is thought,
though but little corn has been picked
yet.
Wheat follows corn in Importance.
Spring wheat was greatly damaged by
chinCh bugs, and farmers generally
have decided not to risk another crop.
Winter wheat is a good crop here gen
orally The yield is said to be twenty
bushels or more per acre, but this sea-
sons crop falls below that figure, ow-
ing to dry weather in the spring Or
early summer.
Vegetables and vines 90 well here.
Fruit Of ali kinds flourish, especially
small fruits, the grape and peach. APP
pie trees look thrifty but most of them
are too young to bear fruit.
We have had abundant rains and the
fall grains, wheat and rye, are looking
we'll.
This part of Kansas is prominently
a stock growing country. The reasons
for this statement will give at anoth-
er time, when will also note the settle
'ment and social standing of this Sec
zion, together With other facts that
would weary instead Of interest if in
cluded in this already drawnout letter.
G. E. TILLOTsON.
Senator Blaine last Saturday ad-
dressed the largest political gathering
at Iowa City ever held in that portion
of Iowa. There were from 10000 to
$4,000 in attendance, and fully 1900
surrounding the speakers stand. Mr..
Blaine spoke for two hours with great
power and influence, and held the un-
divided attention Of his audience.
HOME AFFAIRs.-From the press of
other matter for the TELEGRAPH we
have to forego writing of Home
Affairs this week. We have yet to