The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-09-14
Far Away Kansas.
MARQUETTE, KAN, Sept. 6, g
ED I

no Il EEBdb uSul 10
being said in regard to crops, dry
weather, etc., everywhere this year,
perhaps it will not be amiss to say
something in regard to this portion of
Kansas. The wheat crop has not been
total failure, neither has it been a
success. In some places it has been
quite good averaging about 20 bushels
per acre, while in other places it has
not been worth harvesting. l see by
one of our county papers that careful
estimate has been made as to the pro-
duction of wheat here, the result of
which is yield of II million bushels
in Mcpherson county this year. Cars
loaded with grain are being shipped
daily to Kansas City and elsewhere,
prices varying from $1.OO to $1.20
per bushels. The corn crop has been
injured greatly by the chinch bugs,
also by the hot winds, yet it is thought
there will be enough raised throughout
the State to feed the vast amount of
stock in it. l see here and there fields
of the best corn | ever saw raised (bUt
the stalks are not as large as coffee
cups, ct least not ours) while l see
many fields that will hardly pay for
husking. The price of corn is about
rs cents. We have had good bit of
rain here, yet at times it has been and
is now very dry, owing to the hot
winds which so soon absorb the mois-
ture we have not, l think been with
out rain for greater space of time
than 3 weeks, and then our rains were
not merely showers, but steady drench-
ing rains. The soil here is fertile and
crops grow well when they are not
destroyed by insects, and sufficient
lain falls. Potatoes are a failure ex-
cept where sufficient mulching was
put on to retain the moisture; in these
cases good crops, both in quantity and
quality, have been raised. Owing to
the unusually long and severe winter
nearly all the straw as we'll as THE hay
was consumed, making it difficult for
the farmer to procure either to cover
his potatoes, and as a result they bring
from $3.50 to $500 per bushel in
market.
/ have seen some very nice sweet
potatoes raised here, and some large
and delicious waterm elons, muskmel-
ons and canteleups. | brought a
watermelon from my patch recently
which measured feet 6 inches, by 2
feet and inches. | wish when enjoy
ing feast of these that some of my
Forest county friends were here to
help me devour some of them. Peach
es are plenty, but of an inferior quail
ty, owing to the hot sun. Wild grapes
and plums grow in abundance, so we
do not suffer much for fruit, though We
do not have many apples. We have
had thus far no very destructive
storms, although some parts Of the
State have been visited with terrible
storms, destroying both property and
lives.
We had the pleasure of attending
Kansas Camp Meeting, recently 1;
the attendance was good some very
able speakers were there. The order
was very good, which we think speaks
well for the community. The teachers
Normal Institute of our county has
just closed, having been in session for
one month. The school board Of the
county seat has just hired the teach
ers for the ensuing term, a Principal
whose salary is 500 per month, and
five assistants whose salaries we have
not learned.
A sorgum factory has just been
erected on .he section on which l re.
side. They are manufacturing very
good quality Of molasscs at soc. per
gallon.
Since have been writing it has
commenced raining, and the prospects
are that we shall have a settled rain,
which will rejoice the hearts of the
farmers, as it has been too dry to do
their seeding. Many Of the people