The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1882-01-26
KANSAS AGRICULTURE.

KANSAS AGRICULTURE.
The fourth quarterly report Of the Kansas
Beard Of Agriculture 10 1t hand promptly,
aud IL not only report for the quarter end.
ing December 3lst, but contains . summary
for the entire year, together with the most
recent and complete State map.
In the first thirty pages Is given state
ment Of the value OF the farm products OF
each county In 1851. and also those OF 1874,
(whem the first authentic statistics Of tho
State were taken), together with assessed
and real valuation per eapifs, in each county,
of farm products, the increase In the number
Of acres Of cultivated area, and the number
Of farm dwellings erected during the year
comprised between March /, 1880, and March
l, 1881, and the value Of the same. 1t is also
- complete an answer as can be made to the
oft-rspeated inquiry-"Which 10 the best
county in the State!' The statistical exhib-
its following, showing acres, product and
value Of field crops for 1SSi-frst by crops,
and then by counties-give in compact form
all the facts that figures can give regarding
the agriculture OF Kansas for 1881.
Tue special subject treated Of Ia this issue
10, the raising and profitable consumption Of
corn in Kansas. One hundred and twenty
Eve correspondents. selected for their pecu.
liar fitness, representing every portion Of the
State, have written able and exhaustive pa
pers upon this subject. Their experience In
raising this cereal in Kansas ranges from
i've TO twenty-seven years. 1t has been gem
orally supposed that the great money-produc-
ing crop of the State was wheat. A glance
ut the totals on pages 81 and % will tend to
remove this erroneous impression, Ms, it will
be observed, the cash value Of the corn crop
1881 exceeds that Of the wheat more than 100
per cent. These papers will be read closely
by those who either are Interested in this
branch of Kansas farming, or those contenl-
plating location In Kansas.
A report OF the proceedings had at the In
| ter-Stste Convention of boards of agricul-
ture, held in Chicago, November 9Th and 10th
follows the corn articles, and gives a synop-
sis of the business transacted.
The secretary has had specially prepared
by Z. W Perry, inspector of the United States
| cattle commission, ut the Union Stock Yards,
Chicago, An Interesting and instructive paper
| upon "the lung plague Of cattle, or conta.
gious pleuro-pneumonia. and its dangers to
Kansas herds" The information contained
in this paper will be eagerly sought for by
western stockmen, who for more than year
| past have lived in constant dread Of thai
blighting seourge. This 10 the first attempt
OF any agricultural organization west of the
Mississippi to put stock-rsisers on their guard
against it.
| A short article 10 also given on the loss Of
cattle in stalk fields, and one by DIR. Paarer
on the malady known Us "pink eye" among
horses.
Following 10 u paper upon The desirab.lity
Of Kansas increasing her sheep interests
and . table showing the product Of l,VOt
ewes curing = period Of Zen years, which
will be useful to those who are interested IL
pastoral pursuits.
| The subjects OF public lands, which fol
lows, is thoroughly treated. The laws Of the
United States and the most recent rulings o.
the General Land Office concerning the &c
quirement Of Government lands, are con
densed and presented to the reader in way
that can be readily understand. Then the
| reports Of the VARIOUS land Offices, railroads
State institutions and public school land'
are given, showing the number Of unoccu
pied acres in each county, and when for sale
by whom, and the maximum and minimum
prices.
The reports of the regular correspondence
of the Board, showing conditions OF crops
and stock, are aggregated by counties, ant
show . remarkably heathfui and encourag
ing condition OF affairs.
A schedule Of prices at which all kinds o.
merchandise are sold, and the wages received
| in the several branches OF industry, are next
given. This is intended for the information
of people contemplating removal to Kan.
| sas.
A summary Of the weather and rainfall fOr
the year, and the usual meteorological data
| for the quarter, closes the volume.
These reports are for free distribution, and
an appropriation is made by the Legislature
| to pay postage, but il has proven insufficient
to move the great number Of documents the
department is called on to furnish to the
thourands WHOSE eyes are turned Kansas.
ward.
Those desiring copies should forward seven
cents in stamps to the secretary, VIM. Sims,
| Topeka, Kansas. and while the supply lasts
he will be very glad to promptly forward
them,