Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-08-30
MI MARYLAND AND THEIR
KANSAS.

KANSAS.
We have received the report of the
Secretary of the Kansas State Board
of Agriculture for July. 1t shows
that 2,15l acres of winter wheat have
been harvested with An estimated
average yield of 2l.75 bushels, and
that the State has 4 ,54590S acres i'll
corn. A generation ago there was
nothing in Kansas but sand and
wind and sky. The summer sun
hung its fiery furnace above parched
and cracking sod. The sparse veg
citation scorched and simmered in the
sunshine. The sandy plain stretch
ed away to the horizon around the
travellers path like shroud. The
hunter bathed his weary feet in
tiny stream that lost itself in the
desert, and pillowed his tired head
on the memories of a fairer land.
No explorer hoped, no trader dream
ed that the country was worth cul-
tivation, or fit habitation for the
sons of men. Such were the reports
that came to us. But the homes of
over a million of people greet the
morning sun, and their plows have
turned up the sod to its evening rays.
The hand of the yeoman has not
struck the rock of the desert in vain.
The summer prairies are yellow still,
brit it is the color of the golden
grain, and not the treacherous SHIN
mer of the brszen earth. The no,
rizon's mighty circle is as loosely
drawn, as dimly distant as of yore.
But it bounds green meadows, yellow
fields, fruitful orchards, to-day, in
stead of the vast e1panse of dwarfed
brown grass. In the terse vernacular
of the border, the Kansas settlers
didn't go there for their health.
Their bins and barns are full, their
children we'll clad and their schools
well kept.
In the light of such record, one
begins to appreciate Commissioner
Lormg's facts aid stands in silent
awe before the comparisons between
Kansas and Maryland deduced from
his statistics. With two hundred
prosperous years behind her Mary
land needs no eulogy. But it would
just paralyze the old Calverts, and
the other real estate agents of two
centuries ago to see what the Kansans
can say for themselves. Corn, Kan
sas 36.7 bushels to the acre; Mary
land 1856; wheat, Kansas 17.5; Mary
land 1871; oats Kansas in the lead
by 20 bushels per acre; and that
is the way the record talks for 1888.
The field crops of Kansas make re-
turn of 22.25 per cent. ON money in
vested in farming lands. Those in
Maryland but 17a per cent. We can
almost hear tho bones of the old
Lord Baltimores rattle in their collins
in impatient contradiction. And
look at this an acre of farming land
in Maryland is worth $32.33, ac-
cording to the national department
of agriculture. The acre in Kansas
could be bought for $1O.98. On an
acre of land in Maryland you can
raise 26 bushels of corn, or IL of
wheat, or 20 of oats. Now, suppose
you have $32.33 invested in Kansas
farms. 1t will purchase little less
than three acres. Instead of 26
bushels of corn you will get 10S, in
stead of 10 bushels of wheat 81 ; in
stead 20 of oats, 1872. Such are the
compilations from Commissioner
Loring's figures. 1t begins to look
as if the US. Department wanted
US all to 60 to Kansas. And in
truth, there is room enough. Of the
50,000,000 Kansas acres but
2O,000,000 are in farms. On these
live somewhat more than million
Of people. There is ample room on
the rest for Maryland's million.
However, we won't all 60. Some of
US will cling to the old landmarks
and homesteads in the face of figures
and in the teeth of facts. But to
our friends on the prairie we give
good-speed. We rejoice in your pros
perity. We are glad to know that
your fields are fertile and your harvest
abundant, We live under the same
sun and sleep beneath the same stars
And we are pleased to remember that
some of those who dared the tabled
desert found it worthy home for
honest men, still turn with kindly
memory to Maryland, my M aryland.
Map, pamphlets and descriptive mat
ter will be sent free upon application
to W. ]. G. Kenyon, Passenger and