Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1886-11-04

were Il separate cnCFleS VI DuSuel Saul-
pies of winter wheat, consisting of
three varieties, Red May, May, and
Turkey Red that run from 614 to Is
pounds to the bushel. There were al
so twenty specimens Of bundles, show
ing excellent straw. Seven varieties
of corn were on exhibition, of the
white, yellow and mixed kinds. One
hundred ears were allowed for bushel,
and such ears ten years ago would have
been considered the fanciful flight of
the most visionary of hopeful Kansas.
Then it was thought that corn would
not grow and come to maturity at an alti-
tude off, 500 feet, yet there were twenty
lots whose ears measured 10 to II inch
es in length and to 8 in circumfer-
ence, the equal of that grown in the
most fertile and productive of valley
lands far to the east Of Kansas in the
same latitude. Three varieties Of oats
in sacks and dozen specimens in the
sheaf, showing an excellent growth and
a perfect maturity. Very good SAM
Piles Of millet, sorghum, rice corn and
broom corn we've among the rewards Of
the faithful Kansans.
Now, then, as stand and look over
the immense show of vegetables, l
hardly know whether to mention in de-
tail or not, as few persons who have
some idea of grasshoppercd and drouthy
Kansas will believe it, coming as the
report does from the southwest part of
the state, where, until within the past
two years the country was generally un-
derstood to be only adapted to the
wants and ambition of the stock man.
Be that as it may, I'll give some Of
the points picked up and leave the rest
to the Imagination of the doubling
Thomas, and let the confirmation rest
with him until he comes and views it,
or learn more of its history through
sources other than that of your humble
correspondent. Potatoes, both Irish
and sweet, the former many of them
weighing over one pound and many Of
the latter 8 to 10 pounds; onions 3
pounds; turnips 80 inches in circumfer-
ence; watermelons, wagon-loads of
them, weighing 40 to 60 pounds; can
taloupes Is to 20, and bects p feet
long, measuring 10 inches in diameter;
cabbage hard, compact, and solid, u
pounds, carrots, parsnlps, peanuts, ar
ti0hokes, tomatoes, asparagus, peppers,
castor beans, cucumbers, pie plant,
kale, pumpkins and squashes, of these
there were twelve that weighed each
over 100 pounds and could hardly be
gotten into big wagon bed.
OF individual displays l will briefly
noti:e those of Nathan D. Starks, r.
f. Burnes and F. C. Zimmerman.
Mr.. Starks resides in Ford, and among
other things in his display he had
twelve of the largest pumpkins, two
squashes and eighteen cucumbers, that
in all probability were never excelled
in the state of Kansas, or by any other
state. His entire collection reflected
much credit on the future greatness of
Ford county. Mr.. Burns until two
years ago practiced law and until that
time knew but little of practical farm
work. He located twenty-eight miles
east of Dodge City on quarter section
of raw prairie land and began to make
farm. He now has 335 acres of
which ninety are in cultivation. and
right now if the over skeptical were
here to view his layout of farm prod
ucts at the exposition he would surely
exclaim, there is yet God in Israel
and all Kansas is a fine country. To
make long story short, his display as
whole was not excelled by any Of his
competitors. Mr.. Zimmerman came
to Ford county in 1872 and resided
here since that time. He demonstrated
that fruit, forest trees and the vine
would flourish in this section of the
country. He had on exhibition two va
rieties of apples, the Rambo and Rawl's
Janet, that we're grown on trees planted
in 1878. Pears eleven inches in cir
conference. Concord grapes of very
sweet flavor and had representation
of vine that bore over 500 punches of
this delicious fruit. This season his
little experiment of vineyard pro-
duced over 5000 pounds of choice
grapes. Showed quantity of walnuts
that were grown on trees started from
the seed in 1878. Several branches of
box elder, bearing seeds, and walnut
and catalpa sprouts that we're from five
to seven feet in height. showing re-
markable growth during one year. He
informed me that his land might prop
erly be termed upland prairie and at
tributes his success in great measure
to the careful attention and cultivation
that he had given to his experiments.
There were several varieties of apples
shown that were grown in the county.
Perhaps one of the most instructive and
useful little displays made by lndivid-
uals was the apple show, by Messrs.
Blair & Kaufmsn, of Kansas City.
They had an exhibition of fifteen vari-
cites that had been tested and were
found best suited for propagation In
Western Kansas. For summer, the
Early Harvest, Sherwoods Favorite
and Red Astrachau; for fall the Rambo,
Maiden's Blush and Haas; for winter
Ben Davis, Huntsman' Fayorite,
Grimes Golden, Wine Sap and the
White Winter Pearmain. All the de-
partments usually found at agricultural
fairs were well represented.
The educational exhibit made by the
DODGE Citv and Speareyille city schools,