Wichita eagle., 1888-09-29
HOT WINDS AND RAIN BALL.
SPRINGFIELD, KAN, Sept. &c

SPRINGFIELD, KAN, Sept. 70.
To the Editor of the Eagle.
1t has been supposed by many and in
| deed some able articles have been Written
very recently attributing the hot winds
to the large tract of uncultivated laying
south of Kansas in the Indian territory
and Panhandle of Texas. And there
seems on the face to be good logic in the
argument if not real proof of the asser-
ton. do not propose so much to deny
that the true cause has been found as to
set forth some facts that may lead to
further investigation of the matter and
also to speak of the real condition and
prospect of this new southwest
country. 1t has also been stated that
the nearer the approach to the noun
tains the less the rainfall, and therefore
if in the eastern part of the state seasons
of drouth occur, their occurrence may
be SO prevalent farther west as to en-
tirely unfit the country for farming pur-
poses.
To the first proposition l observe that
If their deductions are in any way true,
there must be other and cOunteracting
causes, for passing west from Wichita
we find the burnt districts to lay In
waves; for many miles we find extra
good crops of everything, including corn,
then again a locality nearly burnt up.
For instance, through the greater
part of Kingman and most
of Pratt and Kiowa corn is full crop
where well put in and tended; then again
part of Mead is burnt up, coming into
Seward county it gets better and better
until the middle of the county is reached
where we find forty and fifty bushels to
be the yield; and as regards the second
proposition, if ever true there are eX-
treme exceptions, for we find all through
Stevens and Morton counties, even into
Colorado that the rainfall has been
abundant and where farming that could
be called farming has been done there is
a good crop of corn. But little wheat
was sown but good yields are al
most universally reported. One thing was
especially noted everywhere that sor-
ghum and broom corn was good crop,
and gathered around near by every
home are stacks of millet and other feed.
Corn is pretty generally cut up and
everything looks prosperous for new
country. / have travelled through this
country for the last two years and ex-
pected from reports to see the country
nearly abandoned or necessity for such
action, but to the contrary the most
marked improvements: fine groves have
been set out and growing, wells dug,
wind mills put up, and general home
like air begins to prevade everything.
1t is true that many schooners have been
seen with their prows pointed eastward,
but they come from Colorado, No Mans
Land and new claims where they could
not be expected to produce much the
first season; besides the few noted are
but drop in the bucket compared to the
great mass that cover this vast new EN-
pire.
Settle the matter of manufacturing
sugar from cane and the future of this
country is assured. She can also fur
nish broom corn for the world and cattle
for all the packing houses you may
secure. The towns and villages that
spring up as by magic have come to a
stand, and well they may until the coun-
try demands more such facilities. In
stead of having town lots talked of upon
the trains, stages and in hotels you will
hear of land, cattle and the possibilities
of production.
| have not heard a man since / left
home say that he was Democrat, but l
heard some tell why they had left the
party and were going to vote for Harri-
son. Adieu. d. j. CHATFIELD.