Wichita eagle., 1889-12-20


ever she needs it, but we spare 1t only be-
cause we have corn to fall back upon. 1t 1t
were not for this peculiar product OF our
climate, all the wheat we raise would not
tie sufhclent for our own wants. Previous
10 1904 Tor many years our average exports
were G.OO0,OOO bushels. Our population
doubles In about twenty years. The rela-
tive diminution of the wheat crop is SO
great that the whole United States will
loon have to rely on the virgin soil OF the
now uncultIvated west. A few suggestions
In regard to irrigation. l think the most
practical theory is to supply the farm with
numerous ponds to contain acres OF water,
all over the west. The evapOratson will
aid in making the atmosphere more hui
mid. That damp atmosphere will inyigor-
ate vegetation. even if it don't cause more
frsquent rain fall. The horticultural de-
partment is the most profitable of all the
industries connected with the farm. For
some years past the horticulturists have
been greatley annoyed by coddling moth
and curculio, but of late we have learned
TO destroy them in the bud at very small
expense. According to the reports of the
State horticultural society sor 1878, the
estimated profits on a ten acre orchard the
hrst ten years after planting. counting
cost OF trees and liberal price for labor
bestowed in its care and cultivation. The
firofits foot up 500 SO per annum for twenty
estimaced at IS per tree with proper care
and good selection of never failing varie-
ties. We have no doubt this estimate is
very nearly correct.
Trees planted thirty feet apart allows
forty-nine per acre. At S. per tree after
ten years planted. foots up S245 per acre
One man. with the assistance of boy to
drive the team can spray ten acre or
chard in one day; 40 cents worth OF Paris
green and ten pounds OF unslacked lime.
Lewis spraying pumps are most suitable
for common purposes and only cost So.
The estimate for a peach orchard per
acre for eight years from date of planting,
counting cost of trees and liberal price
for preparing ground, planting etc.. MAX
ing due allowance for intermediate crop
ings. The net profits foot up at SIS 80 per
annom for eight years from date of plant
ing. This estimate was given by Mr.. j.
Nixon, of Sumner county, Kansas. In or
der to obtain the best results with fuit of
any kind, the land should be SUBSIDIZED and
thoroughly pulverized before planting.
The peach orchard requires spraying in
the spring just as the bloom begins to
open; the codling moth makes it appear
ance at that time and deposits the eggs in
the bloom. In Cue time 1t will hatch and
eat its way into the fruit. Southern Kan
sas' climate is undoubtedly the home of
the grape, especially for the Leading native
varieties. The vineyard has never failed
under any circumstances. A careful esti-
mate foots up in net profits on an average
for ten years from the date Of planting 1T
500 per acre. There are some varieties
that will Overrun that estimate.
After short time spent in general dis
cussion the association adjourned, and
most of those in attendance took special
car over the Riverside & Suburban to the
pacLino houSsS and car works
The last paper read on the first day was
one by Colonel 3. III. Campbell on Horse
Raising for Profit" and it was impossible
to put the same in yesterdays paper as al
ready there were seven columns of the as
ISOLATION matter, and as it will be read
with interest today as we'll as Yesterday it
is given and is as follows:
We start out with the proposition that a
system of mixed husbandrv will soon be
adopted by the average Kansas farmer.
Ibis means the breeding Of cattle, horses,
swine and sheep, and even chickens, and
the production of all the grains and grasses
adapted to our soil and climate. The first
question which a European farmer asks is,
NV bat can | raise that will be fairly re
munerative and add something to the fer
tility of the soil ?''-the two factors always
to be considered together, and il the tenant
farmer does not observe this rule the Eng
lish landlord would compel him to do so
The American farmer asks: What can /
raise which will give the quickest ana
largest returns!" The farmers of our
eastern and middle states have already
learned lesson in this regard, and now by
the use of costly commercial fertilizers
they are seeking to restore to their lands
the natural fertility they SO imprudently
destroyed. 1t is not the object at this
time, and indeed it should not be necessary
at any time, to make an argument to
prove to my farmer friends in Kansas that
they should raise no more grain than their
livestock will consume; or, to put it in an
other form, that they should raise as much
livestock as viii consume their grain and
hay, produced under AN Intelligent system
of mixed husbandry and crop rotation.
Granted that it is part of our business
to raise horses, we wilt address ourselves
to the real object of this paper, which is to
urge upon our farmers the advantage OF
the heavy, or all-purpose horse,
and to warn them, especially our young
IA mers, against the fascination of breed
ing horses for speed, or light horses for
any purpose. The question should be:
" hat kind of horse is most in demand In
he market? What horse sells quickest
and dearest? This question opens Il wide
field, and if not managed with care, and
specially with fairness, will lead u into "a
longer discussion than will be proper
At this time | mean by fair |
ness that we must assume such
things to be true, rs are self evident, and
that would consume too much time TO
prove in detail. For instance, 1t is appar-
ent that horse might be produced aud !
sold at 500 at a profit, while another pro-
1uced and sold for 500 would not pay first |
cost. 1t is safe to assume as business |
axiom that the thing sells best which sells |
quickest, and if this be true of things |
which consume nothing but room and in |
-erest, how much more true is it of ani-i
mails whose keep and care are the very
essence of their cost. But we have in our |
above assumed that the road |
1r light horse sold for 500. while the heavy /
Or business horse sold for 800, not because |
Il was true, but because even ii true, the |
would still be on the side of |
the heavy horse. Early matur- !
ty, active demand and ready sale are on /
.he side OF the heavy horse. Slow develop |
nent extra care and training, feed and |
oss of interest, and finally delay and ex-
oense in seeking buyer. all incidental to |
breeding fancy horses for the market, |
much more than consume the excess which |
We have assumed the light horse would |
BRING IN price over the heavy horse. |
But suppose We reverse the figures, and !
assume that the heavy horse sells for 500, |
while the little horse sells for out the 500. /
now appeal TO the farmers OF Kansas 20 |
'ay whether the latter prices are not really |
nearer the truth than the former. But we I
,re reminded by the advocates of breeding |
or speed that the trotting horse Dexter |
;olG at one time for $50, COO and Governor |
oprague for 81, $50. Axtell for sos, 000, and |
ne mare Sunol for $4,000 These state
ne nts are true in themselves, bat so far as |
giving good reason for breeding fer