Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-12-28
Plains FARMING.

we publish the following from the
pen of Prof. Shelton, not because
we wish to be understood as giving
our endorsement thereto, but rather
for the reason that we like to fur
nish our readers with both sides to
all important questions. Prof.
Skeletons theory we think is not
borne out by the facts nor by ex-
perience. It is easy to make asser-
tons and it is easy to formulate a
theory, but practical agriculturalists
usually prefer their own experience
and observation, in matters pertain
ing to their vocation, to whole vol
umes of literature written by the
aid Of electric or gas light by those
who never held the handles Of a
pillow in their lives. The experience
Of all farmers who have lived in
central Kansas for any length of
time is that the climate and seasons
have changed very materially within
the last twenty or even ten years.
That cultivation will modify the
climate is proposition that cannot
be successfully disputed. A great
deal Of the Prof.'s letter we can en-
dorse. That farming and stock
raising should go together is an
axiom, and will apply with the
same force to any agricultural COM
munity:
We have already seen that western
Kansas differs from the eastern portion
OF the State in we'll nigh all essential ag-
ricultural conditions. In elevation, char
acter Of soil, rainfall and natural products
there is between two sides. or rather
ends OF the state not merely difference,
but radical and fundamental diver
gence. And these differences will be in
the future essentially what they have
been in the past. OF course, seasons will
vary here as elsewhere. speak with a
fair knowledge OF the literature of this
subject and a considerable acquaintance
with the agricultural history of our state,
and I-haye no hesitation in saying that
there is no warrant in history or local ex-
perience for the well-nigh universal be-
lief that deep plowing," "foresting,"
turning under the buffalo grass" build
ing reservoirs" will each or all ever
change the agricultural conditions which
the settler of any section finds when he
begins these and other improvements.
The common notion that change of
climate will come as a result of growing
more trees and cultivated plants seems to
me wholly due to false logic; vegetation
is due to climate, and not climate to veg
citation.
Stock-raising mdst be the basis of
plains farming. Even if grain crops for
marketing could be safely
counted on, 1t is doubtful whether, con-
sidering the remoteness of this section
from ultimate markets, and the high
price OF freights, whether the business
can be made paying enc. Moreover,
the farmers who have made stock farming
their chief reliance have generally been
successful. The men who have been
compelled to flee from western Kansas
have almost to man been exclusive |
grain raisers. The stockmen have stayed
and. as rnie, they have hourished.
The eastern idea that farm of 100
acres Is sufficient for the maintenance of |
a family must. upon the plains, outside Of |
irriga5le regions, be forever abandoned. |
Where onts;do nScfurooa 10 not occo.
sible, the plains farmer ought not to |
limit his operations to a sm,ller farm
than $40 acres, and in most cases thou |
sand acres will not be too large. Upon |
such farms the native grasses, supple |
mensed with rye and wheat pasturage,
and sorghum and corn fodder and millet |
hay, will keep herd of cattle or flock of |
eheep OF sufficient sixe to make profit |
from the operations cf tho farm veil nigh |
cegtains Upon thsee flrzs only ~ hkl