Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-04-11
The Elementary Colors are Corn,
Cane, Wheat, Rye, Barley, oats
and Flax-The First Kansas
Crop Report for the Year
other State News.

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some sections of western Kansas
wheat made small growth in the
fall by reason of dry weather and the
drouth being continued into early
winter there was much anxiety among
the farmers with respect to its cOndi-
ton. The winter, being extremely
mild. and later on moisture came in
the form of snow. and in March abun-
dant rains fell. bringing out the wheat
in splendid shape. Probably the
plant has never shown a more vigOr-
GUS and thrifty growth throughout
the state at this date than at present.
The winter being extremely mild and
feed abundant, stock generally win
tered we'll.
SUMMARY
The increase in area sOwn to wheat
in the state in the fall of 1888 as com
pared with that sown in the previous
year is "a per cent, which gives a to.
tai area for the state of 1886, 427
acres, or an excess of 357 ,4S4 acres
over that of the previous year. The
per cent reported winter killed am
cunts practically to nothing. Gener-
al condition Of the plant as compared
with full stand and unimpaired vitali-
ty, is practically 100 per cent.
Rve.-Area sown to rye in the fall
of 1888 varies bnt little from that
sown the previous year. and condition
of plant 100 per cent compared with
average condition.
Live stock.-Live stock, with the
exception of few cases of distemper
among horses and cholera in mild
form among hogs. is generally free
from disease and in good condition.
The season.-The season is report
ed throughout the state as at least two
weeks earlier than usual, and the
ground amply supplied with moisture
and generally in an excellent condi-
ton for spring crops.
Chinch bugs.-Chinch bugs are re-
ported in few counties in the state.
but not in sufficient numbers to ex-
cite alarm among farmers.
On the whole the condition of the
state is excellent, and the farmers are
greatly encouraged and hopeful.
NATIONAL RESERVOIRS.
President A. W. Smith and Hon.
Joshua Wheeler, of the state board of
were among Secretary
Mothers callers Yesterday. The
members of the board have not had
much to say thus far in regard to the
appropriation just made by congress
of s25O,OOO for making surveys on
the western plains for the purpose of
beginning the construction of ma
tional system of reservoirs for the
storages of water to be used in irriga-
ton. The fact is that but very
small section of this state requires il.
rigation, but Kansas should see that
she is not left out in the arrangements
for one of the greatest public enter.
prises ever undertaken by any gov
eminent in the world. A select com.
mlttee of the senate has been appoint
ed to examine the matter thoroughly,
and report what Legislation is dcsira-
BILE for the reclamation of the arid re-
slons. There can be no question in
regard to the adaptation of the plains
OF western Kansas and of Colorado to
general agriculture. Indeed. that en-
tire region which, ten years ago. was
supposed to be fit only for grazing
purposes, is already passing into the
hands of small farmers. Within the
last two years settlement has been
pouring in until already the western
counties of Kansas have a population
Of three or four thousand. In a few
remote sections there is no water ex-
cept what is obtained from wells sew.
enty-five or hundred feet deep. This
whole region, it has till now been SUD- |
posed, was untitled for agriculture. It |
les from three to four thousand feet |
above sea level. 1t has no streams
md no lakes. Yet population, pass
ng west from the meridian of Els
worth. has little nv Eftla o.aa