Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-19
SECRETARY RUSK TALKS.
he Resources of the Western Valley
States Dwelt Upon.

st. JOSEPH, MO, StpL. 10 Ioti''y lo,OO'
people were in the ampitheater Of the New
Era exposition to listen to an address by
Hon. j. NJ. Rusk, secretary Of agriculture.
The secretary and party, consisting OF
Prof. b. T. Galloway, chief secretary OF
vegetable paleOntology, Prof. II. Wiley
chief chemist of the department, DR.. ID. f.
Saleman. chief of tie bureau of animal Ill,
dustry, and O. ID. Lawdow, private secre-
tary, arrived in st. Joseph this morning
oyer the Burlington from Chicago IL
charge of Colonel A. {. Dawes, chairman
of the reception committee. They were
met at the depot 10y Balch's Milwaukee
Land and escorted to the hotel. From IL
to IL a. m an informal reception
was held in the hotel parl0rs,
TO the party by Colonel Dawes and u. j.
Englehart, mayor OF the city.
After dinner drive was taken over the
city and the exposition grounds were
rea ehed by 3 D. m Secretary Rusk was
introduced by Hon. Il. p. Wilson. men,
Der of congress from the Fourth Missouri
district.
Mr.. Rusk thanked the people for their
cordial welcome and expressed sympathy
with the management of the exposition in
the loss sustained by them in the great
fire of Saturday night. Continuing, he
said:
IF taking st. Joseph as a center we de-
scribe q circle having a radius OF 533 miles
we shall fiGd ourselves meeting today IN a
location which marks the very heart OF
The continent and we shall occupy the CEN
Ter of a circle which may well be called re-
markabie for the diversity of Its produc-
ton, its wondrous yield ana for its agri-
cultural activity, the pioneer homesteader
md the ranchman. 1t Is the sphere OF
western agriculture providing the
cotton of the world, the corn of home con-
sumption and foreign commerce, the wheat
which is the bread of nations, the oats for
The horses aud men OF armies, to say moth
ing of rye and barley and a large portion
Of the smoking and chewing tobacco of the
world. 1t is the region which furnishes
most of the surplus products OF agriculture
Of the United States. The diStinctiyeiy
American crop corn, bv far the most vaiu-
able product of our arabic culture. has its
best development, its largest breadthwlthin
the charmed circle. The finest corn in the
United States is now ripened or ripening
in the valley of the Missouri, without the
slightest reference to ancient lines OF long
tude, bearing ali profitable cultivation it
is growing right up to the western line of
Kansas and Nebraska and is more
promising today III the eastern
counties of Colorado than in
the states OF our northern border, while
corn Is found in every state and territory
in the country. II u not very wide OF the
s. riot truth to say that It's development
and productivencss declines IN the ratio of
ihe distance outward from the center
The circle include aboat Cue-SiXtn Of the
superficial area q the Cmted States, and
its products this year about Is per cent Of
me corn crop of the country. In the same
area about 30 per cent Of the wheat crop is
grown. 1t is the region from which
nearly all the exports OF wheat or -four
are taken. The cattle of the country are
vastly more diGused than the corn or
wheat. yet within TINS circle are found
about IS per cent OF the cattle of the Uni
tea States. No other district of equal size
can possibly calm superiority and in many
respects, no one can assert, equally with
this circle of the central valley lands of
the American continent
Il have come here at the ur-
gent invitation OF the officers
# this exposition and am
glad of my ability TO accent. If by my
presence here shall testify 30 my belief
in the good effect of such exhibitions IS
find here, esp. C;3lly 10 the farming class,
for it Is 10 that class / would speak Dart.c-
ularly. | believe in associated cndeavOr
TO improve the condition Of the farmer: I
believe il the frequent interchange of
II
through the local farmers club or oranges.
the county organization, the state associa-
ton or the interstate exhibition. or
through that mighty lever which. in my
opinion. Is TO make il SUpremaly potent in
the future-the farmers i-stitute Il j
these factors which are to DE the guide for
the farmer OF the future and which are 10
lead him To still higher planes OF progress,
of prosperity, than he has hitherto enioved.
All honor 10 the promoters of
this exposition, say J. and 10
the officers who have brought
to IL such success from an educational
point of point OF view. All honor to those
who have the saSaclly and the enterprise
10 furnish such al incentive to the pro
gressive farmer that he is enabled 10 re-
ceive for the best twelve ears of corn ex
hlbited here more than $40 per ear: honor
them and encourage them. you farmers.
You citizens also, Tor they richly deserve
-FOUR plsuditS
1t Is not only as an officer of the gov
n ment, bat Is plain farmer that |
would speak with you today, for | am
proud OF that title, my friends. | owe all
/ am today to the farm. | was raised and
brought up there, and farming has been
my LIES occupation and study. Every
thing have done has been subordinate 10
that, and farming viii be my Ife's devo-
ton TO the end. There may be those who
have brought dishou0r to that calling, but
:he calling never brought dishonor or dis
credit TO ANY one aud never will
Tomorrow morning the party leaves for
Kansas, going first 10 Topeka. thence TO
Liberal, Mead. AttIca, and Arkalon 10
examine the sorghum industry. Return
I3S -he party VIA N--. y Wichita. Emporia.
Conway Spf-ls-, er- Scott and Kansas
tlty, Kan. From tla latter place they
VIII 80 direct 10 " as4Iugtou.
WINNERS Al GRAVESENO.