The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-03-06


the cream of Southern Kansas. This
valley, from its earliest Indian history,
has been known as the "Starmless Val
lew The oldest inhabltant here cannot
recall destructive storm. The climate
is in wonderful contrast with that of
Northern Ohio As | read in late num-
Der of the independents of snow being
sixteen inches deep on the level in the
woods" and the second crop of ice mime
inches thick" felt that it should be
suffering Ohio" and not suffering
Kansas.
In the seven years we have been here,
the thermometer has reached zero but
twice: and natural ice has been gathered
but twice. We have very little snow
not half an inch this winter. The days
are mostly bright and sunny. There IS
no deep frost to come out of the ground
in the spring, and no deep mud at any
time. The roads are good the year round,
and there are but very few days III The
entire year when farmer cannot take
his load to market. We have many
people here in this city who
have spent winters in Southern
California, and they prefer the climate
of southern Kansas. There is a lady in
this city vino came here seven years ago
from near Cleveland. being told by her
physicians that she could not live two
years longer, who is now strong and
healthy. Such cases are numerous.
The soil in this valley is deep, rich, and
inexhaustible, and will produce in luxur-
ious abundance all the grains, vegetables
and fruits that can be grown anywhere
in the temperate zone. The soil and
climate are especially favorable TO fruit
of all kinds. | remember that Waite
HIP has become noted for its fine
peaches. | have raised on my own lots
about my house in this city larger aud
finer peaches than Waite Hill ever pro-
duced, and bushels. Six trees of seed
lingS we never touched at all last year
we had so many that were larger and
better of the budded fruit. | never saw
anywhere finer display Of large and
beautiful apples than were shown at the
Sedgwick county fair in this city last
fall. Apricots, nectarines. pears, all
kinds OF plums and cherries grow IN
abundance. Sweet potatoes are very
prolific and fully equal to the Jerseys.
One farmer near the city raised 1880
bushels last season and now has on hand
1900 bushels that he will get S1.00 per
bushel for this spring. This same man,
by the way, bought his farm of so acres
ten years ago, assuming debt of $780,
and had but $500 in cash left. That
debt is paid, $500 house is built, 40
acres more land, and all paid for Con-
sidering the increased value of his prop
erty, this is a good result for ten years of
not hard work His farm is also well
stocked. Scores have done as well and
some better. Watermelons make a
wonderful growth on this soil. Wagon
loads of them come into the city, weigh
ing from 80 to 60 pounds each. They
Were shown at the fair from 60 to 50
pounds each. One of the largest seed
houses in this country has all its melon
seeds grown IN Kansas. Farmers plant
100 acres and more. Peanuts also grow
with much thrift and pay for raising
with variety of crops. Castor beans
and flax can be made profitable. 1t has
been a great mistake in the past of the
farmers putting in all their titled land
into one crop-corn or wheat. This Is
being changed, and farmers are planting
variety, OF engaging more in ''diversi-
fed farming.
The mild climate and short winters
make this country as favorable for all
kinds of stock-raising as for titled crops.
Stock needs little shelter during the WIN
ter. The native grasses are very nutri-
tious ant, uncut, furnish food all the
year round. The tame grasses do not
flourish so well. Clover, however, does
well, ami is raised to quite an extent.
Alfalfa grows very ldxurianly. Two
and sometimes three crops are cut In the
season. This makes good feed for all
kinds of stock, green or cured. Espec-
tally does it make good pasture feed for
hogs, and will put them in good condi-
ton to finish off with little corn. Kan
sas has as fine stock as can be found any
where. There are many choice herds of
Short Horns, Herefords, Attorneys, Hol-
stems, and other leading breeds. OF
swine, the Poland Chinas are the most
raised, because the most healthy and the
most profitable. There are many ''horse
ranches" in Southern Kansas where the
very best stock is raised from imported
blood. Horse-breederS say that horse
bred and raised in Southern Kansas will
reach his growth and full development
year earlier than in the eastern states.
So, no matter what branch Of farming
man wishes TO engage in, he will find
the climate and soil of Southern Kansas
all the conditions and resources, which,
if properly utilized, will insure him sue
cess and bring him wealth and health.
A business man, skilled in any depart
ment. with force and energy, can find
abundant opportunities to make money
in Southern Kansas. A young man, am
1 h. Co he ic
industrious and has good habits-even
though he have no money to start with
can accomplish more and in less time
in this country than III any other place
know of. Such | advise to come.
Kansas is vet in her infancy. Though
her growth and advancement so far
have been rapid and marvellous, vet her
achievements in the past will seem small
and insignificant when compared with
the progress and development she will
make in the future The opportunities
are great and energy will so utilize them
as to carry its DoSSeSSorS on to fortune.