The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1892-05-27
GREAT KANSAS.
Secretary Ruzk Shows How the
State Win Advance.



A correspondent Of the Topeka Cap
ital recently interviewed Secretary
RuslS at Washington as follows:
''What is your estimate Of Kansas as
an agriculture state, and of the prob
able agricultural development of the
states OF the west during tine next de-
cade?"
''I see no reason for arrest of agrI-
cultural progress in the west" said
Secretary Ruslz. Great common
yyealths like Kansas have sprung No in
two or three decades Some have ale
ready grown great from small begin
nings in a single decade Forty years
ago a few struggling settlements lit
orally fought for existence in Kansas.
Twenty years ago agricultural develop
ment was active in the eastern counties
had invaded the drier central areas,
and even ventured to attack tie more
arid western section, while the world
outside was prophesying disaster
for 'drOughty Kansas Yet settle
ment progressed, farms multiplied,
cultivation extended and settlers
Courageously mortgaged lands to build
houses and barns and to stoclEauc equip
their farms. Their faith was sublime
Their enterprise was audacious- Us it a
wonder that some, obllviOus of possible
drought, took heavy risks, met with
crop failures and finally yielded to the
sheriff? I am glad to hear that last
years abundant crops have discharged
indebtedness in all directions and are
fast dissipating the depression felt so
keculy by the class attempting home
making with small means under TEN
porarily adverse circumstance 1t re-
quires time to sUbdue a soil that has
been ages in forming, for generations
packed by the feet of buffalo and filled
to excess with mineral salts, by means
of the diligeut labor of cultivation and
the washing of irrigation or the geutler
showers of Heaven Every year of judi
ciOus cultivation amciorutcs and inn
proves the naturally rich but FOR a time
. iutractable soils, Hberates their tertili1-
ing clements, increases their available
plant food, and improves their filth and
ease of cultivation. With wisdom in
practice OF scientific agriculture the
farms of Kansas should increase in pro-
ductiveuess, and with the application
of the principles of "a wise rural economy
production viii become more profta ble
as It becomes more varied. But the
conservatism which will not change
obsolete methods, plant new crops, or
learn the science of marketing with
profit will not share in the improve
ment and prosperity which awaits the
progressive farmer of Kansas. Kansas
viii always be "a great coru-srowing
state and, as such, is especially inter
ested in all efforts made toward en-
| HANGING the value of that cereal The
work which the department has been
doing during the past two years
through its special agent IN Europe
towards making the people Of that
continent better acquainted with the
value of corn for human food and
| its availability as cheap and
nutritious substitute for other cereals,
/ Is beginning to be recognized
and, indeed has been referred to
! so much of late, that your people are
| doubtless familiar enough with the
/ work which we have been trying to DO,
! All government effort in this direction,
l however, must be actively and eneEgeU-
! ically supported by individual enter
prise; but I may mention incidentally
/ for their information that there seems
l TO be in Europe "a marked preference
] for purposes OF human food at least
l for white corn. The development OF
! the sorghum sugar industry, for W hich
! a large section of Kansas is eninently
/ adapted, viii also be, in my opinion, a
! large factor in the future prosperity of
/ your state A great future awaits the
! state of Kansas, and its farmers are Inc
| telligcut and wise enough to share
! equitably in its rewards of industry"
''What is your opinion of tine future
! of the sorghum sugar industry"
! In regard to the localities where sor-
] ghum cane viii grow to the best advaIl-
! tare it NAV be said that the sami-arid
/ regions Of the central southern part of
! the country are best for sorghum Be
! ginning in central southern Kansas and
] extending southwark through the Iu-
] dian territory. Oklahoma, into Arlzuu-
] sas and northern Texas and louisiana
are vast areas specially suited to the
! development OF sorghum cane with high
! sugar content"
''What do YOU think Of irrigation for
] the semi-arid lands of western Esausas?'
/ Irrigation is, of course, ca rtaiH to
/ come in time 70 those sections that are
] adapted to it. In some sections where
/ surface water is unavailable the only
] thing that can be done will be to utll-
/ lie the uuder1Ow water by a system OF
artesiau wells. Irrigation is already
! practiced to a considerable extent the
! world over, and its adoption only de
/ FOR agricultural products When
| ever that is sufficient to justify the
! immediate outlay involved, it viii be
/ undertaken. Hitherto, with the re-
| sources placed at the dispose. OF this
] department by congressional enact
/ ments, my efforts have been directed
l exclusively to accommodating al the In
/ formation possible which may be of use
| to our agriculture when the develop
| ment of the country and the demand IOl
] products which can best be produced
l bv a system of irrigation shall justify
/ the increased expense necessary 70
| bring a large section of the country I'M
| der irrigation. At present, you arS
/ aware, this inquiry is suspended by tnS
! expiration of the period covered 10y thl
| last congressional appropria5i sion for th'
! purpose"