Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1892-05-28

A correspondent OF the Topeka Cap
ital recently interviewed Secretary
Rusl Mt Washington as follows:
"What is your estimate of Kansas as
an agricultural state, and of the prob
able agricultural development of the
states of the west during the next de-
cade?"
IL see no reason for arrest of agri-
cultural progress in the west" said
Secretary Rusk. Great common
wealths like Kansas have sprung up in
two or three decades. Some have al
ready grown great from small begin
nings in single decade. Forty years
ago 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 venturcd to attack the 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 stockand equip
their farms. Their faith was sublime.
Their enterprise was audacious. Is it n
wonder that some, oblivious of possible
drought, took heavy risks, met with
crop failures and finally yielded to the
sheriff? | am glad to hear that last
years abundant crops have discharged
Indebtedness in all directions, and are
fast dissipating the depression felt so
kecnly by the class attempting home
making with small means under tenn
por5lrily adverse circumstances. 1t re-
uuires time to subdue soil that has
been ages in forming. for generations
hacked BY the feet of buffalo and filled
to excess with mineral salts, by means
Of the diligent labor of cultivation and
the washing of irrigation or the gentlcr
showers of Heaven. Every year of judi
cious cultivation ameliorates and i'm
proves the naturally rich but for time
,ntractable soils, liberates their fertiliz-
ing elements, 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-
ductiveness, and with the application
of the principles of u wise rural economy
production will become more profitable
as il 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
will always be great corn-growing
state. and. as such, is especially inter-
ested in all efforts made toward en-
hancing 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
It's availability as cheap and
nutritious substitute for other cereals,
is beginning to be recognized
and. indeed. has been referred to
80 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,
however. must be actively and energet-
ically supported by individual enter
nrise: but may mention incidentally
for their information that there seems
To be in Europe marked preference,
for purposes of human food, at least,
Cor white corn. The development of
the sorghum sugar industry, for which
a large section of Kansas is eminently
adapted, will also be, in my opinion,
large factor in the future prosperity OF
vonr state. A great future awaits the
state of Kansas, and its farmers are in
telliOcnt and wise enough to share
eouitablv in it's rewards of industry"
t'What is your opinion of the future
of the sorghum sugar industry"
ssIn regard to the localities where sor-
Chum cane will grow to the best advan-
taco il NAV be said that the semi-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 In
dian territory, Oklahoma, into Arkan-
.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 seIni-arid lands of western Kansas
Irrigation is, of course, certain to
come in time to 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 util.
ize the underhow water by system OF
artesian wells. Irrigation is already
Uracticed To- a considerable extent the
world ever. and its adoption only de-
ponds upon the extent of the demand
for agricultural products. When
ever that is sufficient to justify the
Immediate outlay involved, it will be
undertaken. Hitherto, with the re-
sources placed at the disposal OF this
department by congressional enact
ments, ny efforts have been directed
exclusively TO accommodating all the In