The Globe-republican., 1894-06-29
Home Comforts in Dodge City

Home Comforts in Dodge City.
1t does one good to take look at wha,
can be made ont of our fertile soil by usin.
a little water to start trees along and help
vegetation through dry spell. Yesterday
We were driving past Charley Beeman's
home in the west part Of the city, and see
ing Charley out in the grounds. it looked
so cool and pleasant under the trees. we
concluded to accept his cordial invitation
to enter the leafy paradise. Three years
ago Mr.. Beeman commenced planting trees.
Forest trees, mulberry trees and peach
trees were planted that season. The tops
Of some Of the forest trees are now as high
or higher than the caves Of his dwelling,
which stands twenty two feet above the
foundation walls. We we'll remember eat
ing peaches from one of the trees, which
were Of most delicious flavor and very
large size. This season the mulberry trees
were loaded with mulberries which look
like large blackberries. and are juicy, re-
freshing and Of good flavor. Next season
he planted between the rows of forest
trees, cherry trees, blue damsOn plum trees,
wild goose plum trees, ounce trees, walnut
trees, raspberry vines and current bushes.
Those little cherry trees were about as full
as they could stick of red cherries, the last
Of which were gathered the same day we
were there. The blue dam>on plums were
about the size OF pigeon eggs, while the
wild goose plums were still larger. Black
cap raspberries showed amid the green
foliage, green, red and black, according to
degrees Of maturity and ripeness. Berries
from fragrant currents back east were not
thought of in connection with fruit, but
our soil and climate has added such flavor
to those in Mr.. Beeman's garden tina. they
are really delicious, to eat as sauce, make
pies, or just as they come from the vines E;
We tried the latter method and found them
very delectable. The cutest thing on tho
place was little ounce tree not over two
feet high with several ounces on it.
A remarkable and unique feature of this
grove of fruit and forest trees is that
though so close together as to shade all the
ground, there is thick growth of alfalfa
everywhere among them, and the purple
blossoms added to the beauty of the scene
and kept out all weeds. Not only does
this alfalfa add to the beauty Of the grounds
by keeping out unsightly and noxiOus
weeds, and by its fresh, green leaves and
purple, fragrant bloom, but it is one Of the
most useful additions to the place, fer the
fowls keep fat Oh it, two hogs in the sty
live on that and what waste comes
from the table. The crop has been moved
twice for hay already and the family
carriage horse is permitted to Craze at
times among the trees and fatten on this
sncculent forage.
Aside from the trees and shrubbery the
vegetable garden is most substantial
source of supply for the family table.
There were tomatoes larger than hens
eggs, new potatoes of sufficient size for
table use. though last years supply raised
in the same garden was not yet exhausted,
and this year there will be considerable
surplus. Peas, r;,dishes, lettuce and onions
they have had in abundance from earliest
springtime, and beans galore. Beets were
also plentiful.
Adjoining Mr.. Beeman's premises On the
west is lot set IN alfalfa. This plant al
ways looks good when on the bottom of
the Arkansas valley, and the stand here is
a little over knee high and beginning to
bloom. We were surprised to learn from
Mr.. Beeman that it has been only two
weeks since he had the hay hauled off the
lot, and now it is ready 20 move again.
The stable, with stalls for four horses,
was we'll stored with sweet scented alfalfa
hay, and new laid eggs in nests here and
theie. This is a II second bottom. twelve
or fifteen feet above sheet water.
After looking over the grounds we went
in the house. There are four rooms on the
first floor, with pantries and closets con-
arranged, and cellar underneath.
Up stairs are two well ventilated roomy
bedrooms. The ceilings Of the lower rooms
are twelve feet high and throughout the
walls are plastered and neatly papered,
which gives them very civilized appear
2Ece indeed.
Mr.. Beeman has leased tract Of land
eas: Of and adjoining his home, put it
under fence and will seed to alfalfa. This
viii make quite n nice addition to Mr.
Beeman's income. No danger of the
traditional wolf getting near Mr.. Bee
mans door.