The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1894-03-02
Didn't Have the Ear Marks.
GLOBE-REPuBLICAX:

GLOBE-REPUBLICAK:
In the last issue of your paper noticed
an article taken from the Wichita Eagle.
purporting to be an extract from my pa
per on Alfalfa, read before the state board
of agriculture at Topeka. l do not recog-
nize any part of the Eagles article as be-
ing any part of my address. and would ask
your readers and all interested in alfalfa
culture to read the article pub lished in the
GLOBE RFPUBLICAN Of January 2Sth
am not, nor do at this or any other
time, claim to be the discoverer this crop,
or its adaptability to our valley and the irri'
gated high lands Egotism / abominate
afoot or horseback. The clipping above
referred to was full Of it, hence this letter.
The late F. c. Zimmerman sowed the
first field Of alfalfa on his farm several
years ago. 1t proved success from the
start. At the time Of his death he had in
contemplation the seeding Of more acres
The work that has since been accomplished
has been but the cOnsummati0n in large
part of his ideas and plans. That we have
been successful does not necessitate tie use
of the personal pronoun, 1, for there are
many farmers along the Arkansas valley
who have done just as well or better in
the cultivation of this. plant.
The alfalfa root possesses the strongest
capillary power, and along the valley
reaches the wet sands and draws moisture,
so that it thrives in the driest weather.
But when cut the root does not become an
artesian we'll. GlObuless OF water do not
stand OUT Oh the cut stems. In my paper
l did advise the farmers, where possible,
to fence their grain and feed crops,
and devote more attention to raising
cattle. No place in thisseonntry can steer
be raised 50 cheap as on cur prairies. The
summer and winter grazing is at your
door, and in the storms you have stock to
eat the surplus straw and fodder. 1t is
for the farmer on the prairie to raise the
steers. We can not do it in the valley be-
cause we have not tive grazing land. We
are hedged i'm on all sides, but we can buy
your steers and prepare them for market as
first-class feeders. That means money
means success aud prosperity for both up
land and valley. The duty of writing on
this subject of alfalfa was never sought,
but has always been at the request of the
Secretary of the Board of Agriculture. l
have been very careful not to exaggerate,
and only made statements that could be
verified by the experience of my ncighbors
and myself. The truth is good enough.
IRIS mighty and shall prevail. The most
prosperous farmers of to-day are the grow
ers of alfalfa. While commercial and
industries are nearly paral-
yzed over the agricultural out look in 9TH
er states gloomy and discouraging. out
here with us the future never looked
brighter along the valley than it does to-
day, and this without egotism or exagger-
alton.
1t is my opinion, from letters received
aud interest aroused a piece of valley land
will be hard to get at any reasonable figure
Inc short time. 1t is my opinion that
the foundation for comfortable fortunes is
being laid by our alfalfa farmers, and this
during a time of the greatesr depression
this country has known of recent years.
j. III. CHURCHILL.