Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-11-14
Highest Of all in Leavenng Powe-Laet US Govt Report
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ABAOLUTeIX PUNE
MISSION OF THE SAND HILLS.
A Suggestion Regarding an Undsvel.
oped Industry.
ABSOLUTELY Pune

a ouBkosti0n noBtIuln8 III VuuoVel
oped Industry.
For the Reflector
Adjoining the'corporate limits 0
Abilene and extending westward along
the old Santa Fe stage route, now tn,
line Of the Union Pacific railway, is ,
chain Of undulating sand hills ant
alternating plain, bounding th'
smoky Hill valley on the north, ant
supposed to have been in prehistoric
times the shore line Of mighty river
Less than century ago these sand
dunes and plains were a dreary, bar
rem waste, drifting, shifting and
changed back and forth by the fierce
Kansas winds, prevailing then as now,
the home Of prairie dogs, owls and
rattlesnakcs, and an integral part Of
the Great American desert so con-
spicuously outlined on the school at
las Of our boyhood days.
The germ seed Of vegetation found
lodgment in sheltered places, took
root, and in due time furnished pas
turage for herds Of buffalo, elk, deer
and wild horses until supplanted by
the long-horned Texas steer and his
picturesque adjunct, the festive cow
boy
No intrinsic value was attached to
this territory except for grazing pur-
poses, and the widest Of optlmists
never dreamed of its conversion to
agricultural pursuits. But quarter
of century Of experiment has discov-
cred wonderful fecundity, marvellous
drouth resisting qualities and pecu-
liar adaptation to the culture Of GER
tain lines Of vegetation, notably mel
ons, but particularly sweet potatoes.
The yield is product that for deli
icacy Of flavor, dnenessof grain, quail
ity and quantity, is not excelled, II
outside the state Of Geor-
gia.
1t is in evidence that in twenty con-
sccutive years culture Of this tubcr
there has never been a failure nor
serious crop shortage, and at least
one farmer in the vicinity of Abilene
has made a marked success on eighty
acres of barren sand hills, while scores
Of his compeers with twice the capital,
on double the area Of supposed better
land, were lamcntablc failures at mis-
cellancous farming.
In view Of these facts we are i'm
pressed and urge that it is in the line
Of wisdom and sound policy to develop
this industry by growing in car lots
for shipment to outside points,
The doubling pessimlst will no
doubt question "but where is your
marketp' In answer, we must hunt
\ market or create one'as did Greeley,
Colorado, for her Irish tuber, as did
California for her surplus fruit, by
forwarding sample lots for testing and
proof Of superior excellence.
II by reason Of financial stress or
,ther cause II is impracticablc or inn
possible TO develop the possibilities Of
irrigation, lit is simpracticablc or i'm
possible to impound and hold the
storm waters for purpose OF evapora-
ion and increased humidity, then 1t
)ehooves us to do the next best thing,
% grow those crops and till that
quality Of soil best suited to our
climatic conditions and requiring the
minimum Of moisture.
We believe it is within the bounds
II possibility to build up an extensive
md lucrative business along this line
md make OF Abilene a shipping
point and Mecca for sweet potatoes
IS is Greeley for the Irish tuber. In
he language of the beloved Sellers, !
there's millions in it"--or less. Il