The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-04
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NJ. VI. MURDOCH Editor
NEW CROPS FOR KANSAS.

baue+ibIe fertility. lacking only in an
adequate water supply to be unequaH-
ed in the production of crops. Western
Kansas because Of a lack OF rainfall
IS often denominated semi-arid- Ihe
soils of. central Kansas partake largely
Of the character Of western Kansas
but with a vegetable residium FREEDOM
mating. The normal rainfall Of central
Kansas barely reaches the crop stand
ard for corn and for some other pro
ducts although abundant for wheat.
With the accommodating experience OF
occurring wears the farmers Of western
and central Kansas are more and more
successful in adapting their crops to the
climate and soil. For every species OF
livestock central and western Kansas
are the most healthful and successful
No where else does the hog, the horse
and the COW more greatly prosper or
attain finer perfection. There are only
the questions Of the best grains the
hest fruits and the best roots for the
soil and climate. These are rapidly
and satisfactorily being determined.
OF course in all this We offer nothing
that is new.
All that we say Of western ana cen
trail Kansas in respect to soils ana en-
matte conditions is true Of central ana
western Oklahoma, as is that territory
also a superior livestock country
In these connections a recent occur
renee becomes Of great Importance and
about which every farmer Of central
and western Kansas and central and
western Oklahoma should thoroughly
most themselves. A few Of the details
pf the matter viii be found in the
Eagles Wednesday mornings dis
patches from Washington, which give
the results Of the researches Of one
Niels T., Hansen, sent out by the agrl-
cultural department to study the fruit
grain and root products Of eastern
Europe and Of Asia, especially Of those
best adapted to the soil and climate Of
the United States and which would
have a market value in this country
That which so interested US VIII be
found in the fact that Fansen-who, by
the way, is an agricultural professor
from South Dakota-devotes most Of
his report to eastern Russia, the Trans
Caucasia, Russian Turkestan, western
China and Siberia, ali countries favor
ing more particularly the climates Of
western Kansas, western Nebraska,
western Oklahoma, the Dallotas and
Texas. The steppes Of Siberia are like
the prairies Of Kansas, Nebraska and
the Dakotas as two peas, in average
soil and climate. Hansen searched in
particular for grains fruits and roots
that would thrive under any amount
of hot. open, dry sunshine, or, in other
words. that would flourish in spite of
heat and drouth. He brings back after
a years search three car loads of seeds.
Among other things which VIII par
ticularly interest the cattle growers
among the Eagles readers is a native
alfaIfa Of central Asia, which in being
distinct sub-species Of our common
Kansas alfalfa, is greatly superior to
st in extent of root system and conse-
quent capacity for resisting drouth and
heat This alfalfa goes down after its
own moisture with its roots and down
until it is found in sufficient quantities
fer the above-ground plant, whether
there is rain or not. The chances are
that this alfalfa would flourish on the
plains Of western Kansas as Russia has
propogated it successfully in European
Russia east of the volga and in south
ern Siberia.
For the benefit Of the readers of the
weekly edition of the Eagle who do not
Bee the daily. we can do no better than
reproduce the concluding paragraphs
Of the dispatch enumerating the discov-
cries of Hansen, and which read as fol-
lows:
The uuskmelons of Russian Turk
cstan. Bokhara, Khiva and Trans eau
casia were deemed worthy of introduc-
ton. Many varieties ran from % to 20
pounds in weight oval in shape. flesh
snow-white, melting and superior in
quality to any American variety. Some
varieties keep all winter and form one
Of the principal articles Of food of the
natives. Seed of a large number of va
rieties was saved from melons bought
on the spot.
A large quantity Of pits of the
choicest varieties Of the Vladimir race
Of cherries of eastern Russia was oh
tanned from carefully selected fruit.
These come practically true to seed.
bear fruit of large size and excellent
quality ana endure 80 degrees below
zero Fahrenheit These trees. how
ever, are a distinct race of cherry and
must be grown from seed or sprouts
in The true Russian fashion as they are
short-lived and tender when grated or
budded on the common commercial
mazzard and mahaleb stocks Of the
nurseries.
one thousand plants, the entire OBJ
tainable stock, was secured Of new
species of raspberry of semi-recumben,
habit recently discovered by explorers
in the mountains of extreme northern
China. The fruit is orauEe-yeuow in
color, Of large size and of peculiar bu,
Very pleasant layor. The plant has
proven hardy az ST Petersburg. Tas.
is a new departure in raspbe-gles. and
is worthy ~ Eeueral trial.
Solons OF some new hybrids Of the